2 weeks Ago
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Despite being one of the biggest opponents of the ballot measure that will increase the penalties for some drug and theft crimes in California, Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday confirmed his administration won't do anything to stop it from going into effect if voters approve it in the upcoming election.
"We'll do whatever the direction of the voters," the governor said, acknowledging the recent polls showing voters are poised to overwhelmingly pass the measure, known as Proposition 36. The measure turns some misdemeanor hard drug and theft-related crimes into felonies in an attempt to target repeat fentanyl dealers and thieves. The governor has spent most of the year trying to either chip away at support for the measure or negotiate it off of the ballot .
He and Democratic legislative leaders introduced and passed a set of theft-related bills they attempted to use as leverage against the ballot measure . This past summer, his chief of staff attempted to get the backers of Proposition 36 to wait until 2026 to put it on the ballot. Then, as time was running out for the legislature to place proposals on the ballot in June, the governor put together a last-minute crime measure to compete with Prop 36.
A day after introducing it, the governor canceled the effort . Newsom has not been formally campaigning or using campaign funds to fight Proposition 36. Recent polling by the Public Policy Institute of California and Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies show voters will approve it by a landslide.
"I just hope folks take the time to read it and recognize what it is, it's drug policy reform and good people can disagree on that but it's clear, the direction," the governor told reporters on Monday. "It's unfunded and unfortunately it may impact some existing drug treatment and services and the redirection of existing grant funds under a previous initiative. Beyond that, we absolutely will implement the will of the voters.
" The governor made the comments during a press conference about the state's efforts to crack down on crime. The governor has been clear and consistent in his stance on Proposition 36. Ahead of the election, other California politicians have been hesitant to make their decision on Prop 36 public.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta, who sponsored the theft bills, has said he will not weigh in on the measure. Democratic Presidential nominee and former California Attorney General Kamala Harris has repeatedly said she has not yet read the measure or decided how she will vote. For more information about the November election, including key issues and races on the ballot, check out the KCRA 3 Voter Guide .
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