California Democrats are trying to preserve Proposition 47, a 2014 ballot measure that eased penalties for theft but is today denounced by many critics as a crime wave targeting retail stores in the state’s major cities. has been done.
Proposition 47 was sold to the public as “criminal justice reform,” but it did little to improve the nation’s programs to rehabilitate criminals.Instead, it just changed From several felonies to misdemeanors, such as theft under $950.
Many Californians say this creates a strong incentive for criminals to commit petty theft, especially in retail stores, knowing that prosecutors are unlikely to prosecute and the fines will be minimal. thinking.
Earlier this year, Gov. Gavin Newsom (Democratic) introduced A series of reforms aimed at reducing property crimes, but Proposition 47 was left in place.other members of parliament was suggested He proposed reforming Proposition 47 or simply repealing it.
But as the Associated Press reports, most (but not all) California Democrats are defending Prop. 47 at Newsom’s direction, trying to focus their legislative efforts on other policy changes.
Following Mr. Newsom’s direction, Democratic leaders in both chambers of Congress also silenced calls to repeal the bill. [Proposition 47]. Last month, the state’s new Senate President Pro Tempore Mike McGuire introduced a series of bills with bipartisan support that would target auto theft and large-scale resale schemes and expand diversion programs such as drug courts and treatment services. did. Under the proposal, online marketplaces would also be required to crack down on users who resell stolen goods on their platforms.
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But some Democrats said those efforts alone aren’t enough to bring about change. Rep. James Ramos, who authored the bipartisan bill to stiffen penalties for repeat shoplifters, said many lawmakers want to see “the pendulum swing back to the middle.” The measure would require voter approval.
“Prop. 47 needs some kind of reset,” Ramos said. “We have an opportunity now to start that conversation.”
Earlier this year, Newsom expressed shock when a Target store employee accused him of a shoplifting problem.
Joel B. Pollack is a senior editor at Breitbart News. Breitbart News Sunday Sunday nights from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM ET (4:00 PM to 7:00 PM PT) on Sirius XM Patriot. He is the author of a new biography, Rhoda: “Comrade Cadderly, you are abnormal.”. He is also the author of a recently published e-book. Neither Free nor Fair: The 2020 US Presidential Election. He is the recipient of the 2018 Robert Novak Journalism Alumni Fellowship. Follow him on Twitter @joelpolak.
