Biff_Poindexter
Diamond Member
Governor wants alternatives to homeless camping prohibition despite letting law take effect • Tennessee Lookout
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee declined to sign a bill criminalizing camping on public property, a measure targeted towards homeless people.
tennesseelookout.com
"Despite concerns about the bill, Lee allowed legislation outlawing camping on public property, a measure targeting the homeless population to become law. That means homeless people who sleep on park benches or gather in encampments on public property could be arrested and charged with a felony; based on the legislation championed by Sen. Paul Bailey, a Sparta Republican, and Rep. Ryan Williams, R-Cookeville. Bailey’s bill drew heavy criticism during Senate floor debate with opponents arguing it could turn homeless people into felons, making it harder for them to get jobs and turn their lives in a new direction. Proponents hailed it as a method for connecting the homeless with more resources and, potentially, government benefits.
Judith Tackett, who once ran Metro Nashville’s homeless division, is among those trying to figure out why the law is needed. Metro Nashville has about 1,900 homeless people on any given day. Tackett, who hit a wall when she spoke against the legislation during committee, contends it made no sense to further “criminalize” people who are struggling to survive. Karen Bowdle, director of communications for Knox Area Rescue Ministries notes; "Felony convictions make it more difficult to find jobs, get housing, cast votes and obtain government benefits such as food stamps --they’re not going to be able to pay the fine. What good does a fine do? It’s just another thing on their record,” Bowdle also notes that no Knox County legislators contacted the ministry about the legislation when it surfaced this year, only the media."
First of all, the Governor is a coward to not be brave enough to sign the bill....also, spare us your claim that you aren't in favor of the bill and then be too afraid to veto it...that is also cowardly....Fact of the matter is, most homeless people are trash...and just like we don't allow trash on our streets, why do we allow bums to be on our streets? How is that freedom? ...Homelessness in the state has went up 50% over the past few years; so yes, something needs to be done to them...if they are too lazy to get a job and not be bums, throw them in jail....Yea, I know it's fun to say the economy is trash and there are no jobs -- but that is just something to say when you are pissed that your preferred party isn't in the White House anymore...it's not meant to be taken literally...and claiming inflation is a cause due to raising prices in rent and other things -- that isn't an excuse to complain about either....why can't they just get a loan from their parents??
So since we know there are plenty of jobs for homeless people to have, if they don't want to work....throw them in jail...at least there, they would have food and shelter..and a job...and at a far cheaper labor cost to the employer...that is why investment in private prisons at this time will be pretty lucrative. These private prisons are very adept at turning prison labor into profit for our manufacturing sector....And if you try to ask "what about the children??" We already have family detention centers on the border, so why not have family detention centers for the homeless...that way, the children of the homeless can also work and be useful; instead of being a drain on government resources like Medicaid, food stamps, etc....make them work and realize early on the value of work....
