California is poised for a major shift in criminal justice policy as voters consider a ballot measure aimed at partially repealing Proposition 47, a progressive law championed by George Gascon and Kamala Harris. This move, known as Prop. 36, or the Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act, could significantly alter the state’s approach to theft and other crimes.
Proposition 47, passed in 2014, reclassified certain felonies, including theft under $950, as misdemeanors. The law, backed by progressive District Attorneys like Gascon, was intended to reduce mass incarceration and address racial disparities in the criminal justice system. However, in recent years, there has been growing frustration with the law’s unintended consequences, particularly its perceived link to an increase in organized retail crime and smash-and-grab robberies.
Retailers, law enforcement agencies, and even some Democrats are now calling for change. They argue that Prop. 47’s lenient punishments have created a ‘revolving door’ for criminals, emboldening thieves and leaving businesses vulnerable. A recent poll by the Public Policy Institute of California, a nonpartisan think tank, found that 71% of Californians support Prop. 36, signaling a potential backlash against the progressive policies of the past decade.
Prop. 36 is facing staunch opposition from California Governor Gavin Newsom, who argues that the measure will lead to mass incarceration and undermine efforts to address systemic issues in the criminal justice system. However, the initiative has garnered support from a diverse coalition, including the California District Attorneys Association, the Los Angeles Police Protective League, and the California State Sheriffs’ Association. Even some Republican lawmakers are confident that the measure will pass, citing the growing frustration among voters and businesses who feel victimized by the current system.
The push to repeal Prop. 47 goes beyond policy. It’s also a symbolic rejection of the progressive policies championed by figures like Kamala Harris and George Gascon. Former Los Angeles County District Attorney Steve Cooley sees it as a rejection of the ‘Soros-type prosecutors’ who have influenced criminal justice reforms in recent years. The measure is seen as a chance to restore a sense of order and accountability in a state grappling with rising crime rates and a perception of a lenient justice system.
With the November election looming, the fate of Prop. 36 hangs in the balance. The outcome will likely be a significant indicator of the public’s appetite for a more punitive approach to crime, and it could send a powerful message to those who have advocated for more progressive criminal justice reforms.