Ballot Measure Would Rollback Proposition 47

Sacramento, CA — California voters will be asked whether to repeal many aspects of the 2014 voter-approved Proposition 47, which has been blamed by many GOP lawmakers and law enforcement officials for increased crime in the state.

Assembly GOP leader Brian Jones stated at a press conference this week, “I want to emphasize that this is a bipartisan initiative (November ballot measure) that has been signed by Republicans and Democrats. It is endorsed by Democratic Mayor London Breed of San Francisco and Democrat Mayor Todd Gloria of San Diego. But, unfortunately, it has incurred the ire of the Governor and the Attorney General.”

Proposition 47, passed partly in response to overcrowding prisons, reduced many non-violent crimes like drug possession and property crimes under $950 to misdemeanors instead of felonies.

The ballot measure would also increase penalties for possession of certain drugs, like fentanyl.

The measure is called the Homelessness Drug and Theft Reduction Act. The Secretary of State’s Office reports that it has qualified for the ballot.