California Democrats Accused of 'Dirty Tricks' in Fight over Crime Reform Measures

Florida's chief financial officer, Jimmy Patronis, has criticized California's economic outlook under Governor Gavin Newsom and accused Democrats of playing "dirty tricks" to thwart efforts to reform Proposition 47, a controversial criminal justice measure.

California's economic outlook has come under fire from Florida's chief financial officer, Jimmy Patronis, who has compared it unfavorably to Florida's economic performance under Governor Ron DeSantis. Patronis has alleged that California Democrats are employing "dirty tricks" to prevent bipartisan efforts to reform Proposition 47, a voter-approved initiative that reduced penalties for drug and theft crimes, which has been blamed for contributing to the state's rampant theft problems.

Californians for Safer Communities, a bipartisan coalition of law enforcement, elected officials, and businesses, has collected over 900,000 signatures to place a measure on the November ballot that would reform Proposition 47 and increase penalties for criminals. However, Governor Newsom and some Democratic lawmakers oppose the effort and are pushing alternative public safety bills that they believe better address organized retail theft, car break-ins, and other crimes.

Some Democrats have proposed introducing inoperability clauses into the proposed public safety bills, which would prevent them from taking effect if voters approve the Proposition 47 reform measure. This, according to Republicans, is a "poison pill" that would create false choices for voters and undermine the need for reform.

"The Democrats are playing dirty tricks to try and stop it," said James Gallagher, the California Assembly Republican Leader. "They think that Prop 47 is good policy. I think the majority of Californians disagree with them and want to change it." Republicans believe the Democratic-backed public safety bills do not adequately address personal theft, fentanyl trafficking, or drug treatment incentives, which are included in the proposed Proposition 47 reform measure.

Recently, Newsom has taken a tougher stance on public safety in response to growing concerns about crime in California communities. However, Democrats' proposed public safety bills, according to Gallagher, do not address personal theft or provide the same incentives for drug treatment as the Proposition 47 reform measure.

California has some of the strictest thresholds in the nation for prosecutors to charge suspects with a felony for theft up to $950. Newsom's office argues that the reform measure would increase those thresholds, making it less likely for theft suspects to be charged with a felony.

Earlier this year, Newsom recalled witnessing a shoplifter stealing from a Target store in Sacramento and confronting the store employee afterward. "I said, 'why didn't you stop him,'" Newsom said. "She goes, 'oh, the governor.' Swear to God, true story on my mom's grave. 'The governor lowered the threshold, there's no accountability.' I said that's just not true."

Republicans have criticized the Democratic alternative public safety bills as being insufficient to address the state's crime problem. "To combat the California crime wave, we need to strengthen our laws, both in the Legislature and at the ballot box," said Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones. "It's irresponsible to force voters into a false choice between the two. Unfortunately, some Democrat politicians are too prideful to admit their mistake with Prop 47 and they continue to deny the desperate need for reform."