California Gov. Gavin Newsom said Friday that he and Democratic leaders in the state Legislature are trying to negotiate Proposition 47 reform measures after the November vote, but Republican leaders affirmed support for voters to decide whether Parts of this initiative should be scrapped.
Proposition 47, approved by voters in 2014, would make several crimes including shoplifting, theft and receiving stolen property a misdemeanor instead of a felony if the value of the property does not exceed $950. It also reduces penalties for personal use of most illegal drugs below certain levels.
Law enforcement, businesses and others blamed the move on an increase in thefts in California, according to KCRA.
“There’s a lot of changes, a lot of negotiations going on at the same time,” Newsom told reporters Friday. “Proposition 47 is included as well.”
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California Gov. Gavin Newsom said he and Democratic leaders in the state Legislature are working hard to negotiate reforms to Proposition 47 after the November vote. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
The governor and some Democrats have said they do not support a bipartisan effort to amend Proposition 47. and other crime issues.
The Proposition 47 reform initiative is likely to make it to the ballot, according to new data from the California Secretary of State’s office. Supporters of the reform have collected 910,000 signatures in support of the ballot measure, although the signatures are still being verified.
According to KCRA, some Democratic lawmakers plan to add inoperability provisions to the public safety bill to prevent them from taking effect after voters approve the Proposition 47 reforms. Some Democrats say this is to ensure there are no inconsistencies in the law, a claim rejected Friday by campaigns seeking to reform Proposition 47.
Republicans called the plan a “poison pill.” On Thursday, Republican leaders wrote to Democratic leaders announcing their opposition to a “poison pill” that would include repealing retail theft laws if voters pass Proposition 47 reforms.
“To combat California’s crime wave, we need to strengthen laws in the Legislature and at the ballot box,” Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones said in a statement. “Forcing voters to make a false choice between the two is irresponsible. Responsible. Unfortunately, some Democratic politicians are too proud to admit their mistakes on Proposition 47, and they continue to deny the urgent need for reform.
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The governor and some Democrats have said they do not support a bipartisan effort to amend Proposition 47. (Media News Group/East Bay Times via Getty Images)
Newsom declined to say whether he would sign the bill if it contained inoperable provisions. Asked if he was not confident voters would reject the measure if it made it to the November ballot, the governor said he didn’t see a need to put it on the ballot.
“Why have something on the ballot that doesn’t actually accomplish what it’s supposed to do? Why do something that can be done more flexibly through legislation? I think that’s a better approach,” he said.
The ballot initiative would amend Proposition 47 to strengthen penalties for habitual thieves, requiring those who steal a third time to spend up to three years in prison. The measure would also make possession of fentanyl a felony.
Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher said in a statement that “Democrats need to stop playing political games over public safety and let voters decide whether to amend Proposition 47.” “These poison pills show that Democrats are not serious about ending the crime wave — they just want to appear to be doing something because their support of criminals over the years has become a political liability.”
Proposition 47, approved by voters a decade ago, makes several crimes, including shoplifting, theft and receiving stolen property, misdemeanors rather than felonies if the property’s value does not exceed $950. (Fox News)
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Democratic Senate Pro Tem Mike McGuire said the measure was unnecessary and that a legislative public safety package would be a better option.
“If you want a set of laws that will curb retail theft, this program is exactly what our state needs,” McGuire said. “That’s why these bills have the support of law enforcement, firefighters, retailers, store owners and Trusted local leaders. The 14 bills being introduced next week have nothing to do with partisan politics and everything to do with keeping Californians safe.
California’s secretary of state has until June 27 to approve the November ballot, meaning Democratic leaders have just weeks to try to negotiate off-ballot measures.
