[Publisher’s Note – We are pleased to offer this original commentary from longtime FR friend the Honorable Scott Mann. Mann is currently serving as Mayor of Menifee, which is located in the Inland Empire of Southern California — Flash]

The City of Menifee is on the record unanimously opposing AB 5, often called the Homeless Bill of Rights and Fairness Act. I appreciate that homelessness is a genuine community problem across the State of California which, in public discussion, excites strong feelings on all sides.

However, even the Los Angeles Times says “While we sympathize with its (AB 5’s) spirit, we don’t support it. The solution is not to sanction the culture of homelessness or to offer blanket approval for a way of life that society generally agrees should be ended.” (1/11/13)

This bill, which even its author, Assembly Member Ammiano, concedes is “aspirational,” would impose unfunded mandates upon cities while adding homelessness to a listing of protected classes. Under the bill, “life-sustaining activities that must be carried out in… Read More