Click here for a complete list of our election recommendations.
Proposition 36 on the Nov. 5 ballot would make thefts of $950 or less a felony, punishable by up to three years in county jail or state prison, if the person has two or more past convictions for theft crimes. The measure also permits prosecutors to charge people who possess illegal hard drugs and have two prior drug convictions with a special felony that lets them choose treatment over prison.
Yes: San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan says Prop. 36 would help end suffering on the streets. The measure wouldn’t return California to mass incarceration, but would keep people alive and out of jail. A growing community of locally elected officials are also voting yes.
No: Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg says Prop. 36 would slash treatment funding and increase incarcerations. The measure offers a Catch-22 for addicts — jail if you don’t accept drug treatment. But it would make deep cuts to funding for treatment so that no slots are available.
Editorial: Prop. 36 is a smart response to crime, addiction and homelessness. It’s a much-needed adjustment of Proposition 47, the well-intentioned criminal justice reform measure state voters passed in 2014. While the measure would increase punishments for some theft and drug crimes, it would also create incentives for addicts to seek drug treatment.
Related Posts:
- PRO/CON: Would Prop 36 help California’s theft and drug problems or make them worse? News Click here for a complete list of our election recommendations. Proposition 36 on the Nov. 5 ballot would make thefts of $950 or less a felony, punishable by up to three years in county jail or state prison, if the person has two or more past convictions for theft crimes.…
- Statewide poll shows runaway support for Prop. 36 measure to toughen theft, drug crime penalties News A new statewide poll shows that Proposition 36, a ballot measure aimed at rolling back criminal justice reforms from the past decade and instituting harder penalties for theft and drug crimes, has overwhelming support suggesting it will comfortably pass in November, according to newly released data from the Public Policy…
- Statewide poll shows runaway support for Prop. 36 measure to toughen theft, drug crime penalties News A new statewide poll shows that Proposition 36, a ballot measure aimed at rolling back criminal justice reforms from the past decade and instituting harder penalties for theft and drug crimes, has overwhelming support suggesting it will comfortably pass in November, according to newly released data from the Public Policy…
- Steinberg: Requiring treatment will only worsen California’s drug problems News Proposition 36 taps into the public’s rightful frustration with homelessness, the prevalence of deadly fentanyl and the rise of organized retail crime. But, like some other poorly written initiatives, it presents solutions that are flawed, outdated and expensive. Proposition 36 might actually make these problems worse. Voters deserve real solutions…
- Steinberg: Requiring treatment will only worsen California’s drug problems News Proposition 36 taps into the public’s rightful frustration with homelessness, the prevalence of deadly fentanyl and the rise of organized retail crime. But, like some other poorly written initiatives, it presents solutions that are flawed, outdated and expensive. Proposition 36 might actually make these problems worse. Voters deserve real solutions…
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