Mayor Daniel Lurie has gained the ability to directly raise funds from private donors for anti-fentanyl initiatives, a decision made by the city board that relinquished its prior approval of such "behested payments." Critics argue that this change could enable wealthy individuals, some with controversial backgrounds, to exert undue influence over city policies and priorities. While Lurie’s approach leans towards philanthropy to address social issues rather than taxing the wealthy, it raises questions about the sustainability and accountability of this funding model for essential services, including mental health and substance use treatment.
Mayor Lurie now has the executive authority to raise funds from private donors for his fentanyl crackdown, bypassing typical approvals needed for behested payments.
The board’s decision to relinquish authority allows Lurie to solicit donations without oversight, opening the door to potential influence from wealthy contributors.
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