California Republicans slam Democrats’ alternative retail theft ballot measure: ‘A sham’

California Republicans took aim at a last-minute effort by Democratic lawmakers in the state to add their own ballot measure combating retail theft , which GOP lawmakers said is intended to confuse voters.

Late Sunday, Democratic leaders in the state legislature unveiled their own ballot measure that they hope to get approved by the Wednesday deadline to appear before voters in November. The measure would be similar to a ballot measure that will appear on the November ballot that would increase shoplifting to a felony for repeat offenders and increase criminal penalties for fentanyl dealers.

Where the Democrats' proposal differs from the Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act is the latter would repeal parts of 2014's Proposition 47, which reduced penalties for several crimes in the state, would make possession of fentanyl a felony, and would have a stricter three-strike policy for repeat offenders, among other differences.

The Democrats' proposal would have to pass by Wednesday and be signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) to appear on the November ballot. Democrats have supermajorities in both chambers.

Republicans slammed the effort as working to undermine the democratic process, noting the support the Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act has from prosecutors and some Democratic politicians.

In an unbelievable move, Gavin Newsom and Democrat leadership have proposed a weaker crime initiative to compete with the one already on the November ballot. This is a blatant attempt to undermine the will of the people.

I’m appalled by our governor, who often neglects his…

"I'm appalled by our governor, who often neglects his duties in California to travel the country, lecturing other states about democracy while undermining it in his own," Republican California Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones said in a post on X.

"Now, with only 72 hours notice, Democrat leadership is pushing a weaker initiative to confuse and manipulate voters at the ballot box. While Democrat leadership fears the power of the people, I remain hopeful that my reasonable Democrat friends will recognize this cynical tactic and stand firm against these political games," Jones said on Sunday.

"Republicans have a clear message: stop playing politics with public safety! #FixCalifornia," he added.

Republican Assemblyman Joe Patterson decried the Democrats' proposal as a "sham" and questioned whether Democrats want citizens to be safe.

Democrats just intro’d their attempt to deceive voters. SB 1381 is @CAgovernor @GavinNewsom ’s hellbent attempt to kill true Prop 47 reforms and intentionally confuse voters. a sham. It happened late on a Sunday, hoping you’re sleeping. Do #caleg Dems want you to be safe or not?

"Democrats just [introduced] their attempt to deceive voters. SB 1381 is [Newsom's] hellbent attempt to kill true Prop 47 reforms and intentionally confuse voters. a sham. It happened late on a Sunday, hoping you're sleeping. Do [California legislative] Dems want you to be safe or not?" Patterson said in a post on X.

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Democrats had struggled with how to deal with the ballot measure, which would repeal parts of Proposition 47, while also acting on retail theft. One of their proposals included adding "poison pills" to anti-theft measures that would cause new laws designed to combat crime to be repealed upon the passage of the ballot measure. After pushback, Democrats removed the poison pill amendments last month.

Voters in California will decide the fate of the Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act and possibly the Democrats' proposal on Nov. 5.