Proposition 36 wastes billions of taxpayer dollars and makes California less safe
Prop 36
Prop 36 is masquerading as reform. In reality, Prop. 36 is an extreme measure that will waste billions of taxpayer dollars, divert funding from mental health and rehabilitation programs, and do nothing to make us safer.
Prop 36
While we must continue to make changes to our criminal justice system, and address fentanyl and retail crime, Prop 36 is the wrong answer. It will slash desperately needed mental health services, and spend billions more on prisons.
Prop 36
Don’t be fooled. Prop 36 is a MAGA-Republican-led bait and switch, plain and simple. Crime victims and law enforcement leaders oppose Prop 36 because it slashes money meant for crime victims, and for mental health and rehabilitation programs that help ensure people getting out of jail or prison are less likely to reoffend. Prop 36 is a Republican-led effort to bring back to 1980s style drug war tactics that destroy families and communities and pack our state prisons without any benefit to public safety.
Prop 36
Prop 36 means that stealing a candy bar could be counted as a prior offense that could lead to felony charges. It is a gross overreaction that will create damage to families and communities.
Prop 36
Prop 36 would change how taxpayer dollars are spent, stripping millions of dollars away from victims of violent crime and from mental health programs, and use that money to build and expand state prisons.
PROP 36
The measure is also so poorly drafted that it will simply create confusion in the courts, and not lead to higher penalties in many retail theft cases.
Prop 36
In the last two years, state leaders increased funding for retail theft prosecutions and fentanyl trafficking, leading to more convictions. Lawmakers continue to pass strong new laws targeting retail theft rings, illegal online markets, and fentanyl.
Prop 36
New laws, backed by many Prop. 36 funders, include the ability to aggregate multiple thefts, make it easier to arrest shoplifters, and increase penalties for property damage, vehicle break-ins and online resale of stolen goods. Allows for multi-jurisdictional prosecutions.
No on Prop 36 Fact Sheet (PDF)