The governor of California. Gavin Newsom confirmed Friday that he and Democratic leaders in the state Legislature are trying to negotiate a measure to reform Proposition 47 on the November ballot. Proposition 47, an initiative passed by voters a decade ago, became famous for easing penalties for drug and theft crimes in California and was blamed by various law enforcement, business and other groups for the state’s theft problems. “There are a lot of moving parts, a lot of negotiations happening simultaneously,” the governor said while speaking to reporters in San Francisco. “Proposition 47 is included.” (See his full exchange in the video below.) Newsom and some Democratic state politicians have said they do not support the bipartisan effort to amend Proposition 47. In response to voters’ concerns about crime , Newsom and legislative leaders are pushing a group of citizens to Security-related bills are circulating through the Capitol and attempting to crack down on organized retail thefts, car burglaries and other crimes. The latest data from the Secretary of State’s office shows the Prop 47 reform initiative is likely headed to the ballot. Supporters of the measure, supported by both Republicans and Democrats, have collected 910,000 signatures which are still being verified. | RELATED | What you need to know about the petition to amend Prop 47, which classifies certain CA crimes as misdemeanors. Multiple sources told KCRA 3 that some Democratic parties plan to add inoperability clauses to public safety legislation as early as next week that would prevent them from taking effect. if voters approve the reforms in Proposition 47. Some Democrats say it’s to ensure there won’t be inconsistencies in the law, something the campaign rejected Friday. Republicans call this tactic a poison pill. Newsom did not say Friday whether he would sign the legislation if it ends up including inoperability clauses. KCRA 3 asked him if he and legislative leaders weren’t confident that voters would reject the measure if the question was put to them in November. “I just don’t think it’s necessary to put it on the ballot,” Newsom responded. “Why have something on the ballot that doesn’t actually accomplish the intended goals? Why do something that can be done legislatively, with more flexibility? I think that’s a better approach.” Gen. Rob Bonta wrote in the title of the ballot summary that it would ‘prevent attempts to combat retail theft,’ which is what it really is, the minority leader said Assembly Republican James Gallagher on inoperability clauses “What they’re trying to do is take away the ability of voters to vote on this. He’s trying to strengthen the coalition that supports this initiative.” “These poison pill amendments are political gamesmanship at its best,” said Greg Totten on behalf of the initiative’s campaign known as Californians for Safer Communities “The priority of our coalition, which includes more than 2,000 small businesses, social justice organizations, drug treatment advocates and law enforcement, is to support solutions that will hold repeat retail thefts and criminals accountable. drug dealers. The package – without the poison pills – is non-conflicting. There is absolutely no political justification for including them except to pressure their supporters and divide those seeking criminal justice reforms. said Totten While the campaign expressed appreciation for legislative efforts to address the state’s public safety problems, the group said the changes it wants would require voter approval. The ballot initiative specifically amends Proposition 47 to strengthen penalties for repeat thieves, requiring those who steal for a third time to spend up to three years in prison. It would also classify possession of fentanyl as a felony. Democratic state Senate pro tempore Mike McGuire said the initiative was unnecessary and the public safety legislative package made more sense. “If you want a set of laws that will reduce retail theft, this plan is exactly what this state needs. That’s why these bills are supported by trusted law enforcement, firefighters, retailers, store owners and local leaders,” McGuire said. “These 14 bills that will pass the next week are not about partisan politics, they are about keeping the people of California “The secretary of state has until June 27 to certify the November vote, meaning Democratic leaders have just a few weeks to attempt to negotiate When KCRA 3 asked Newsom if he would join the separate campaign mounted to fight the initiative if it makes it to the November ballot, he replied: “I think you have my position settled.” See more coverage of California’s top stories here | Download our app.
The governor of California. Gavin Newsom confirmed Friday that he and Democratic leaders in the state Legislature are trying to negotiate a measure to reform Proposition 47 on the November ballot.
Proposition 47, an initiative passed by voters a decade ago, became famous for easing penalties for drug and theft crimes in California and was blamed by various law enforcement, business and other groups for the state’s theft problems.
“There are a lot of moving parts, a lot of negotiations happening simultaneously,” the governor said while speaking to reporters in San Francisco. “Proposition 47 is included.”
(See his full exchange in the video below.)
Newsom and some Democratic state opponents have said they do not support the bipartisan effort to amend Proposition 47. In response to voters’ concerns about crime, Newsom and legislative leaders are pushing a series of bills public safety bills circulating around the Capitol that attempt to crack down on organized retail thefts, car burglaries and other crimes.
The latest data from the Secretary of State’s office shows the Prop 47 reform initiative is likely headed to the ballot. Supporters of the measure, supported by both Republicans and Democrats, have collected 910,000 signatures which are still being verified.
| RELATED | What you need to know about the petition to amend Prop 47, which made certain CA crimes misdemeanors
Multiple sources tell KCRA 3 that some Democratic lawmakers are considering adding inoperability clauses to public safety legislation as early as next week, which would prevent them from taking effect if voters approve the proposal’s reforms. 47. Some Democrats say this is to ensure there are no inconsistencies in the law, which the campaign rejected Friday. Republicans call this tactic a poison pill.
Newsom did not say Friday whether he would sign the legislation if it ends up including inoperability clauses. KCRA 3 asked him if he and legislative leaders weren’t confident that voters would reject the measure if the question was put to them in November.
“I just don’t think it’s necessary to put it on the ballot,” Newsom responded. “Why put something on the ballot that doesn’t actually accomplish the intended goals? Why do something that can be done legislatively, with more flexibility? I think that’s a better approach.”
“This whole ploy is simply allowing Attorney General Rob Bonta to write on the title of the ballot summary that it would ‘hamper attempts to combat retail theft,’ which is what this is really about ” Assembly Republican Minority Leader James Gallagher said of the bill. inoperability clauses. “What they’re trying to do is take away the opportunity for voters to vote on this issue. It’s trying to strengthen the coalition that supports this initiative.”
“These poison pill amendments are political gamesmanship at its finest,” said Greg Totten on behalf of the initiative campaign known as Californians for Safer Communities.
“The priority of our coalition, which includes more than 2,000 small businesses, social justice organizations, drug treatment advocates and law enforcement, is to support solutions that will hold repeat retail thefts and traffickers accountable drug. The package – without the poison pills – does not conflict. There is absolutely no political justification for including them except to pressure supporters and divide those seeking criminal justice reforms,” Totten said.
Although the campaign expressed appreciation for legislative efforts to address the state’s public safety problems, the group said the changes it wants would require voter approval.
The ballot initiative specifically amends Proposition 47 to strengthen penalties for repeat thieves, requiring those who steal for a third time to spend up to three years in prison. It would also classify possession of fentanyl as a felony.
Democratic state Senate pro tempore Mike McGuire said the initiative was unnecessary and the public safety legislative package made more sense.
“If you want a set of laws that will reduce retail theft, this plan is exactly what this state needs. That’s why these bills are supported by trusted law enforcement, firefighters, retailers, store owners and local leaders,” McGuire said. “These 14 bills that will pass the Next week are not about partisan politics, they are about keeping the people of California safe.”
The secretary of state has until June 27 to certify the November vote, meaning Democratic leaders have just weeks to try to negotiate.
When KCRA 3 asked Newsom if he would join the separate campaign mounted to fight the initiative if it makes it onto the November ballot, he responded, “I think you have my position settled.”
See more coverage of California’s top stories here | Download our app.