California Democrat lawmaker, Rudy Salas, turned on his own party when he proposed reversing the state’s Proposition 47 due to an increase in crime. Background: In 2014, California voted to make changes to the state’s Proposition 47. The rule reduced shoplifting charges for the amount of $950 and less, turning the charge from a felony to a misdemeanor. For months, the Golden State has seen a massive spike in shoplifting and smash-and-grab robberies. The spike has been drastic enough to drive many businesses to close their brick-and-mortar stores. What Happened: Salas introduced a bill that would revert Prop 47 to its original form. If passed, crimes over $400 would be charged as a felony. What Comes Next: The bill will need to pass the Legislature and receive a majority vote from California voters on a ballot measure before becoming law. Governor Newsom previously supported Prop 47 when he was lieutenant gov. and again last month. What Republicans Say: Many California Republicans support reversing Prop 47. “It was maybe an experiment. It failed. It’s time to change things,” Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims “We have seen the unintended consequences of Prop 47’s weakening of our theft laws and I believe California voters are ready to make their voices heard on this issue again,” Salas said. What Democrats Say: Democrats say that existing rules should be enough to punish criminals and contain the issue of increased crime affecting the state.
California Democrat lawmaker, Rudy Salas, turned on his own party when he proposed reversing the state’s Proposition 47 due to an increase in crime. Background: In 2014, California voted to make changes to the state’s Proposition 47. The rule reduced shoplifting charges for the amount of $950 and less, turning the charge from a felony to a misdemeanor. For months, the Golden State has seen a massive spike in shoplifting and smash-and-grab robberies. The spike has been drastic enough to drive many businesses to close their brick-and-mortar stores. What Happened: Salas introduced a bill that would revert Prop 47 to its original form. If passed, crimes over $400 would be charged as a felony. What Comes Next: The bill will need to pass the Legislature and receive a majority vote from California voters on a ballot measure before becoming law. Governor Newsom previously supported Prop 47 when he was lieutenant gov. and again last month. What Republicans Say: Many California Republicans support reversing Prop 47. “It was maybe an experiment. It failed. It’s time to change things,” Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims “We have seen the unintended consequences of Prop 47’s weakening of our theft laws and I believe California voters are ready to make their voices heard on this issue again,” Salas said. What Democrats Say: Democrats say that existing rules should be enough to punish criminals and contain the issue of increased crime affecting the state.
