Newsom’s Statement
Newsom cited the inability to meet the ballot deadline as the primary reason for withdrawing the measure.
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“We are unable to meet the ballot deadline to secure necessary amendments to ensure this measure’s success,” he said in a statement on Tuesday. This announcement was made just before Newsom left for Washington, D.C.
The Legislative Push
For months, lawmakers like Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas and Senate President Pro Tem Mike McGuire have been working on a 14-bill package to address retail theft.
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This package was designed as an alternative to the district attorneys’ initiative, which aims to amend Proposition 47.
Proposition 47 Background
Proposition 47, passed in 2014, reclassified certain lower-level crimes as misdemeanors and set a $950 threshold for shoplifting felonies.
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Critics argue that this has led to an increase in retail theft and drug crimes, prompting the district attorneys to push for changes.
The District Attorneys’ Initiative
The district attorneys’ initiative gained significant support and was approved for the November ballot after proponents gathered over 900,000 signatures.
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This measure aims to impose stricter penalties on retail theft, address the fentanyl crisis, and tackle homelessness.
Internal Divisions Among Democrats
The legislative push faced internal divisions among Democrats, with some lawmakers receiving pressure from district attorneys and law enforcement groups.
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These divisions complicated efforts to unify support for the proposed legislative package.
Newsom’s Focus on Legislation
Despite withdrawing the ballot measure, Newsom emphasized his commitment to addressing retail theft through legislation.
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He plans to sign the proposed measures and explore further legislative efforts to tackle these issues.
Greg Totten’s Response
Greg Totten, CEO of the District Attorneys Association, welcomed the withdrawal of the countermeasure.
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“We are pleased the governor and Legislature have dropped their countermeasure and welcome them to join our campaign to responsibly amend Prop. 47,” Totten said.
Newsom’s Trip to Washington
Newsom announced his decision just before traveling to Washington, D.C., to meet with President Joe Biden and other Democratic governors.
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This trip follows Biden’s recent debate performance, which has sparked questions about his mental acuity and leadership within his party.
Political Context
As an official Biden campaign surrogate, Newsom has vehemently backed the President, attempting to redirect attention toward former Republican nominee Donald Trump.
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Newsom’s support remains strong despite a new CNN poll showing three-quarters of voters want someone other than Biden on the Democratic ticket.
Challenges in California
Newsom’s departure for Washington comes amidst a severe heat wave and multiple wildfires in Northern California.
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These challenges have prompted evacuation orders for more than 13,000 people near Oroville, adding to the complexities faced by the governor.
Future Outlook
While Newsom’s decision to withdraw the ballot measure has surprised many, his focus remains on legislative solutions to address retail theft and related crimes.
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The upcoming legislative sessions will be crucial in determining the success of these efforts and their impact on Proposition 47.
