Battles rages over Prop. 47, crime bill package

Democrat and Republican leaders rip each other as heated debate intensifies over amendments, inoperability clauses to crime bill package; Republicans allege ballot measure being undermined

A fierce battle broke out last week over a crime bill package and reforming Prop. 47 between Democrat and Republican leaders at the state capitol. File photo

STATE — A vicious bipartisan battle is brewing in the state legislature over reforms regarding Proposition 47, the controversial measure passed in 2016 reducing criminal sentences and reclassifying certain crimes as misdemeanors.

The battle is in contrast to a bipartisan effort to support a proposed ballot measure known as the Homeless, Drug Addiction and Theft Reduction Act, which would reform Prop. 47. Several months ago, a bipartisan coalition of elected officials, district attorneys and others launched a signature drive with one press conference in March in San Marcos featuring San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan and San Marcos Mayor Rebecca Jones and others.

But the battle in the legislature has ramped up in recent weeks as Democrats and Republicans have put forward a multiple-bill package, known as the Safer California Bill Package. It addresses retail crimes, theft and drug crimes, especially fentanyl.

The ballot measure, which qualified for the election on Tuesday, would reclassify theft of more than $450 to a felony after Prop. 47 made it a misdemeanor. The new measure would also reclassify certain crimes to pre-Prop. 47 levels such as some drugs classified as hard drugs (fentanyl) and firearm offenses, reinstitute habitual offender punishments, address great bodily injury cases and creates new drug treatment options, according to the measure.

However, Republicans are furious as they allege the bills contain “poison pills,” inoperability clauses and are urgency legislation in an attempt to undermine the ballot initiative. Additionally, Gov. Gavin Newsom and other Democratic leaders have been trying to negotiate to remove the measure off the ballot.

On Monday, meanwhile, the Democratic leadership held a press conference railing against the Republican effort calling for a vote on the bills as they are. On Tuesday, Republicans held their own press conference ripping Gov. Gavin Newsom, Attorney General Rob Bonta and the leadership for attempting to mislead the public ahead of the vote.

“I don’t think there’s a need to have it on the ballot,” Newsom told KCRA in Sacramento. “Why have something on the ballot that doesn’t actually achieve the goals that are intended? Why do something that can’t be done legislatively with more flexibility? I think it’s a better approach to governing.”