Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Top California Democrats Propose Ballot Measure to Combat Retail Theft
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 5 months ago on
July 1, 2024

Top California Democrats have announced a ballot measure to crack down on retail theft, competing with a similar business-backed proposal, with plans to increase penalties for repeat offenders and bring it to voters in November. (GV Wire Composite/Paul Marshall)

Share

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Top California Democrats announced Sunday they will ask voters to approve a plan cracking down on retail theft.

Effort to Compete With Another Measure

The plan is an effort to compete with another crime-focused measure backed by a coalition of business groups that lawmakers said would result in more people being put behind bars. Both proposals would include make shoplifting a felony for repeat offenders and increase penalties for fentanyl dealers.

Under the retailers’ plan, any prior theft-related convictions, even if they happened years ago, would count toward a three-strike policy for increased sentences. Lawmakers also are proposing harsher punishment for repeat thieves, but the convictions would have to happen within three years of each other.

Prosecutors could aggregate the amount of all stolen goods within three years to charge harsher offenses under the Democrats’ plan.

Lawmakers Want This on November Ballot

Lawmakers hope to place the measure on the ballot in November. They will vote to advance the plan and deliver it to Gov. Gavin Newsom for his signature before the deadline on Wednesday.

The last-minute plan is an attempt by top California Democrats to override another initiative cracking down on shoplifters and drug dealers, which is backed by a broad coalition of businesses, law enforcement and local officials.

The proposal by the business groups, which is already on the November ballot, would also make possession of fentanyl a felony and authorize judges to order those with multiple drug charges to get treatment.

Lawmakers said the change would disproportionately incarcerate low-income people and those with substance use issues rather than target ringleaders who hire large groups of people to steal goods for resale online.

Republican lawmakers blasted the Democrats’ plan, with one calling it “ a sham ” to confuse voters.

Coalition of Retailers and State Leaders Clash

The coalition of retailers and state leaders have clashed over how to crack down retail theft crimes.

The retailers’ proposal would roll back parts of Proposition 47, the progressive ballot measure approved by 60% of state voters in 2014 that reduced certain theft and drug possession offenses from felonies to misdemeanors to help address overcrowding in jails. In recent years, Proposition 47 has become the focus of critics who say California is too lax on crime.

Democrat leaders, including Newsom, repeatedly rejected calls to unravel Proposition 47 or to go back to voters for crime reforms.

Democratic lawmakers were fast-tracking a legislative package of 13 bills that would go after organized online reseller schemes and auto thieves and provide funding for drug addiction counselors. State leaders planned to enact the proposals into laws as soon as this month and void the package if voters approve the business groups’ proposal in November. They abandoned that plan Saturday night.

Democrats also are concerned the retailers’ tough-on-crime proposal would drive more Republicans and conservative voters to the polls in contested U.S. House races that could determine control of Congress.

Crime is shaping up to be the major political issue in California’s November’s election. San Francisco Mayor London Breed and Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón face tough reelection bids against challengers who have criticized their approaches to crime and punishment.

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

Listeria Outbreak Tied to Yu Shang Food Leaves California Infant Dead and 10 People Sick

DON'T MISS

UN Expert: Myanmar’s Desperate Military Ramps Up Attacks Including Beheadings, Rapes and Torture

DON'T MISS

Christine Pelosi Leads Charge to Ensure Every Vote Counts in Tight Duarte-Gray Race

DON'T MISS

Dolly Parton’s Wish? For Fresno County Children to Read

DON'T MISS

Man Found Dead in Fresno’s Roeding Park Identified as Bay Area Resident

DON'T MISS

Fresno Authorities Search for Domestic Violence Suspect Considered Armed and Dangerous

DON'T MISS

NBA Memo to Players Warns About Organized Home Break-Ins

DON'T MISS

Fresno School Employees Say District’s Job Shifts Endanger Kids and Staff

DON'T MISS

Assemblymember Arambula Says He’ll Run for Fresno City Council

DON'T MISS

Business, Environmental Interests Oppose South Fresno Industrial Plan. What’s Next?

UP NEXT

UN Expert: Myanmar’s Desperate Military Ramps Up Attacks Including Beheadings, Rapes and Torture

UP NEXT

Christine Pelosi Leads Charge to Ensure Every Vote Counts in Tight Duarte-Gray Race

UP NEXT

Dolly Parton’s Wish? For Fresno County Children to Read

UP NEXT

Man Found Dead in Fresno’s Roeding Park Identified as Bay Area Resident

UP NEXT

Fresno Authorities Search for Domestic Violence Suspect Considered Armed and Dangerous

UP NEXT

NBA Memo to Players Warns About Organized Home Break-Ins

UP NEXT

Fresno School Employees Say District’s Job Shifts Endanger Kids and Staff

UP NEXT

Assemblymember Arambula Says He’ll Run for Fresno City Council

UP NEXT

Business, Environmental Interests Oppose South Fresno Industrial Plan. What’s Next?

UP NEXT

Take a Bow, Bulldog Football Fans. Some Power 4 Schools Would Love to Have You.

Dolly Parton’s Wish? For Fresno County Children to Read

47 minutes ago

Man Found Dead in Fresno’s Roeding Park Identified as Bay Area Resident

2 hours ago

Fresno Authorities Search for Domestic Violence Suspect Considered Armed and Dangerous

3 hours ago

NBA Memo to Players Warns About Organized Home Break-Ins

3 hours ago

Fresno School Employees Say District’s Job Shifts Endanger Kids and Staff

3 hours ago

Assemblymember Arambula Says He’ll Run for Fresno City Council

3 hours ago

Business, Environmental Interests Oppose South Fresno Industrial Plan. What’s Next?

4 hours ago

Take a Bow, Bulldog Football Fans. Some Power 4 Schools Would Love to Have You.

5 hours ago

Community Hospital CEO Craig Castro Will Retire in Early 2025

6 hours ago

Conor McGregor Must Pay Woman $250K in Sexual Assault Case, Civil Jury Rules

6 hours ago

Listeria Outbreak Tied to Yu Shang Food Leaves California Infant Dead and 10 People Sick

A California infant has died and at least 10 other people have been sickened in an outbreak of listeria food poisoning tied to ready-to-eat ...

3 minutes ago

3 minutes ago

Listeria Outbreak Tied to Yu Shang Food Leaves California Infant Dead and 10 People Sick

18 minutes ago

UN Expert: Myanmar’s Desperate Military Ramps Up Attacks Including Beheadings, Rapes and Torture

23 minutes ago

Christine Pelosi Leads Charge to Ensure Every Vote Counts in Tight Duarte-Gray Race

47 minutes ago

Dolly Parton’s Wish? For Fresno County Children to Read

Solomone Toki, 44, of the Bay Area, was found dead in Fresno’s Roeding Park died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, police said. (Fresno PD)
2 hours ago

Man Found Dead in Fresno’s Roeding Park Identified as Bay Area Resident

Fresno County authorities are searching for Ray Weston McCall Jr., 43, wanted on domestic violence charges, and caution the public not to approach him. (Fresno County SO)
3 hours ago

Fresno Authorities Search for Domestic Violence Suspect Considered Armed and Dangerous

3 hours ago

NBA Memo to Players Warns About Organized Home Break-Ins

3 hours ago

Fresno School Employees Say District’s Job Shifts Endanger Kids and Staff

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend