‘Misleading’: San Jose mayor calls Newsom out over plan to clear homeless encampments

(KRON) — San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan has called out Gov. Gavin Newsom over an announced partnership between the state and the City of San Jose to clear homeless encampments. On Thursday, Newsom’s office announced that San Jose had entered into an agreement with Caltrans to help clear encampments off certain state land. The partnership, according to Newsom’s office, will be aimed at clearing encampments that have migrated onto state right-of-ways in the city.

Newsom announced the partnership with a news released headlined, “California to help San Jose lower its unsheltered homelessness through cooperative agreement.”

Mahan, responding on X, called the headline on the governor’s news release, “more than a little misleading.”

The partnership, according to Newsom’s office, will streamline the process of clearing encampments by authorizing the city to conduct removals operations directly. Under the agreement, the city will be required to conduct encampment cleanups and maintenance “in a manner aligned with state and local policies.”

“We are literally taking over the maintenance of state land because they can’t do it,” said Mahan in a follow-up tweet.

“But hey, if the governor needs to get credit to do the right thing (like some other politicians we know) we’ll let him have it,” he added, making an apparent reference to President Donald Trump.

According to Newsom’s office, encampments that pose health and safety risks, such as those located near active traffic lanes, confined spaces, and unstable structures, or where unhoused people face heightened injury risks, will be prioritized for cleanup. City landscape and maintenance crews will be responsible for removing litter, debris, weed, and resolving encampments.

“I’m glad to see San Jose stepping up with the state to reduce unsheltered homelessness and address encampments in the city,” Newsom said. “As a former mayor myself, I get how tough local management can be — but this is what partnership looks like — the city and state rolling up their sleeves to support this community together.”

“I’ll be out with our crews next week to work on the first site, and I hope you’ll come join us to see the situation firsthand,” Mahan said, tagging Newsom’s X handle.

In a statement sent to KRON4 Thursday evening, a spokesperson for Gov. Newsom said, “There’s no drama here, as much as the mayor seems to want to create one. We announced a new agreement with San Jose as approved by their city council and the mayor. We’re glad that the city is enthusiastic about completing the work they are being paid by the state to do, as is happening in 21 other California cities.” 

This is not the first time Mahan has butted heads with the governor. Last month, the mayor publicly criticized Newsom for his combative, Trump-parodying social media style.