How Democrats Can Change Their Message on Homelessness and Public Safety

This week, host and NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan speaks with San José, CA, Mayor Matt Mahan, who was elected two years ago on his promise to tackle the city’s most intractable problems like homelessness, crime, and traffic. Mayor Mahan talks about his recently announced "Responsibility to Shelter” initiative, which makes historic investments in intermittent housing and supportive shelters while creating accountability for homeless residents to go indoors. Debbie and the mayor also discuss his advocacy for California’s Proposition 36, which increases penalties for petty theft and public drug use and which passed as a ballot measure with over 68% of the vote last November. Mahan reflects on the opposition he faced from Democratic colleagues on the issue and the lessons he learned from that experience on how Democrats can strengthen their message on crime, homelessness, and the role of good governance. And, as the mayor of the capital of Silicon Valley, and co-chair of the NewDEAL Forum AI Task Force, he explains how the city is utilizing artificial intelligence to improve government services, including by optimizing bus routes and detecting and repairing potholes. Tune in to hear about Mayor Mahan's journey from his rural hometown to his career in tech startups and what inspired him to run for elected office. 

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [02:21] Responsibility to Shelter: holding unhoused individuals accountable.

• [06:07] Expanding low-barrier housing with dignity and support in the face of controversy.

• [08:40] Addressing addiction and mental health as public health crises.

• [10:32] Proposition 36 and the need for more inpatient mental health and addiction treatment.

• [14:54] A political perspective: why Democrats must prioritize results-driven governance.

• [18:34] Using AI to make government better by improving transit, city services, and efficiency.

• [22:38] How San Jose uses performance-based budgeting to drive its four key priorities.

• [26:26] Mayor Mahan’s theory of change and the role of government in delivering real results.

• [29:19] His journey from small farming town to tech entrepreneur to public servant.