>>> THIS PRODUCTION IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF AARP CALIFORNIA.

>> THE SACRAMENTO MAYORAL CANDIDATES DEBATE 2024 IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE SACRAMENTO BEE AND PBS KVIE, FEATURING CANDIDATES DR. FLOJAUNE COFER AND ASSEMBLYMEMBER KEVIN McCARTY.

OUR HOST AND MODERATORS, MARCOS BRETON AND SCOTT SYPHAX.

>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR TODAY'S SACRAMENTO MAYORAL DEBATE.

I'M SCOTT SYPHAX, HOST OF STUDIO SACRAMENTO, RIGHT HERE ON PBS KVIE.

I'M JOINED BY MY CO MODERATOR, MARCOS BRETON, LONG TIME COLUMNIST FOR THE SACRAMENTO BEE.

ALSO JOINING US, A STUDIO AUDIENCE WHO HAVE BEEN ASKED TO REFRAIN FROM APPLAUSE DURING THE DEBATE.

WELCOME.

TODAY, WE HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF HEARING FROM THE TWO CANDIDATES SEEKING TO BE THE NEXT MAYOR OF SACRAMENTO.

DR. FLOJAUNE COFER AND ASSEMBLYMEMBER KEVIN McCARTY.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> WE'LL BEGIN THE DEBATE WITH 60 SECOND OPENING REMARKS FROM EACH CANDIDATE, CANDIDATES WILL HAVE 90 SECONDS TO RESPOND FOLLOWED UP BY AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE OTHER CANDIDATE TO R REPLY.

SOME RESPONSES MAY RECEIVE FURTHER FOLLOW-UP FROM THE MODERATORS.

THE QUESTIONS WERE NOT SHARED WITH THE CANDIDATES IN ADVANCE.

TODAY'S DEBATE WILL CONCLUDE WITH BRIEF CLOSING STATEMENTS.

LET'S BEGIN WITH OPENING REMARKS FROM CANDIDATE COFER.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, MY NAME IS DR. FLOJAUNE COFER.

I AM RUNNING FOR MAYOR BECAUSE I LOVE SACRAMENTO.

TO THE UNIQUE EVENTS AND WONDERFUL FOOD FROM ALL THE WORLD.

SACRAMENTO IS A WONDERFUL PLACE.

OUR REGION IS FACING UNPRECEDENTED CHALLENGES, ESPECIALLY REGARDING HOMELESSNESS.

WE'VE SEEN TENT ENCAMPMENTS POP UP ALL OVER OUR CITY, WE'RE WATCHING PEOPLE ON OUR STREETS SUFFER WITH MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS.

PEOPLE LIVING IN HOMES ARE WONDERING IF THEY CAN CONTINUE TO LIVE IN THIS REGION AND IF THERE'S A FUTURE HERE FOR THEM.

ALL THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE MY OPPONENT HAS BEEN IN OFFICE.

WE NEED LEADERSHIP THAT HELPS US, RESPECTS US.

I HAVE PASSED FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL POLICY, I'M ALSO AN EXPERIENCED EXECUTIVE, WHO HAS LED ORGANIZATIONS TO ACHIEVE ACTUAL RESULTS.

WE NEED BOTH TO BE ABLE TO MOVE SACRAMENTO FORWARD.

>> THANK YOU.

CANDIDATE COFER.

NOW, CANDIDATE McCARTY.

>> I'M EXCITED TO RUN FOR MAYOR OF SACRAMENTO, MY HOMETOWN, I KNOW WE HAVE A LOT OF CHALLENGES.

I'M HOPEFUL ABOUT OUR FUTURE.

I KNOW WE CAN LEAN IN AND TACKLE OUR PROBLEMS BIG AND SMALL.

AND GET THE JOB DONE FOCUSING ON MY EXPERIENCE.

AS A COUNCILMEMBER, AS A STATE ASSEMB ASSEMBLYMEMBER, FOCUSING ON WORKING WITH OTHERS, OUR PARTNERS IN GOVERNMENT, AND BRINGING REAL SOLUTIONS TO OUR ISSUES.

I THINK ABOUT MY TEENAGED GIRLS AND WHAT FUTURE LIES FOR THEM IN SACRAMENTO.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE A CITY WITH A THRIVING ECONOMY, JOBS, AND HOUSING AT ALL INCOME LEVELS.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE IT'S A SAFE CITY, SO THEY CAN WALK HOME FROM SCHOOL AND NOT WALK AROUND ENCAMPMENTS AND NOT WORRY ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY.

THAT'S AN ISSUE WE WORRY ABOUT.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT SACRAMENTO FIVE, TEN YEARS FROM NOW IS A CITY WE CAN BE PROUD OF.

BRINGING US ALL TOGETHER FOR ONE SACRAMENTO.

I LOOK FORWARD TO THE DEBATE TODAY.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

CANDIDATE McCARTY.

WE WILL BEGIN WITH A QUESTION FOR CANDIDATE COFER.

HOWARD CHEN HAS RETURNED TO THE CITY COUNCIL WITH REQUESTS TO EXTEND HIS CONTRACT.

SOME COUNCILMEMBERS HAVE SAID PUBLICLY THAT THIS SITUATION HAS BECOME ALL CONSUMING.

ULTIMATELY, THE COUNCIL DELAYED A DECISION UNTIL DECEMBER.

IT WILL BECOME YOUR PROBLEM IF YOU'RE ELECTED MAYOR.

AS SPECIFICALLY AS YOU CAN, CAN YOU TELL US IF YOU WOULD GRANT CHEN'S REQUEST FOR A YEAR'S EXTENSION OR NOT.

>> I'M SO FRUSTRATED THIS IS WHERE WE ARE AS A CITY, BECAUSE THE COUNCIL HAS PUNTED THIS DECISION NOW FOR AN ENTIRE YEAR, WHEN THEY PUT HIS CONTRACT EXTENSION ON THE AGENDA LAST DECEMBER, AND IN AN ILLEGAL MEETING.

AND THEN HAVE FAILED TO TAKE IT UP IN THE ENSUING 12 MONTHS, HERE WE ARE BEING FORCED POTENTIALLY DURING A FIRST MEETING WE HAVE, TO MAKE AN IMPORTANT DECISION.

I'M AN EXPERIENCED EXECUTIVE, I WOULD NOT MAKE A DECISION LIKE THIS WITHOUT FIRST BEING ABLE TO UNDERSTAND HOW IS THIS PERSON PERFORMED OVER THE LAST EIGHT YEARS AND HAVE ACCESS TO THE DATA.

DOING A 360 REVIEW WITH ALL OF HIS COLLEAGUES AND DIRECT REPORTS.

SINCE HIS CONTRACT ENDS IN DECEMBER, THAT LEAVES US IN A POSITION NOW WHERE OUR CITY MANAGER WILL QUIT WITH, NO ADVANCE NOTICE, BECAUSE HE WANTS A YEAR LONG EXTENSION, AND I'M UNABLE TO MAKE THAT DECISION WITH LESS THAN A WEEK'S NOTICE AND INFORMATION.

I TOLD THE MAYOR, I'VE BEEN VERY CLEAR ABOUT THIS, THAT THIS DECISION SHOULD HAVE BEEN MADE BY THE COUNCIL, WE SHOULDN'T PUT AN ALBATROSS AROUND THE NECKS OF THE NEXT COUNCIL TO MAKE THE DECISION IN A WEEK.

IT FEELS LIKE WE'RE PUTTING OUR FINGER ON THE PULSE AND TRYING TO HAVE A THIRD TERM OF THIS CURRENT MAYOR AND THAT'S NOT FAIR.

>> CANDIDATE McCARTY?

>> I THINK TWO THINGS ARE IMPORTANT, ONE, WE NEED STABILITY AT CITY HALL, HAVING A MAYOR, NEW MAYOR, CITY MANAGER THERE FOR YEAR ONE.

I SUPPORT HAVING THE CITY MANAGER STICK AROUND FOR ONE MORE YEAR.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THE NEW MAYOR HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK TO THEIR COLLEAGUES, FOCUSING ON THE BROWN ABILITY.

AND TALKING ABOUT WHAT DIRECTION WE WANT TO HAVE GOING-FORWARD.

WHAT THE CITY MANAGER'S ROLE IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE FOCUSING ON THE ISSUES OF THE DAY.

OUR BUDGET, HOMELESSNESS, I HAVE WORKED WITH HOWARD CHEN IN THE PAST, AND THE CITY COUNCILMEMBER, HE'S A FINE PUBLIC SERVE AN THE.

I CAN WORK WITH HIM IN OUR FIRST YEAR, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT WE HAVE CONTINUITY ON THOSE EARLY DAYS.

I THINK WE CAN'T HAVE THIS ISSUE HEARD ON THE NIGHT WE'RE SWORN IN, THAT'S TOO SOON.

THE FOLLOWING WEEK IS TOO SOON AS WELL.

I THINK WE OWE IT TO THE NEW CITY COUNCIL TO HONOR THE FUTURE OF SACRAMENTO.

WE HAVE A SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT HERE, WE DON'T HAVE A STRONG MAYOR.

WE NEED TO LIVE UNDER THOSE RULES, I DON'T SUPPORT THE STRONG MAYOR SYSTEM, I SUPPORT THE CURRENT CITY MANAGER'S FORM OF GOVERNMENT, WE NEED TO BE COLLABORATIVE AND FOCUS ON WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE CITY.

>> OKAY.

SPEAKING OF THAT ISSUE, OUR NEXT QUESTION REALLY GOES TO THAT CITY MANAGER/MAYOR FORM OF GOVERNMENT.

AND THE QUESTION FOR YOU, CANDIDATE McCARTY IS THIS, IS THE MAYOR'S JOB EVEN RELEVANT ANY MORE?

THE CITY MANAGER SEEMS TO HAVE SO MUCH MORE POWER THAN THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL DOES.

MEMBERS OF THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY WITH THE CITY MANAGER TOOK OVER THE PROCESS THAT LED TO MEASURE 0 IN 2022, AND HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO THE BELIEF ON THE PART OF SOME, THAT EVEN IF YOU ARE ELECTED MAYOR, YOU'LL HAVE LESS INFLUENCE THAN THE POWERFUL AND UNELECTED INTERESTS THAT RUN THE CITY TODAY?

>> AGAIN, I SUPPORT THE CURRENT SYSTEM WE HAVE HERE IN SACRAMENTO.

I'VE ALWAYS OPPOSED THE STRONG MAYOR APPROACHES, IT'S NOT A PANACEA, LOOK AT CITIES LIKE SAN FRANCISCO AND OAKLAND.

THEY HAVE A STRONG MAYOR, BIG PROBLEMS WITH CRIME AND HOMELESSNESS.

THE CITY OF SAN JOSE HAS DONE A LOT OF GREAT WORK DEALING WITH OUR HOMELESS POPULATION, IT'S NOT ONE OR THE OTHER, I LIKE HAVING MORE DEMOCRACY SPREADING OVER THE OTHER COUNCILMEMBERS, I'M PERFECTLY FINE.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

YOU NEED AN EFFECTIVE MAYOR THAT KNOWS THE SYSTEM AND CAN DO THE JOB ON DAY ONE.

I CAN.

I CAN WORK WITH THE COUNCIL TO PUT FORWARD AN AGENDA THAT HAS A CITY MANAGER IMPLEMENT.

THAT IS WHAT THIS JOB IS ALL ABOUT.

I OFTEN SAY IN THIS BUSINESS, IF YOU WANT TO GO FAST, YOU GO ALONE.

IF YOU WANT TO GO FAR, YOU GO WITH OTHERS, TOGETHER.

THAT'S ALWAYS BEEN MY APPROACH WHEN THERE'S BIG ISSUES COMING BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL, I TRY TO FIND -- WHEN I WAS A CITY COUNCILMEMBER, FIND ALLIES TO WORK ON THOSE TOGETHER.

AS A STATE LAWMAKER, THE SAME THING.

MORE IMPORTANTLY, WORKING WITHN THE SYSTEM, WHAT THE MAYOR CAN AND CAN'T DO, THE MAYOR IS ELECTED CITYWIDE.

THE ONLY PERSON ELECTED CITYWIDE IN THE CITY OF SACRAMENTO.

THEY HAVE A POWERFUL VOICE FOCUSING ON THE CITY, TO GET THE CITY MANAGER AND STAFF TO GO IN THE SAME DIRECTION.

>> YOUR RESPONSE?

>> JUST BEING CLEAR, WE DON'T MAKE THE DECISION AS A NEW COUNCIL BY THE END OF THE YEAR, THE CITY MANAGER HAS MADE IT CLEAR, THAT HE WANTS AN EXTENSION FOR A YEAR, AND HE WILL QUIT.

IT'S A NONANSWER TO SAY WE CAN'T MAKE THE DECISION.

IT MEANS WE'RE NOT WILLING TO EXTEND HIS CONTRACT.

AND THAT'S ALSO SOMETHING THAT THE CURRENT CITY COUNCIL HAS BEEN UNWILLING TO DO FOR THE LAST YEAR.

I THINK WE'RE NOW IN A POSITION WHERE WE HAVE TO TALK ABOUT WHOSE IN CONTROL.

AND WHOSE IN CONTROL IS THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL, AND THE MAYOR HAS THE ABILITY TO PUT ITEMS ON THE AGENDA.

AS AN EXECUTIVE LEADER, THE FIRST QUESTION I ASKED, OUR ASSISTANT MANAGER, WHEN I JOINED THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE AS THE CHAIR, WHAT ARE THE CITY'S GOALS, SHE AS POLITELY AS POSSIBLE LAUGHED IN MY FACE, AND SAID, THE CITY DOESN'T HAVE ANY GOALS.

THAT FEELS LIKE OUR CITY MANAGER IS RUNNING THE CITY WITHOUT ANY DIRECTION, BECAUSE NONE HAS BEEN GIVEN TO HIM.

OUR CITY STAFF, OUR CITY ATTORNEY, CITY CLERK, TREASURER AND MANAGER DON'T HAVE PERFORMANCE GOALS IN METRICS.

WHICH IS WHY IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE TO MAKE A HIRING DECISION ON DAY ONE, BECAUSE WE HAVE TO DO SOME INVESTIGATIVE WORK, BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T DONE THE MANAGERIAL DUE DILIGENCE NECESSARY.

WE CAN RUN THIS CITY WELL, WE DON'T HAVE TO CHANGE THE GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE.

WE NEED SOMEONE TO COME IN, WHO HAS MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE, KNOWS HOW TO GET THINGS DONE WITH THE GROUP, AND KNOWS WHAT THEIR ROLE IS, AND ARE ACCOUNTABLE TO THE ROLES THAT ARE GIVEN.

THAT'S POSSIBLE UNDER OUR CURRENT SYSTEM.

>> DR. COFER, LET ME UNDERSTAND, BY VIRTUE OF NOT WANTING TO MAKE THE DECISION IN DECEMBER, YOU'RE TELL GRAPHING TO THE CURRENT CITY MANAGER, THAT HIS CONTRACT IS UP IN DECEMBER, THAT IS IT.

>> I'VE SAID THAT TO HIM DIRECTLY, YES.

>> WHO WOULD STEP IN UNDER MAYOR FLOJAUNE.

>> WE WOULD HAVE AN INTERIM CITY MANAGER THAT THE WHOLE COUNCIL CAN AGREE ON.

IT'S CLEAR THERE ARE CHALLENGES THERE, AND I THINK IT'S TIME THERE'S A FRESH START.

THE CITY OF SACRAMENTO NEEDS NEW LEADERSHIP, THAT'S THE DECISION THAT'S BEING MADE, WE DON'T HAVE TO BE AFRAID TO SAY THAT OUTLOUD.

THAT'S WHERE WE ARE AS A CITY, IT'S TIME.

>> I WANT TO ASK CANDIDATE McCARTY, YOU SAID YOU WOULD SUPPORT ANOTHER YEAR.

PLAYING DEVIL'S ADVOCATE HERE.

HOW HAVE YOU FELT ABOUT THE CURRENT CITY MANAGER AND THE NUMBER OF PAY INCREASES HE'S RECEIVED, AND CONTINUALLY COMING BACK TO THE COUNCIL, SOMETIMES IN CLOSE SESSION TO DEAL WITH HIS CONTRACT.

DOESN'T -- JUST AS AN OUTSIDER, WOULDN'T YOU VIEW THAT BEHAVIOR AS PROBLEMATIC, AND HOW WOULD IT BE DIFFERENT IF YOU WERE THE MAYOR?

>> WELL, I APPLAUD THE MAYOR AND THE COUNCIL FOR CHANGING THE RULES, WHICH I SUPPORT, THE EXECUTIVE OF THE CITY CAN'T PUT ON THE AGENDA, GIVING THEMSELVES A RAISE.

IT HAS TO BE DONE BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL.

NOW WE'RE FACING A BUDGET DEFICIT.

100%, WE SHOULD NOT TALK ABOUT INCREASING PEOPLE'S SALARIES WHO ARE ALREADY WELL COMPENSATED WHEN WE'RE GOING TO BE TALKING ABOUT TRIMMING DOWN SOME OF OUR CITY DEPARTMENTS, THAT SHOULD BE OFF THE TABLE.

MORE IMPORTANTLY, WHAT I WANT TO FOCUS ON WITH THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE CITY MANAGER ARE SOME OF THE ISSUES, WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO AS FAR AS GETTING HOMELESS OFF THE STREETS AND THE SERVICES.

WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO AS FAR AS GROWING OUR ECONOMY TO DOLE WITH THE BUDGET DEFICIT.

WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO FOR HIRING MORE OFFICERS.

PROVIDING MORE PROGRAMS FOR OUR YOUTH ACROSS THE CITY OF SACRAMENTO.

LUKE AT ISSUES AND FOCUS ON THAT AS A WAY TO EVALUATE OUR NEXT CONTRACT FOR THE CITY MANAGER.

>> THAT'S A GREAT SEGUE INTO OUR NEXT QUESTION, DR. COFER.

AS YOU KNOW, THE FEDERAL DATA HAS SHOWN THAT THE CITY OF SACRAMENTO'S PERCENTAGE OF UNSHELTERED HOMELESS PEOPLE IN THE COUNTY, INCREASED FROM 67% TO 77%, BETWEEN 2022 AND 2024.

TO MAKE SURE OUR AUDIENCE CAUGHT THAT, THAT WHILE THE LAST FEDERAL COUNT SHOWED THE NUMBERS OF HOMELESS WENT DOWN OVERALL.

THE PERCENTAGE OF HOMELESS CONCENTRATED IN THE CITY OF SACRAMENTO, MORE THAN ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE COUNTY.

THE LAST TWO MAYORS VOWED TO DEVISE REGIONAL STRATEGIES FOR HOMELESS, BUT WERE UNSUCCESSFUL.

PRISONERS ARE RELEASED FROM THE COUNTY JAIL ARE TURNED LOOSE IN DOWNTOWN SACRAMENTO.

THE COUNTY SWEEPS THE AMERICAN PARKWAY, AND HOMELESS PEOPLE COME TO THE CITY OF SACRAMENTO.

THE COUNTY JUST YESTERDAY PASSED AN ORDINANCE PROHIBITING CAMPING IN THE UNINCORPORATED COUNTY, WHICH WILL MEAN THOSE PEOPLE WILL LIKELY COME TO THE CITY OF SACRAMENTO.

SO THE QUESTION IS, AS SPECIFICALLY AS YOU CAN, PLEASE TELL US HOW YOU'RE GOING TO PREVENT THE CITY OF SACRAMENTO FROM HOUSING AN EVEN HIGHER PERCENTAGE OF HOMELESS PEOPLE TWO YEARS FROM NOW?

>> IT'S A REALLY GREAT QUESTION, AND THE QUESTION WE HAVE TO ANSWER RIGHT NOW, WHICH IS WHERE ARE PEOPLE GOING TO GO?

THE CHALLENGE HERE IS THAT IF YOU ASK ANYONE WHO IS DOING DIRECT SERVICE, THEY WILL TELL YOU THAT SWEEPS ARE THE NUMBER ONE POLICY THAT IS MAKING IT SO THAT OUR HOMELESSNESS NUMBERS ARE NOT GOING DOWN, AND WE'RE NOT ABLE TO ADDRESS PEOPLE.

WE HAVE PEOPLE CYCLING THROUGH OUR MOST EXPENSIVE SYSTEMS, OUR 911 SYSTEMS, JAILS, EMERGENCY ROOMS, OVER AND OVER AGAIN, COSTING US A MILLION DOLLARS PER PERSON PER YEAR WITHOUT ANY SOLUTIONS.

WE NEED SOLUTIONS, AND WE NEED TO HAVE A PLACE WHERE WE CAN TELL PEOPLE THEY CAN GO, WHERE THEY CAN HAVE SHOWERS AND ACCESS ELECTRICITY, AND HAVE A SAFE PLACE TO BE.

WE KNOW THAT 95% OF MINIMUM THAT MAY BE EXPERIENCING ADDICTION ARE UNABLE TO ADDRESS THAT ADDICTION IF THEY DON'T HAVE A SAFE PLACE TO BE.

MOVING PEOPLE FROM PLACE TO PLACE IS A FAILED DESTINATION.

WE HAVE TO HAVE A PLACE FOR PEOPLE TO GO, WHERE THEY CAN GET SERVICES.

NEAT TRAILERS AND TINY HOMES, WHERE PEOPLE CAN HAVE STABLE ACCESS, WHERE OUR SERVICE PROVIDERS CAN FIND PEOPLE WHEN THEY COME TO THE TOP OF OUR PROVISION LIST.

RIGHT NOW, OUR SUBSTANCE LIST IS 8 MONTHS LONG TO GET SERVICES.

SACRAMENTO HAS A RESPONSIBILITY TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION, AND SO DO OTHER PLACES IN THE REGION.

WE CAN'T BE THE PLACE THAT EVERYBODY PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO TAKE CARE OF WANTS TO BE.

WE ALSO HAVE A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN OUR OWN COMMUNITY THAT HAVEN'T BEEN TAKEN CARE OF.

AND THAT CHANGES UNDER MY WATCH.

>> DR. COFER, AS A FOLLOW-UP TO YOUR STATEMENT, THE SIMPLE FUNDAMENTAL QUESTION IS, WHERE DOES THE MONEY COME FROM TO PAY FOR ALL THAT.

WE HAVE A STATE THAT FACED A RECORD DEFICIT.

WE HAVE THE CITY STARING AT A FISCAL CLIP.

SO ALL OF THOSE SOLUTIONS SOUND WONDERFUL.

BUT WHERE'S THE MONEY COME FROM IN ORDER TO DO ALL THE THINGS YOU JUST DESCRIBED.

>> I THINK THIS IS WHY THE SACRAMENTO BEE DESCRIBED ME AS SOCIALLY PROGRESSIVE, YET FISCALLY CONSERVATIVE.

I'M NOT CONVINCED WE NEED MORE MONEY.

WHAT WE NEED IS BETTER COLLABORATION.

WE'RE HAVING PEOPLE CYCLING THROUGH OUR EXPENSIVE SYSTEMS, AND 59 THE END OF IT, WE DON'T HAVE ANYWHERE FOR THEM TO GO.

WE NEED TO BE CLEAR ABOUT WHERE PEOPLE CAN GO.

I'VE BEEN MEETING WITH PEOPLE ACROSS THIS REGION, UC DAVIS HEALTH, EVERYONE'S NUMBER ONE ISSUE IS, WE'RE NOT WORKING TOGETHER IN A FASHION ACROSS GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO MAKE SURE WE'RE ANSWERING THE QUESTIONS.

ALL THE PIECES ARE THERE, WE NEED TO ASSEMBLE THEM.

>> ASSEMBLYMEMBER McCARTY, YOUR RESPONSE.

>> IT'S THE TOP ISSUE FOR THE WHOLE CITY OF SACRAMENTO, IT'S WHY I DECIDED TO RUN.

MY KIDS ARE WALKING HOME FROM MIDDLE SCHOOL WHEN I WAS RUNNING FOR MAYOR, THEY HAD TO DODGE ENCAMPMENTS, AND DOGS ON ROPES TO GET BY.

FOCUSING ON COMMON SENSE SOLUTIONS.

YES, WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER, WE NEED TO WORK ON THIS TOGETHER WITH ALL JURISDICTIONS, I'LL TALK ABOUT THE FIVE THINGS I WANT TO DO.

WE NEED TO ENFORCE THE LAW, WE CAN'T ALLOW USH AROUND CAMPING AND ENCAMPMENTS.

PEOPLE WILL JUST CROSS THE TOWER BRIDGE OR COME FROM ELK GROVE OR SACRAMENTO, AND MAKE SURE WE FOCUS ON NO ENCAMPMENTS IN THE CITY OF SACRAMENTO.

I WANT TO AUDIT OUR CITY MONEY WE GET FROM THE DATE TO FOLK US ON, WHERE ARE WE GETTING OUR BIGGEST BANG FOR OUR BUCK.

WE FUND 3 OR 4 PROGRAMS.

WHICH ONES PAY THE BIGGEST DIVIDENDS.

FOCUSING ON WHERE PEOPLE CAN GO, I SUPPORT LOOKING AT VACANT CITY PROPERTY, FOR EXAMPLE, FORMER CITY CORPORATION YARDS TO HAVE A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE CAN CAMP OR HAVE TINY HOMES, WHERE THEY HAVE SERVICES AND BATHROOMS AND CERTAIN SOCIAL SERVICES.

I DON'T SUPPORT THIS IDEA TO UNDERUTILIZE CITY PARKS, THAT'S HE A TERRIBLE IDEA, WE NEED TO DO A BETTER JOB PARTNERING WITH OUR COUNTIES, I SUPPORT HAVING A JOINT POWERS AUTHORITY WITH OUR COUNTY AND REGIONAL CITIES TO WORK ON THIS.

LASTLY, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH IS A KEY, WE NEED TO FOCUS ON PEOPLE WITH UNTREATED MENTAL ILLNESS AND HAVE COMPULSORY TREATMENT SOMETIMES.

>> I ASK YOU THE SAME QUESTION, AMBITIOUS PROGRAM, IT SOUNDS LIKE THERE ARE A NUMBER OF AREAS WHERE YOU TWO ACTUALLY SHARE THE SAME APPROACH.

WHERE DOES THE MONEY COME FROM?

>> WE NEED TO LOOK AT OUR EXISTING MONEY AND BE MORE NIMBLE.

JUST THIS WEEK, WE TALKED IF A WOMAN HERE IN SACRAMENTO, ROBIN MOORE, BUILT IN HER BACKYARD FIVE TINY HOMES.

WE NEED TO ASK CHURCHES AND SMALL BUSINESS GROUPS, THAT'S WHERE I WANT TO AUDIT OUR EXISTING CITY EXPENDITURES, AND LOOK AT PROGRAMS THAT ARE FORTH CONTINUING OR FOCUS ON WHICH ONES CAN BE MORE COST EFFECTIVE.

I LIKE TO HAVE AN APARTMENT FOR EVERYBODY, I'D RATHER BUILD TEN TINY HOMES FOR THE COST OF ONE APARTMENT.

>> DR. COFER, BEFORE WE MOVE ON, ASSEMBLYMEMBER McCARTY MENTIONED THE ISSUE OF USING UNUSED PARKS.

THAT IS AN IDEA THAT HAS BEEN ATTACHED TO YOU IN TERMS OF USING PARKS.

HE DOESN'T SUPPORT THE IDEA.

WHY DO YOU SUPPORT IT?

>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL, HE HAS COMPLETELY MISCHARACTERIZED MY IDEA AND HE KNOWS IT, IT'S A LIE.

I'VE BEEN CLEAR THAT WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT ARE NOT WHAT YOU ENVISION WHEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT PARKS.

GREEN GRASSES WITH PLAY AREAS.

HE AND HIS SUPPORTERS WOULD LIKE TO MAKE IT SEEM LIKE I'M PROPOSING.

EMPTY LOTS THAT HAVE BROWN GRASS AND CRACKED CONCRETE.

THESE ARE CITY OWNED PARCEL ELS THEY CAN USE FOR CITY PURPOSE, HE KNOWS THAT AND AGREES WITH IT AS WELL.

>> DO YOU HAVE A RESPONSE TO THAT.

>> THE REALITY IS, TRUTH HURTS.

I'VE BEEN IN MULTIPLE FORUMS, AND MY OPPONENT HAS SAID WE SHOULD USE UNDERUTILIZED PARKS.

THEY HAVE WATER HOOKUPS AND ELECTRICITY.

A PARK IS A CHERISHMENT BY THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

TELL THOSE FAMILIES THEY CAN'T USE THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD PARK.

>> KEVIN KNOWS FULL WELL I DID NOT SAY THAT, AND WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT ARE THE EMPTY LOTS THAT ARE ON THE CITY'S PARK LIST BUT DON'T YET EXIST.

SO TO LIE IS REDISAPPOINTING, AND SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN ELECTED THE LAST 20 YEARS, AND SHOULD HAVE PLANS OF HIS OWN INSTEAD OF TRYING TO WIN AN ELECTION.

>> WELL, IT WOULD BE HELPFUL -- I'M GOING TO ASK THIS OF BOTH OF YOU, GIVING WITH YOU, DR. COFER, HOW WOULD YOU ARTICULATE WHERE THERE'S DAYLIGHT BETWEEN YOURSELF AND YOUR OPPONENT ON HOMELESSNESS.

AS VOTERS, EMP ARE FRUSTRATED AT THIS POINT, AND THEY'VE HEARD A LOT OF THESE IDEAS FOR A LONG TIME NOW.

HOW WOULD YOU SAY THERE'S DIFFERENCE BETWEEN YOURSELF AND WHAT HE'S PROPOSING.

>> I'M NOT PROPOSING SOMETHING THAT EVERY SINGLE PERSON THAT WORKS IN DIRECT SERVICE IS HURTING THEIR ABILITY TO BE EFFECTIVE ON HOMELESSNESS, WHICH IS CONTINUING SWEEPS.

THAT IS THE NUMBER ONE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN US.

HE WANTS TO DO A FAILED POLICY OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

THIS IS ANOTHER TERM OF WHAT YOU'VE SEEN THAT'S FAILED.

WE HAVE TO HAVE PLACES FOR PEOPLE TO GO, AND WE HAVE TO LOOK AT CITY OWNED LOTS.

WE HAVE TO STOP WITH THE FAILED POLICIES AND THE RHETORIC THAT MAKES PEOPLE FEEL SAFE, BUT IS JUST BAD IDEAS BEING RECYCLED.

>> MR. McCARTY, DO YOU WANT TO RESPOND?

>> I THINK THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCES.

I'M LOOKING FOR PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS.

I DON'T THINK PARKS ARE A GOOD IDEA, IF DR. COFER HAS A PARK IN MIND, PLEASE LET US KNOW, AND WE CAN TALK TO THAT NEIGHBORHOOD AND ASK THEM IF IT'S A GOOD IDEA.

WE CAN'T ALLOW ENCAMPMENTS IN THE CITY OF SACRAMENTO.

THE GOVERNMENT CAME DOWN AND WAS CLEARING ENCAMPMENTS AT STATE HIGHWAY AREAS THROUGHOUT THE STATE, THROUGHOUT CALIFORNIA, OTHER JURISDICTIONS ARE DOING THE SAME THING AS WELL.

WE HAVE TO ZERO IN ON NOT ALLOWING ENCAMPMENTS AND FOCUS ON COMMON SENSE PLACES TO SEND PEOPLE, THERE'S 3 OR 4 CITY YARDS, FOR THEM TO RELEASE TRASH TRUCKS THAT ARE EMPTY, WHERE YOU COULD PUT DOZENS OF TINY HOMES, PLACES WHERE PEOPLE CAN CAMP, THEY CAN GET WATER AND RESTROOM AND BATHROOM FACILITIES, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, SIGN UP WITH SERVICES WITH THE COUNTY OF SACRAMENTO.

>> MOVING ON, BUT STILL ON THE TOPIC OF HOMELESSNESS, CANDIDATE McCARTY, SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS AND RESIDENTS, OFTEN BEAR THE BRUNT OF HOMELESSNESS RELATED ISSUES.

PUBLIC DRUG USE, LITTERING, AGGRESSIVE PANHANDLING.

WHO'S RIGHTS SHOULD TAKE PRECEDENCE?

THE HOMELESS OR THE SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS AND RESIDENTS.

AND HOW DO YOU BALANCE THE IMMEDIATE NEEDS OF THOSE STAKEHOLDERS WITH THE LONG TERM GOAL OF ADDRESSING HOMELESSNESS?

>> WELL, LET ME TELL YOU A STORY ABOUT WHERE I LIVE.

I LIVE IN THE CORE OF SACRAMENTO, IN OLDER STREETS, WE HAVE ALLEYS BEHIND OUR HOUSE.

ONCE A MONTH I GO BACK THERE WITH A SHOVEL AND A BUCKET TO CLEAN UP.

I HAVE TO BEAR THE BURDEN OF THAT.

THE RESPONSIBILITY TOO OFTEN FALLS ON INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE LEFT WITH THE AFTERMATH, WHETHER IT'S A SMALL BUSINESS WHO HAS TO CLEAN UP AND HAVE THEIR SHOP OPEN AND LOSING CUSTOMERS THAT WANT TO BUY STUFF MORE ONLINE OR GO TO ROSEVILLE, OR A NEIGHBORHOOD THAT CAN'T USE THEIR CITY PARK.

OR A FAMILY LIKE MINE, WHOSE KIDS ARE STRUGGLING WALKING HOME FROM THE LIGHT RAIL STATION.

WE NEED TO HAVE COMPASSION IN TELLING PEOPLE WHERE THEY CAN GO.

BUT WE CAN'T CONTINUE TO ALLOW URBAN CAMPING, IT'S NOT RIGHT FOR THE RESIDENTS AND TAXPAYERS OF SACRAMENTO.

WE NEED TO FIND BETTER WAYS, AS I ALLUDED TO EARLIER, TO TELL PEOPLE WHERE THEY CAN GO, THAT ARE IT MORE COST EFFECTIVE.

WE LET THE PERFECT BE THE ENEMY OF THE GOOD.

A COUPLE YEARS AGO IN THE BUDGET, I WAS ABLE TO GET 25 MILLION FOR THE COUNTY, TO GET PEOPLE OFF THE PARKWAY.

IT TOOK OVER TWO YEARS TO COME UP WITH A PLAN, WAY TOO LONG.

AND WE FOCUSED ON PROBABLY MORE EXPENSIVE SOLUTIONS THAN WE SHOULD HAVE.

WE NEED TO FOCUS IN ON URGENCY NOW AND PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS TODAY.

>> MY QUESTION, THOUGH.

WHO TAKES PRECEDENCE, THE RESIDENTS LIKE YOURSELF AND THE SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS OR THE HOMELESS THEMSELVES.

>> THE RESIDENTS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO LIVE IN THE CITY.

YOU KNOW, WE HAVE HEARTS.

WE UNDERSTAND NOT EVERYONE HAS A HOME, IT CAN'T IMPACT OUR COMMUNITIES ADVERSITY LIKE WE'VE SEEN OVER THE PAST DECADE IN SACRAMENTO.

AND IN CITIES, FRANKLY, NOT JUST IN SACRAMENTO, ACROSS THE STATE AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>> CANDIDATE COFER, YOUR RESPONSE?

>> IT'S NOT ABOUT WHO TAKES PRECEDENT, IT'S ABOUT UNFORTUNATELY, WE'RE IN THE SITUATION WHERE THE COMPASSIONATE SOLUTION IS THE EFFECTIVE ONE.

I HAVE, OVER THE PAST THREE MONTHS, SINCE THE GOVERNOR'S EXECUTIVE ORDER, AWAKENED TO PEOPLE SLEEPING ON MY BACKYARD, FRONT PORCH OR COLLAPSING IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE, ON THE OCTOBER DAYS THAT WAS OVER 100 DEGREES.

HAVING FAILED POLICIES BEING RECYCLED OVER AND OVER AGAIN, IS NOT A SOLUTION.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE'RE ADDRESSING THE 300 PEOPLE WHO CAPTURE OUR IMAGINATIONS WHEN WE THINK ABOUT HOMELESSNESS.

THEY'RE THE PEOPLE SLEEPING IN FRONT OF SOMEONE'S STOREFRONT OR FRONT YARD OR BACKYARD OR BY THE LIGHT RAIL STATION.

WE'RE ACTUALLY ABLE TO GET THEM INTO SERVICES, INSTEAD OF CIRCLING THEM THROUGH 911, OUR JAILS AND EMERGENCY ROOMS, OVER AND OVER AGAIN, TO THE TUNE OF A MILLION DOLLARS PER PERSON PER YEAR.

WE CAN ACTUALLY CONNECT THEM WITH OUR STREET MEDICINE TEAMS AND CAL AIM AND MEDICAL SO THEY CAN GET THE $6500 IN DOWNPAYMENT ASSISTANCE AND WRAP AROUND CASE MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE, THE TRUTH WE'RE ALL OVER LOOKING.

MANY OF THE PEOPLE ON THEIR STREETS, IF THEY COULD LIVE INDEPENDENTLY, THEY WOULD BE.

THESE ARE OFTEN THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE SOME UNDIAGNOSED FUNCTIONING ISSUES.

THEY MAY BE PEOPLE WHO ARE EXPERIENCING SUBSTANCE USE.

OR LATER IN LIFE, WE'RE DIAGNOSED WITH THE MENTAL HEALTH.

WE JUST HAVE TO CONNECT THE DOTS, THOSE ARE THE EFFECTIVE SOLUTIONS YOU'LL GET WITH A PUBLIC HEALTH PROFESSIONAL, WHO HAS EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH PEOPLE IN THIS POPULATION, AND EFFECTIVELY GETTING INTO SERVICES AND TREATMENT.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO FOLLOW UP WITH THAT -- WITH YOU, DR. COFER.

I HAVE HEARD -- I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE HEARD THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE ON STREETS WHO WOULD RATHER BE LIVING UNDER A ROOF OR SOME PLACE.

BUT WHAT DO YOU BASE THAT ON?

IS THERE ACTUAL DATA THAT SHOWS THAT?

OR IS THAT AN ANECDOTAL FEEL SOMETHING WE'VE HEARD IT FOR A VERY LONG TIME NOW.

AND YET THE PROBLEM REMAINS.

>> YES, SO I'M A PROFESSIONAL WITH EXPERIENCE.

I WORKED WITH PEOPLE WITH SEVERE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, AND ALSO, WITH PEOPLE WITH ADDICTION ISSUES AND HELP THEM GET INTO SERVICES AND TREATMENT.

I WORKED WITH A GENTLEMAN WHO HAS SEVERE SCHIZOPHRENIA, HE TOLD ME NO AT FIRST, UNTIL HE GOT TO THE PLACE WHERE HE TRUSTED ME ENOUGH TO TELL ME YES.

THAT'S JUST ONE OF THE STORIES I CAN TELL YOU.

IT'S DIFFICULT, MAKE NO MISTAKE.

ALMOST NOBODY TELLS YOU YES THE FIRST TIME.

IT REQUIRES BUILDING A RELATIONSHIP WITH THEM.

THERE'S SOME WAYS WE ROB PEOPLE IN POVERTY OF THEIR HUMANITY.

WE NEED TO PROVIDE THEM WITH SUPPORT, AND THE WAY WE DO THAT, IS BY ACTUALLY MEETING THEIR NEEDS FIRST.

IF YOU GO OUT AS A STRANGER AND ASK SOMEONE, DO YOU WANT TO COME INTO HOUSING AFTER THEY'VE BEEN SWEPT AND HAD THEIR BELONGINGS THROWN AWAY THREE OR FOUR TIMES.

THEY'VE BEEN PROMISED PERMANENT HOUSING, AND THEY END UP IN ANOTHER SHELTER.

DO YOU THINK THE ANSWER IS GOING TO BE YES?

THAT'S WHY SERVICES ARE SO UPSET WITH US, PEOPLE THAT HAVE NEVER TOUCHED GRASS, ARE THE ONES SAYING THIS IS THE SOLUTION.

HOW ABOUT WE LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE WHO DO THIS EVERY DAY, LISTENING TO THE CHALLENGES AND TELLING US WHAT WE'RE DOING IS FAILING.

WE'RE NOT GETTING BETTER AT THE VERY POPULATION WE SAY IS OUR PRIORITY AND CAUSING THE MOST ISSUES.

THIS IS WHY YOU NEED A MAYOR WHO UNDERSTANDS SYSTEMS, WHO UNDERSTANDS PUBLIC HEALTH AND IS CONNECTED TO THE STREET AND UNDERSTANDS WHAT'S HAPPENING.

AND I AM THAT MAYOR.

>> ASSEMBLYMEMBER McCARTY, WOULD YOU LIKE TO RESPOND?

>> NO, WE CAN GO TO THE NEXT QUESTION.

>> WELL, ACTUALLY, THE NEXT QUESTION HAPPENS TO BE YOURS.

>> LET'S GO.

>> WE'RE AT THE POINT IN THIS DEBATE, WHERE IT IS WE INVITED BOTH CANDIDATES TO BE ABLE TO ASK THE OTHER A QUESTION.

AND CANDIDATE McCARTY, YOU ARE FIRST TO ASK DR. COFER A QUESTION, AND IN RESPONSE, SHE WILL ASK YOU.

>> SURE.

I WOULD ZERO IN ON WHAT I ALLUDED TO EARLIER, AND WHERE HOMELESS CAMPS SHOULD BE.

WHERE HOMELESS PEOPLE SHOULD BE.

I KNOW THERE WAS AN EXAMPLE BROUGHT UP ABOUT SAFE REST PROGRAMS IN PORTLAND.

IT'S A MIX.

SOME CITY PARKS ARE ON A LIST.

YOU MENTIONED THIS LIST THAT CAN BE SEEN AND I WAS WONDERING IF YOU COULD SHARE SOME OF THE SITES THAT COULD BE UTILIZED SO WE CAN MOVE PAST THIS ISSUE YOU'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT UNDERUTILIZED CITY PARKS AS HOMELESS FACILITIES.

>> AGAIN, I WILL CLARIFY THAT WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ARE THE EMPTY LOTS.

SOME OF THOSE ARE SITTING ON OUR PARKS LIST.

THEY SAY COMING SOON.

THERESA CLIFF ACTUALLY DROVE BY AND VALIDATED THAT THE ONES THAT THEY SAY ARE COMING SOON, ARE EMPTY LOTS.

KEVIN, YOU AND I BOTH KNOW WE'RE TALKING ABOUT EMPTY LOTS.

WE ALSO KNOW AS A PUBLIC HEALTH PROFESSIONAL, MY LOWELL HERE IS, TO MAKE SURE I ABIDE BY MY DEEP PHILOSOPHY AND VALUE OF NOTHING ABOUT US WITHOUT US.

WE SHOW UP AND ANNOUNCE A SOLUTION AND MOVE ON TO THE NEXT THING.

THESE ARE ACTUAL COMMUNITY DECISIONS.

PEOPLE IN SACRAMENTO, IN OUR MOST PRIVILEGED TO LEAST PRIVILEGED COMMUNITIES HAVE HAD THEIR VOICES SILENCES FOR FAR TOO LONG.

THE DECISION ABOUT WHERE AND WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE IS A PARTNERSHIP DECISION, WE GET TO DO O THIS TOGETHER.

AND PROFESSIONALLY, THE SKILL OF COLLABORATION IS SOMETHING WE LEARN IN PUBLIC HEALTH.

WE DON'T CLOSE ON PEOPLE, BUT WE PARTNER AND COLLABORATE WITH THEM.

>> ALL RIGHT.

DR.

QUESTION, YOUR QUESTION FOR ASSEMBLYMEMBER McCARTY.

>> YOU'VE BEEN OUR ELECTED OFFICIAL FOR THE LAST 20 YEARS, ENDURING SOME OF THAT TIME, HOMELESSNESS SKYROCKETED, THIS IS NOT SOMETHING YOU TALKED ABOUT IN THE CITY COUNCIL.

YOU'RE NOW PROPOSING SOLUTIONS THAT COULD HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED IN YOUR POSITION AS YOU ASSEMBLYMEMBER, AUDITING THE SPENDING.

I'M REALLY CURIOUS TO KNOW WHY YOU DIDN'T DO THIS SOONER, AND WHY VOTERS WHO TRUST YOU TO DO NOW, WHAT YOU HAVEN'T DONE, WHILE THIS CRISIS GOT OUT OF CONTROL.

>> I WANT TO GO BACK TO THE ISSUE ABOUT THE PARKS.

THE TRUTH IS, THERE ARE NO PARKS SHE'S TALKING ABOUT.

>> THAT'S A LIE.

>> SHE GOT THESE FORMS, SHE MENTIONED SEVERAL TIMES, UNUTILIZED CITY PARKS, WHERE THERE'S GRASS AND WATER AND UTILITIES.

BE FORTHRIGHT AND TELL THE CITY WHAT PARKS YOU WANT TO USE.

THE ISSUE OF HOMELESSNESS HAS EVOLVED OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS.

I HAD TOWN HALLS ALL THE TIME, NO ONE EVER CAME UP AND TALKED ABOUT HOMELESSNESS AT MY TOWN HALLS.

MAYBE AT THE RIVER DISTRICT, THIS ISSUE HAS EVOLVED.

I FOCUS ON GIVING MORE MONEY TO JURISDICTIONS TO ZERO IN AND LOOK FOR SOLUTIONS TO GET PEOPLE OFF OF THE STREETS.

THAT'S ONE THING I'M FRUSTRATED ABOUT, THAT I FOCUS ON AUDITS TO THE STATE LEVEL, WHICH I WANT TO DO AS MY FIRST DAY AS MAYOR.

TO MAKING SURE WE'RE GETTING OUR BIGGEST BANG FOR OUR BUCK, FOR EACH APPROPRIATION.

WE OWE IT TO THE TAXPAYERS TO MAXIMIZE OUR RESOURCES, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, THE PROBLEM IS GREATER THAN THE MONEY WE HAVE AVAILABLE FOR US.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ON NOW AND, MARCOS, YOU HAVE A QUESTION?

>> YES, WE'RE GOING TO ASK EACH CANDIDATE AN INDIVIDUAL QUESTION.

DR. COFER, ON JUNE 9, 2020, ON THE VOICES OF THE RIVER CITY PODCAST, YOU SAID THE FOLLOWING, TODAY OUR MAYOR SAID ON THE RADIO WE WILL NOT DEFUND POLICE.

HE ANCHORED TO THE RIGHT AND ALL I'M SAYING IS, WE ANCHOR HARD TO THE LEFT.

IT'S ALL ABOUT REIMAGINING WHAT IT IS TO BE SAFE.

THAT IS WHAT DEFUNDING THE POLICE IS ALL ABOUT.

THAT IS WHAT POLICE ABOLITION IS ALL ABOUT.

IT'S ABOUT RECONSIDERING THE VERY SYSTEMS WE HAVE COME TO RELY ON, THAT WE TAKE FOR GRANTED BUT ARE NOT FORGONE CONCLUSIONS.

I ACTUALLY THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO CONTINUE TALKING ABOUT DEFUNDING THE POLICE, AND CONTINUE TALKING ABOUT POLICE ABOLITION.

ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL, YOU'VE BEEN DESCRIBING YOURSELF AS A PUBLIC SAFETY CANDIDATE.

AREN'T YOUR CURRENT COMMENTS ABOUT POLICE IN CONFLICT WITH YOUR PAST COMMENTS ABOUT POLICE?

>> I'M SO GLAD YOU ASKED THIS QUESTION, THEY'RE NOT.

WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT IS REIMAGINING OUR APPROACH TO PUBLIC SAFETY.

RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE OUR POLICE GOING ON FAR TOO MANY CALLS RELATED TO HOMELESSNESS.

INSTEAD OF ACTUALLY HAVING OTHER TRAINED PROFESSIONALS WHO CAN DO THIS WORK DOING THAT.

PART OF WHAT I'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT NOW IS, HOW DO WE FUND PUBLIC SAFETY.

BECAUSE I KNOW ABOUT YOU AND ME AND EVERYBODY IN THIS AUDIENCE, THAT WE DIDN'T WAKE UP THIS MORNING HOPING TO CALL 911, RESPONDING AFTER A CRIME IS ONLY PART OF PUBLIC SAFETY, IT'S NOT PUBLIC SAFETY.

PUBLIC SAFETY ALSO INCLUDES PREVENTION, AND WE WANT TO BE SAFE, AND WE DO NEED TO REIMAGINE SYSTEMS THAT ARE NOT WORKING.

WE HAVE INCREASED OUR POLICE BUDGET OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS BY $100 MILLION.

THE MAJOR METRICS OF SAFETY, DO WE HAVE LESS VIOLENT CRIME.

ARE PEOPLE SAFER MOVING THROUGH COMMUNITIES.

ARE WE GETTING FASTER RESPONSE TIMES ARE NOT SEEING $100 MILLION WORTH OF OUTCOME.

JUST LIKE WITH HOMELESSNESS, THROWING MORE MONEY AT A SYSTEM IS NOT THE ANSWER.

WE ALSO HAVE TO THINK ABOUT HOW WE SPEND THAT MONEY EFFECTIVELY.

THERE ARE WAYS WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT OUR POLICE HAVE THE TIME AND ENERGY AND THE BANDWIDTH TO BE ABLE TO RESPOND TO THE CALLS THAT THEY WERE TRAINED AND HIRED TO DO.

AND OTHER PEOPLE CAN RESPOND TO CODE ENFORCEMENT CALLS, AND CALLS THAT ARE NONCRIMINAL CALLS.

POLICE CAN DO THE JOB THEY WERE DESIGNED TO.

AND THAT'S ALL PART OF REIMAGINING.

WE'RE TRYING TO REIMAGINE SYSTEMS THAT AREN'T NECESSARILY ONES THAT HAVE ALL THE PROBLEMS OF THE PAST, BUT IT DOESN'T MEAN WE DON'T HAVE PUBLIC SAFETY.

I AM THE FUND PUBLIC SAFETY CANDIDATE, BECAUSE I WANT REAL OUTCOMES AND I WANT US TO BE ABLE TO REIMAGINE WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE.

>> CANDIDATE, McCARTY, DO YOU HAVE A RESPONSE?

>> YES, DURING THE SUMMER OF 2020, AFTER SEEING GEORGE FLOYD BE MURDERED ON TV, WE SUPPORTED A LOT OF LEGISLATIONS, DR. COFER SUPPORTED MY LEGISLATION I SUPPORTED THEN, TO BRING ABOUT INVESTIGATIONS FOR OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTINGS.

I SUPPORT HAVING MORE ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY IN OUR POLICING.

I THINK DEFUNDING OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT IS A BRIDGE WAY TOO FAR.

WHEN I WAS A CITY COUNCILMEMBER YEARS AGO, WE HAD 67,000 FEWER PEOPLE AND 49 MORE POLICE OFFICERS.

OUR SACRAMENTO COUNTY GRAND JURY DID A REPORT, FOCUSSING ON MORE PEOPLE AND FEWER POLICE OFFICERS.

THE IDEA DR. COFER PRESENTS AS FAR AS TAKING $70 MILLION FROM THE EMPLOYMENT, WOULD NOT MAKE SACRAMENTO SAFER, IT WOULD MAKE US MORE SAFE.

I VEHEMENTLY OPPOSE THAT IDEA, WOULD I LIKE TO HAVE MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS RESPOND TO CALLS.

YOU CAN'T TAKE OFFICERS AWAY.

THOSE TWO THINGS GO HAND IN HAND AT THE SAME TIME.

>> I HAVE NEVER PROPOSED WE CUT OFFICERS.

I HAVE PROPOSED WE SHIFT DOLLARS FROM PUBLIC SAFETY, BECAUSE ALL OF THOSE DOLLARS CAME FROM MEASURE U.

AND MEASURE U WAS PROMISED TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, IT WAS PROMISED TO OUR PUBLIC HOUSING FUND WHICH IS PUBLIC SAFETY.

AND IT WAS PROMISED TO THE ARTS COMMUNITY AND WE STILL HAVE THOSE NEEDS.

IF WE HAD MADE THOSE INVESTMENTS, WE COULD -- THIS IS WHAT REIMAGINING IS, THINK BGS HOW WE CAN SPEND OUR DOLLARS, SO WE CAN GET THE OUTCOMES WE WANT.

IT'S TRUE WE HAVE 115 VACANCIES, IT'S ALSO TRUE WE DON'T HAVE ANYBODY IN THE ACADEMY TO BE ABLE TO FILL THOSE VACANCIES, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT SHIFTING SOME OF THE DOLLARS OVER TIME, WITHOUT HAVING TO CUT OFFICERS.

MAKING IT SO THAT WE ARE ACTUALLY FOLLOWING ALONG WITH WHAT LAPD CAME UP WITH AS A PROPOSAL LAST YEAR, TO SHIFT 28 CALLS THAT THEY SAY OTHER PROFESSIONALS WOULD BE MUCH BETTER TO RESPOND TO, SO THEY CAN FOCUS ON SOLVING CRIME.

THEY CAN FOCUS ON RESPONSE TIMES AND IMPROVE OFFICER MORAL.

THAT'S REIMAGINING PUBLIC SAFETY.

THAT'S ABOLISHING THIS IDEA OF WHAT WE HAVE, ABOUT WHAT POLICING IS SUPPOSED TO LOOK LIKE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THE NEXT QUESTION IS FOR ASSEMBLYMEMBER McCARTY.

WE'VE LISTENED TO WHAT YOU'VE HAD TO SAY ABOUT HOMELESSNESS, AND WE CAN'T HEARD AN IDEA THAT ISN'T ALREADY BEING DONE OR FALLS UNDER -- OR DOESN'T FALL UNDER THE PURVIEW OF THE COUNTY AND NOT THE CITY, YOU SAY THAT THE COUNTY NEEDS TO WORK BETTER WITH THE SITPY.

EVERYONE SAYS THAT, AND YET THE COUNTY HAS DEMONSTRATED IT CAN BE HARD TO WORK WITH.

IN MARCH OF THIS YEAR, YOU EXPRESSED A FRUSTRATION AT THE COUNTY, FOR MOVING SLOWLY TO IMPLEMENT THE $25 MILLION YOU GOT FOR THEM TO BUILD AN EMERGENCY SHELTER FOR PEOPLE LIVING ON THE PARKWAY.

TWO YEARS AFTER YOU ARRANGED FOR THE MONEY, THE COUNTY JUST A MONTH AGO, MOVED TO SPEND SOME OF THE MONEY, BUT NOT ALL OF IT.

THE QUESTION IS, IF YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO INFLUENCE THE COUNTY THIS YEAR, HOW WILL YOU BE ABLE TO INFLUENCE THEM NEXT YEAR IF YOU'RE ELECTED MAYOR.

>> LOOK, WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.

WE NEED TO LOCK IN WITH OUR NEIGHBORING JURISDICTIONS, NOT JUST THE COUNTY, THE CITY OF ELK GROVE, RANCHO CORDOVA WHO ARE RIGHT NEXT TO US, TO FOCUS ON HOW WE HAVE REGIONAL SERVICES TO THIS.

WE NEED TO WALK TOGETHER, NOT POINT FINGERS AT THE COUNTY.

THAT'S MY PHILOSOPHY HOW I'VE ALWAYS GOVERNED, I DON'T GO FAST BY MYSELF, I GO SLOW WITH OTHERS.

TALKING ABOUT IDEAS, HOW WE CAN PARTNER TOGETHER.

THE COUNTY SUPERVISOR WHO ASKED ME TO GET THE EARMARK IN THE BUDGET WAS EQUALLY AS FRUSTRATED IT TOOK SO LONG.

THAT'S A JOINT FEELING WE HAVE, TOO OFTEN WE FOCUS ON THE PERFECT SOLUTION AND NOT THE GOOD SOLUTION.

AGAIN, I WANT TO GO BACK TO PRACTICAL WAYS, HOW WE CAN GET MORE PEOPLE OFF THE STREETS.

THERE ARE 3,000 PEOPLE ON THE STREETS OF SACRAMENTO.

A LOT OF THE ADVOCATES WANT THESE PEOPLE TO HAVE A PERMIT, WHICH IS PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING, THAT'S $600,000 PER UNIT.

WE CAN ONLY DO 25, 30 OF THOSE PER YEAR FOCUSING ON THE MATH.

FINDING SPOTS THAT ARE NOT CITY PARKS, WHERE THEY CAN GO, WHERE THEY CAN CAMP, HAVE TINY HOMES.

THE COUNTY AND THE CITY HAVE COME A LONG WAY IN THE LAST 12 YEARS, HAVING MORE COORDINATION.

THE COUNTY OPENS A FACILITY, THE CITY OFFERS HELP TO PEOPLE.

>> DR. COFER, DO YOU HAVE A RESPONSE?

>> I THINK THIS ONE IS PRETTY SIMPLE.

WHICH IS WE NEED TO DO MORE PICKING UP THE PHONE IN THIS REGION.

WHEN THIS -- YOU KNOW, THERE'S SO MANY TIMES I CAN THINK OF THAT WE DIDN'T TALK TO EACH OTHER, WHEN, YOU KNOW, THE CITY WAS IN FINANCIAL TROUBLE THIS YEAR, INSTEAD OF TALKING TO THE SCHOOL BOARDS AROUND US, WE ANNOUNCED WE WERE GOING TO CUT K-12 REGIONAL TRANSIT, THEY WERE GOING TO PICK UP THE BILL.

THEY CAME TO CITY COUNCIL, WHAT'S GOING ON HERE, WHY DIDN'T YOU TALK TO US.

THE SAME THING IS TRUE HERE, I TALKED TO ONE OF KEVIN'S ENDORSERS, I DIDN'T THINK, FOR EXAMPLE, THIS BILL, FOR THE CITY AND THE COUNTY TO COLLABORATE, I THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO BE COSTLY, WE DIDN'T NEED IT.

WHAT CAN WE PUT IN PLACE.

AND BY THE WAY, WHEN YOU GIVE $25 MILLION TO A COUNTY THAT'S STRUGGLED TO SPEND MONEY, I MEAN, DURING COVID, WE WERE ALL WATCHING AS THE MONEY DIDN'T GO WHERE IT WAS SUPPOSED TO, AND PEOPLE DIED, WE LOST OUR COUNTY EXECUTIVE, I THINK I'D PUT STIPULATIONS ON HOW THEY SPEND THE MONEY.

THAT'S HOW WE ENFORCE A COLLABORATION.

OUR CITY COUNCILMEMBERS HAD TO GO TO THE COUNTY AND SAY, YOU DIDN'T TELL US WHAT THIS PLAN WAS.

AND YOU'RE TRYING TO SPEND IT IN THE CITY OF SACRAMENTO.

THAT'S NOT COLLABORATION, WE NEED PEOPLE TO DO THE OLD SCHOOL THING OF PICKING UP THE PHONE AND TALKING TO EACH OTHER BEFORE THEY MAKE THESE BIG DECISIONS.

>> SOY WOULD ASK BOTH OF YOU IN TERMS OF -- NOT TO BEAT UP ON THE COUNTY, BUT THAT'S WHAT I'M GOING TO DO.

THEY -- AT THE RECENT MEETING, CITY COUNCILWOMAN MONTEZ, REPEATEDLY ASKED THEM, I'M GOING TO WORK WITH YOU ON THIS, THEY NEVER CALLED HER, SHE FOUND OUT ABOUT -- THAT THIS WAS COMING THE WAY THE REST OF US DID, AND THEN SHE WHEN SHE GOT UP TO SPEAK, THE -- THE ACTUAL DEMOCRATS ON THE BOARD, SEEMED TO TAKE OFFENSE BY HER ACTUALLY DANING TO SPEAK BEFORE THEM.

SO IT SEEMS THAT THERE'S A PROBLEM THERE, AND I'M WONDERING HOW EACH OF YOU WOULD DEAL WITH THAT, THAT THE COUNTY SEEMS TO BE RESENTFUL WHEN SOMEONE FROM THE CITY WANTS TO ACTUALLY COLLABORATE AND SHARE AN OPINION ON HOW THEY SPEND THEIR MONEY.

WE'LL START WITH SENATOR McCARTY.

>> THIS IS SOMETHING I'M FAMILIAR WITH, IS WORKING TOGETHER.

WE CAN'T SOLVE THESE PROBLEMS ON OUR OWN.

I HAVE COUNTLESS EXAMPLES WHERE I WORKED WITH OTHER CITY COUNCILMEMBERS TO FOCUS ON WORKING TOGETHER.

SO I'M A COMMUNICATOR, I'M A COLLABORATOR, I DON'T THINK WE CAN WORK ON THIS ISSUE, BY POINTING OUR FINGERS AND WRITING EDITORIALS AS FAR AS BLAMING THE COUNTY OR THE COUNTY BLAMING US.

WE NEED TO WORK ON THESE THINGS TOGETHER.

MOST IMPORTANTLY, THE COUNTY HAS 10 TIMES MORE RESOURCES THAN THE CITY DEALING WITH HOMELESSNESS AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH.

MANY PEOPLE WE SEE ON THE STREETS RIGHT NOW, IS UNTREATED MENTAL ILLNESS.

HOW DO WE HAVE MORE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH FACILITIES IN SACRAMENTO.

OUR POLICE AND FIRE WHEN THEY SEE SOMEONE -- THEY CAN TAKE THAT PERSON AND GET THEM TREATMENT.

IF THEY DON'T WANT TO GET TREATMENT, I BELIEVE IN COMPULSORY TREATMENT FOR SOME INDIVIDUALS.

WE NEED TO BE WORKING TOGETHER MORE, IT'S AN APPROACH WE HAVE ALWAYS HAD, I WILL IMPLEMENT THAT AS MAYOR OF SACRAMENTO.

>> ASSEMBLYMEMBER McCARTY, I WANT TO FOLLOW UP ON THAT, BECAUSE RESPECTFULLY, THE DESCRIPTION YOU HAVE OF THIS WORKING TOGETHER ALMOST SOUNDS LIKE A KUMBAYA MOMENT, I THINK THE VOTERS WOULD APPRECIATE UNDERSTANDING THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN NOT POINTING FINGERS, BUT HOLDING SOMEONE APPROPRIATE OR AN ENTITY LIKE THE COUNTY.

ACCOUNTABLE FOR DOING THEIR FAIR SHARE IN SOLVING THE PROBLEM.

HOW DO YOU DESCRIBE THAT DISTINCTION?

>> YEAH, I THINK IT'S SUGAR NOT VINEGAR.

BY POINTING FINGERS AT PEOPLE IS NOT GOING TO BE EFFECTIVE.

THE COUNTY OF SACRAMENTO IS NOT ACCOUNTABLE TO THE MAYOR OF SACRAMENTO.

THE CITY OF SACRAMENTO IS ACCOUNTABLE TO VOTERS IN THE FIVE DISTRICTS.

POINTING FINGERS, SAYING THEY SHOULD BE DOING MORE, A LOT OF PEOPLE COME UP TO ME AND SAY, SHOULDN'T THE COUNTY BE THE HOMELESS RESPONSE AGENCY.

KEEP IN MIND, UP UNTIL 4, 5, 6 YEARS AGO, THE CITY OF SACRAMENTO DIDN'T SPEND A PENNY EVERY YEAR.

MANY PEOPLE, OUR CITY MANAGER SAYS, THIS WOULD ALL BE IN THE COUNTY.

WE'RE ALL ON THIS TOGETHER.

AGAIN, ESPECIALLY IF THEY HAVE WAY MORE RESOURCES, DEALING WITH ISSUES OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, AND SERVICES FOR OUR HOMELESS, WE NEED TO ZERO IN AND WORK MORE ON PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY AND COUNTY.

>> DO YOU AGREE WITH ASSEMBLYMEMBER McCARTY, IN TERMS OF WORKING TOGETHER VERSUS FINGER POINTING, AND THAT IT'S A SUGARED APPROACH THAT WILL GENERATE THE BEST RESULTS?

>> PARTLY.

I AGREE THAT WE DO NEED TO WORK TOGETHER, AND A DEGREE THAT THAT INVOLVES RELATIONSHIP BUILDING, I ALSO AM VERY CLEAR THAT COLLABORATION IS AN ENDORSEMENT, AND IT'S CONVERSATION, IT'S LISTENING TO EACH OTHER, IT'S BEING WILLING TO BE HONEST WITH EACH OTHER.

WHAT I SAID HERE TODAY ABOUT THE CITY MANAGER'S CONTRACT, I SAID TO HIM, DIRECTLY.

AND YOU KNOW WHAT HE SAID, THANK YOU FOR SAYING IT TO ME.

I'M NOT A PERSON WHO MINCES WORDS, I'M NOT A PERSON THAT WILL SMILE IN YOUR FACE AND TURN AROUND AND DO SOMETHING ELSE.

THERE'S TOO MUCH NICENESS AND NOT ENOUGH DIRECTNESS AND TRUST.

TRUST IS NOT ABOUT AGREEING WITH EACH OTHER.

IT'S ABOUT KNOWING WHERE YOU STAND, AND WHEN I WALK OUT THE ROOM, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO CHANGE YOUR MIND AND STAB ME IN THE BACK.

THERE'S TOO MUCH EGO, AND NOT ENOUGH FOCUS ON ACTUALLY GETTING OUTCOMES.

THAT'S WHAT OUR COLLABORATION SHOULD BE ABOUT, IT'S ABOUT A MEETING OF THE MINDS WHERE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT WHAT OUR SHARE OF GOALS ARE AND HOW WE GET THERE.

WE'RE ABLE TO DISAGREE WITH EACH OTHER, WITHOUT WALKING AWAY FROM THE TABLE.

OR WITHOUT HAVING TO LIE ABOUT PERSPECTIVES OR NOT HAVING TO CAST THEM OFF ABOUT NOT BEING ENGAGING.

I TALK TO EVERYONE IN THIS COUNTY.

THAT'S WHAT LEADERSHIP IS, AND THAT'S HOW YOU COLLABORATE WITH PEOPLE.

I MADE IT CLEAR, EVERYONE WHO WANTS TO SERVE AND LIVES IN SACRAMENTO IS WELCOME.

THAT'S WHAT LEADERSHIP LOOKED LIKE, IT'S NOT ABOUT WHO HAS DIRECT CONTROL OVER THINGS, IT'S ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER FOR SHARED OUTCOMES, AND MAKING SURE WE'RE HONEST AND CLEAR WITH EACH OTHER ABOUT HOW TO GET THERE.

>> LET'S TURN TO THINKING ABOUT THE FUTURE.

ASSEMBLYMEMBER McCARTY, IN THE 2040 GENERAL PLAN, THE CITY OF SACRAMENTO, HAS FOCUSED ON BECOMING THE MOST LIVABLE CITY IN AMERICA.

WHAT WOULD SACRAMENTO NEED TO DO TO REACH THIS GOAL?

AND HOW WILL YOU AS MAYOR MAKE THIS A PRIORITY?

>> WELL, THAT'S A KEY ISSUE, I THINK ABOUT RUNNING FOR MAYOR.

I LOOK AT MY TWO TEENAGED DAUGHTERS, AND I THINK ABOUT WHAT CITY ARE THEY GOING TO HAVE FIVE, TEN, 20 YEARS FROM NOW.

I WANT THEM TO BE PROUD OF SACRAMENTO, BUT I ALSO WANT THEM TO HAVE A CITY THAT WORKS FOR THEM, THAT HAS A VIBRANT ECONOMY, HOUSING AT ALL LEVELS, THAT PEOPLE CAN AFORWARD TO LIVE IN OUR CORE.

NOT HAVE TO LIVE AND DRIVE 40 MILES AWAY.

HOUSING, AND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION ARE KEY ISSUES.

AS MAYOR, I WANT TO LEAD THE CITY OF SACRAMENTO, WORKING WITH THE OTHER JURISDICTIONS TO EXPAND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, TO MAKING SURE WE HAVE LIGHT RAIL FROM DOWNTOWN TO NOTOMAS AND THE AIRPORT.

MAKING SURE WE HAVE MORE COMPLETE STREETS, AND LIVEABILITY SO PEOPLE CAN GET OUT OF THEIR CARS, MAKING SURE WE CAN FOLK TUESDAY ON TURNING THE PAGE WITH A CLEAN ENERGY ECONOMY HERE IN SACRAMENTO.

FOCUSING ON EV INFRASTRUCTURE, ONE THING I'M GOING TO BE ZEROED IN ON AS MAYOR, DRAWING DOWN RESOURCES, BECAUSE I'M A FORMER TEN-YEAR STATE LAWMAKER, I KNOW THE OFFICIALS AT THE STATE LEVEL, I'M GOING TO FOCUS ON HOW SACRAMENTO CAN GET OUR FAIR SHARE OR MORE OF OUR FAIR SHARE FOR CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE.

HELPING BUSINESSES AND RESIDENTS SWAP OUT THEIR APPLIANCES AND ENERGY.

THE CITY OF SACRAMENTO CAN BE A LEADER, YOU KNOW, THESE LEADERS ARE DEMOCRACY, WE CAN THINK GLOBALLY, BUT ACT LOCALLY, FOCUSING ON A CLEAN 2040.

>> DR. COFER, SAME QUESTION TO YOU.

THIS IS THE CITY SACRAMENTO'S TARGET FOR 2040 IN ITS GENERAL PLAN, HOW WOULD YOU APPROACH MAKING SACRAMENTO THE MOST LIVABLE CITY IN AMERICA?

>> WELL, FOR ONE, I WANT TO THINK ABOUT, WHAT DO WE NEED TO LIVE IN OUR CITY?

WE NEED AFFORDABLE HOUSING, I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE PRIORITIZING, TURNING OUR VACANT PROPERTIES INTO HOUSING, MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE BUILDING, BUT MAKING SURE WE'RE ALSO DOING ADAPTIVE REUSE, I WANT TO FOCUS ON CLIMATE CHANGE.

WE HAVE AGGI SQUARE, AND PHASE ONE IS ABOUT LIFE SCIENCES.

CAN WE WORK TO MAKE PHASE TWO ABOUT ENERGY?

WE HAVE A LOT OF SOLAR ENERGY HERE, AND IF WE CAN THINK ABOUT HOW TO RESTORE IT, THAT WILL BE A GREAT FUTURE.

HOW CAN WE GET A CAMPUS, A RESIDENTIAL CAMPUS DOWNTOWN, SO WE HAVE YOUNG PEOPLE BUZZING ABOUT, WHEN BUSINESSES USED TO SHUT DOWN, THE YOUNG PEOPLE DO TOO.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T LEAVE MONEY ON THE TABLE.

BECAUSE WE ACTUALLY HAVE, OVER THE LAST PAST FEW YEARS WE LEFT AT LEAST $12 MILLION IN VIOLENCE PREVENTION FUND, CAL TRANS DOLLARS ON THE TABLE.

IT'S FRUSTRATING, THE NUMBER ONE PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE IN SACRAMENTO BY VOLUME IS PEOPLE BEING KILLED AND SEVERELY INJURED IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS.

I WANT PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO WALK AND BIKE AND MOVE AROUND OUR CITY, NOT BE AFRAID THEY'RE GOING TO BE KILLED OR SEVERELY INJURED IN THE PROCESS.

I WANT US TO HAVE EVERY SINGLE NEIGHBORHOOD IN SACRAMENTO, HAVE A POINT OF DESTINATION FOR ENTERTAINMENT, AND FOR LIVE MUSIC AND ART, A PLACE THAT YOU CAN FEEL PRIDE, PEOPLE COME TO YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT.

I WANT SACRAMENTO TO BE A PLACE THAT IS THRIVING FOR ALL OF US, AND I THINK WE CAN DO THAT TOGETHER.

>> ALL RIGHT, SO WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE DOWNTOWN, AND WE'LL START WITH DR. COFER.

DOWNTOWN SACRAMENTO HAS EXPERIENCED A LOT IN THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, THE PANDEMIC, THE CIVIL UNREST OF 2020, THE GROWTH IN HOMELESSNESS, AND A LACK OF PEOPLE, BECAUSE OF THE STATE'S REMOTE WORK POLICIES AND PEOPLE FEELING THAT IT'S AN UNSAFE PLACE TO GO.

THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA AND THE COUNTY AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OWNS A BIG SWATH OF BUILDINGS IN DOWNTOWN SACRAMENTO, AND I'VE ACTUALLY SEEN THE MAP, AND IT'S STUNNING WHEN YOU SEE IT, WHEN YOU VISUALIZE IT, AND THE NUMBER OF DEAD BUILDINGS THERE ARE IN OUR DOWNTOWN.

AS MAYOR, WHAT WOULD YOU DEMAND FROM THE STATE AND FROM OTHER GOVERNMENT STAKEHOLDERS TO REVIVE DOWNTOWN SACRAMENTO?

>> I THINK THERE WAS A DEBT THAT'S OWED, AND UNLIKE MY OPPONENT, I DON'T SUPPORT GIVING AWAY THE BUILDINGS FOR FREE TO DEVELOPERS.

WE CAN DO SOME ADAPTIVE REUSE IN THOSE BUILDINGS, TO BE ABLE TO BRING SAC STATE DOWNTOWN, SO WE HAVE A CAMPUS DOWN THERE.

THAT ONLY REQUIRES TWO SIGNATURES FROM DGS, IT'S NOT THIS LONG LEGISLATIVE PROCESS, AND NOW WE HAVE YOUNG PEOPLE, LIKE OTHER THRIVING CITIES, LIVING DOWNTOWN, MAJORING IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE, MAJORING IN POLITICAL SCIENCE.

RIGHT THERE AT THE HEART OF THE FOURTH -- THE CAPITAL OF THE FOURTH LARGEST ECONOMY ON CAPITAL EARTH.

THAT'S AN EXCITING PLACE TO BE, AND ESPECIALLY BECAUSE THERE'S SO MUCH OTHER ACTIVITY HAPPENING DOWNTOWN.

WHAT THE PARTNERSHIP HAS BEEN CLEAR ABOUT, PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO COME DOWNTOWN FOR WORK, THEY WANT TO COME DOWNTOWN FOR ENTERTAINMENT.

IF YOU'RE COMING TO J STREET, ONCE YOU GET PAST THE CAPTAIN SAWYER, THERE ARE A LOT OF EMPTY BUILDINGS.

I WANT TO LOOK AT, CAN WE STAGE SOME OF THOSE SPACES, SO WE'RE SEEING OUR ARTISTS THERE, IT STILL SAYS FOR SALE OR FOR LEASE, SO PEOPLE CAN ENVISION, WHAT COULD BE THERE.

WHEN PEOPLE COME TO SACRAMENTO TO VISIT OR COME DOWNTOWN TO ENJOY IT, THEY'RE THINKING ABOUT HOW THEY COULD BE PART OF THE DOWNTOWN.

WE NEED TO INFUSE SOME LIFE AND ENERGY INTO DOWNTOWN, BECAUSE IT'S BEEN THROUGH A LOT.

FORCING STATE WORKERS BACK INTO THE OFFICE IS NOT THE WAY TO GO.

WHAT WE NEED TO BE DOING RIGHT NOW, IS MAKING SURE WE'RE PUSHING AND BUILDING A VISION FOR THE FUTURE.

>> ASSEMBLYMEMBER McCARTY.

>> YEAH, I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE FUTURE OF DOWNTOWN, IN LARGE PART BECAUSE POST PANDEMIC, THE NATURE OF WORK IS CHANGING FOREVER, WE'RE NOT GOING TO PUT THE GENIE BACK IN THE BOTTLE AS FAR AS TELEWORKING.

MOST OF THOSE BUILDINGS ARE STATE OR FEDERALLY OWNED, WHAT I WANT TO DO IS PUT THOSE BUILDINGS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR HAND, BUILD HOUSING, BUILD ENTERTAINMENT VENUES, BUILD RESTAURANTS.

GET THOSE ON THE CITY -- ONE THING I'M FOCUSING ON THE STATE, I'M ALREADY WRITING THE LAW, I WROTE THE LAW THAT'S TURNING THE EDD BUILDING INTO 400 PLUS AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS.

ADAPTIVE REUSE.

THERE'S TWO OTHER BUILDINGS NEXT ON THE LIST ON 7th, 8th AND P. WE HAVE A ZERO HOW WE CAN BRING MORE ACTIVITY TO THE HEART OF SACRAMENTO.

EVEN DURING IT'S BEST DAYS IT WASN'T ALWAYS PENCILLING OUT FOR OUR BUSINESSES.

I SUPPORT BRINGING MORE ACTIVITY.

PARTNERING WITH UC TO BUILD STUDENT HOUSING RIGHT THERE AT THE CORE OF SACRAMENTO DOWNTOWN.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU, CANDIDATE McCARTY.

>> AS WE CONCLUDE TODAY'S DEBATE, WE WILL ASK THE CANDIDATES FOR THEIR CLOSING REMARKS.

WE WILL START IN REVERSE ORDER OF THE OPENING REMARKS, AND EACH CANDIDATE WILL HAVE ONE MINUTE.

CANDIDATE McCARTY?

>> I'M EXCITED TO BE THE NEXT MAYOR OF SACRAMENTO.

WE HAVE BIG CHALLENGES, BUT I KNOW I AM READY TO LEAN IN, AND TACKLE OUR PROBLEMS BIG AND SMALL.

WHEN I WAS A YOUNG COUNCILMEMBER AND I GOT THE CALL FROM THE POLICE CHIEF THAT SOME TEENAGER WAS SHOT IN FRONT OF A COMMUNITY CENTER.

I SAID, HOW DO WE MAKE SURE THOSE COMMUNITY CENTERS ARE OPEN ON FRIDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHTS TO KEEP THOSE KIDS OUT OF TROUBLING.

WHICH IS THE MODEL TODAY.

WHEN TOO MANY PROPERTIES WERE BEING RUNOVER BY ABSENTEE LANDLORDS, I WORKED TO CREATE A PROGRAM TO FOCUS ON BRINGING THOSE UNITS BACK INTO COMPLIANCE AND CLEANING UP NEIGHBORHOODS.

AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, WHEN DOWNTOWN SAW PEOPLE LEAVE, I WROTE A CREATIVE LAW TO BRING ABOUT ADAPTIVE REUSE OF THOSE BUILDINGS TO BRING LIFE AND HOUSING BACK TO THE CORE OF SACRAMENTO.

I'M ALWAYS LOOKING FOR SOLUTIONS, I'M PROUD TO HAVE SUPPORT FROM BUSINESS AND LABOR, FIREFIGHTERS AND POLICE OFFICERS, AND COMMUNITY RESIDENTS THROUGHOUT THE CITY OF SACRAMENTO.

I'D BE HONORED TO EARN YOUR VOTE AS THE NEXT MAYOR OF THE CITY OF SACRAMENTO.

>> THANK YOU.

CANDIDATE COFER.

>> I'M A CANDIDATE WHO HAS PUBLIC HEALTH EXPERIENCE AND EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE, BOTH MAKING SURE THAT ORGANIZATIONS ACHIEVE RESULTS, AND ALSO WORKING TO PASS FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL POLICY, I'M EXCITED TO WORK WITH PEOPLE ACROSS SACRAMENTO.

PEOPLE FEELING THEIR VOICES HAVE BEEN UNHEARD, BECAUSE OF THE WAY WE DO BUSINESS.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU'RE INVITED INTO THE PROCESS.

THERE'S A BRIGHT FUTURE FOR SACRAMENTO WHEN WE WORK TOGETHER.

30,000 PEOPLE WAKE UP EARLY TO RUN TO FEED THE HUNGRY.

WE WANT TO SUPPORT THE FOOD BANK.

I WANT TO HARNESS THAT ENERGY TOWARD THE FUTURE.

THAT'S WHY I'M EXCITED TO BE A LABOR CANDIDATE, WHO'S ENDORSED BY SO MANY UNIONS, FROM NURSES TO TEACHERS, TO TRANSIT WORKERS.

I'M EXCITED TO BE YOUR PARTNER, AND MAKING SURE THAT FAMILIES IN SACRAMENTO ARE SUPPORTED.

I'M EXCITED TO BE YOUR CANDIDATE TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE A BRIGHT FUTURE HERE, AND YOUR VOICE IS AMPLIFIED.

I WOULD BE HONORED IF YOU WOULD VOTE FOR US, AND WORK WITH US, IN THE FUTURE.

>> DR. COFER, ASSEMBLYMEMBER McCARTY, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AND SHARING YOUR VIEWS WITH US TODAY.

THIS CONCLUDES TODAY'S SACRAMENTO MAYORAL DEBATE.

WE'VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR FROM THE CANDIDATES, EACH WITH THEIR OWN PERSPECTIVES AND PLANS, FOR ADDRESSING THE CHALLENGES THAT SACRAMENTO FACES.

WE HOPE EXCHANGES LIKE THIS, ARE A REMINDER OF THE IMPORTANT ISSUES FACING OUR CITY.

AND OUR INDIVIDUAL VOTE MATTERS IN DECIDING ITS FUTURE.

ON BEHALF OF MY COLLEAGUE, MARCOS BRETON, THE SACRAMENTO BEE AND PBS KVIE, I'M SCOTT SYPHAX, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

AND REMEMBER TO VOTE.

>> THE SACRAMENTO MAYORAL CANDIDATES DEBATE 2024 WAS BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE SACRAMENTO BEE AND PBS KVIE.

THIS PRODUCTION IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF AARP CALIFORNIA.