Gov. Newsom, Democratic leaders are trying to negotiate Prop 47 reform off the November ballot

LATEST FROM SAN FRANCISCO. WELL, WE CAME TO SAN FRANCISCO JUST TO ASK THE GOVERNOR ABOUT THIS. HE WAS AT MANNY’S. WHILE SOME DEMOCRATIC STATE LAWMAKERS ARE WORKING BEHIND THE SCENES ON AN EFFORT TO TRY TO DISSUADE THE PROPOSITION 47 BALLOT INITIATIVE CAMPAIGN FROM MOVING FORWARD WITH ITS EFFORTS TO REFORM IT, NOW, STATE LAWMAKERS WE KNOW ARE TRYING TO ADD INOPERABILITY CLAUSES TO SOME BILLS THAT ALREADY ARE TRYING TO CRACK DOWN ON RETAIL THEFT AND OTHER CRIMES, BUT THOSE CLAUSES MEAN THAT IF VOTERS APPROVE THE INITIATIVE TO REFORM PROPOSITION 47, THOSE PROPOSED LAWS WOULD NOT GO INTO EFFECT. DEMOCRATS SAY THIS IS TO AVOID INCONSISTENT IN THE LAW, WHILE REPUBLICANS SAY IT’S THE POISON PILL. ARE YOU IN THE LEGISLATURE? YOU’RE TRYING TO NEGOTIATE THE POTENTIAL REPEAL OF PROP 47 OFF THE BALLOT. SO THERE’S A LOT OF MOVING PARTS, A LOT OF NEGOTIATION IS CONCURRENTLY HAPPENING PARALLEL. SO AMONG MANY OF THEM, UM, PROP 47 IS INCLUDED. ARE YOU ALL JUST NOT CONFIDENT THAT IF IT HITS THE BALLOT THAT VOTERS WILL APPROVE IT? IT’S JUST I DON’T THINK THERE’S A NEED TO HAVE IT ON THE BALLOT. WELL, I HAVE SOMETHING ON THE BALLOT THAT DOESN’T ACTUALLY ACHIEVE THE GOALS THAT ARE INTENDED. WHY DO SOMETHING THAT CAN’T BE DONE LEGISLATIVELY WITH MORE FLEXIBILITY? I THINK IT’S A BETTER APPROACH TO GOVERNING. SO YOU’LL SIGN THE LEGISLATION THAT MIGHT CARRY THOSE INOPERABLE CLAUSES. I WILL NOT TELL YOU WHAT I’M GOING TO SIGN UNTIL IT LANDS ON MY DESK, BECAUSE IT’S A PROCESS THAT’S CONSTANTLY EVOLVING. BUT AS YOU KNOW WELL, BETTER THAN MOST, WE INITIATED AND LAUNCHED A PACKAGE OF BILLS WORKEY, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH BOTH HOUSES OF THE LEGISLATURE THAT HAVE BEEN FANTASTIC IN TERMS OF ADDRESSING THE LEGITIMATE CONCERNS THAT WE’VE BEEN HIGHLIGHTING FOR YEARS NOW AROUND RETAIL THEFT, BUT ALSO BROADLY ORGANIZED RETAIL THEFT. THIS WHOLE SCHEME, ALL THE THINGS THAT ARE BEING DONE RIGHT NOW, THE LEGISLATURE IS THAT SO THAT ROB BONTA CAN CHANGE THAT BALLOT. IN SUMMARY, TITLE AND SAY THIS WOULD ACTUALLY IMPEDE ATTEMPTS TO CURTAIL RETAIL THEFT. THAT’S WHAT THIS IS REALLY ABOUT. REPUBLICAN ASSEMBLYMAN JAMES GALLAGHER SAYS WHAT DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKERS AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ARE TRYING TO DO IS DECEPTION. THE GOVERNOR IS ONCE AGAIN TRYING TO DEPRIVE VOTERS OF THE ABILITY TO VOTE ON THIS. HE’S TRYING TO STRONG ARM THE COALITION THAT’S PUSHING THIS INITIATIVE. ACCORDING TO THE LATEST DATA FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE’S OFFICE, THAT BALLOT INITIATIVE LOOKS LIKE IT LIKELY WILL QUALIFY FOR THE NOVEMBER BALLOT. THE BALLOT HAS TO BE CERTIFIED BY JUNE 27TH, MEANING LAWMAKERS, THE GOVERNOR AND THE CAMPAIGN ONLY HAVE WEEKS TO NEGOTIATE. REPORTING IN SAN FRANCISCO, ASHLEY ZAVALA KCRA THREE NEWS. GREAT REPORTING ASHLEY. IN A STATEMENT, THE CAMPAIGN TO REFORM PROPOSITION 47 SAID THIS, QUOTE, THESE POISON PILL AMENDMENTS ARE POLITICAL GAMESMANSHIP AT ITS WORST. THE PRIORITY OF OUR COALITION, WHICH INCLUDES MORE THAN 2000 SMALL BUSINESSES, IS SOCIAL JUSTICE ORGANIZATIONS, DRUG TREATMENT ADVOCATES AND LAW ENFORCEMENT IS TO SUPPORT SOLUTIONS THAT WILL HOLD REPEAT

California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday confirmed he and Democratic leaders in the state Legislature are trying to negotiate a measure to reform Proposition 47 off the November ballot. Prop 47, an initiative voters passed a decade ago, has become notorious for loosening the penalties around drug and theft crimes in California and has been blamed by various law enforcement, business, and other groups for the state's theft problems. "There’s a lot of moving parts, a lot of negotiations concurrently happening," the governor said while speaking to reporters in San Francisco. "Prop 47 is included." (See his full exchange in the video below.)Newsom and some Democratic state lawmakers have said they do not support the bipartisan effort to change Prop 47. In response to voter concerns on crime, Newsom and legislative leaders are pushing a set of public-safety-related bills circulating through the Capitol that attempt to crack down on organized retail theft, car break-ins, and other crimes. The latest data from the Secretary of State's office shows the Prop 47 reform initiative is likely heading to the ballot. The proponents of the measure, backed by both Republicans and Democrats, turned in 910,000 signatures which are still in the process of being verified. | RELATED | What to know about the petition to amend Prop 47, which classified certain CA crimes as misdemeanorsMultiple sources have told KCRA 3 that some Democratic lawmakers as soon as next week plan to add inoperability clauses into the public safety legislation that will prevent them from going into effect if voters approve the reforms to Proposition 47. Some Democrats claim this is to ensure there aren't any inconsistencies in the law, which the campaign rebuffed Friday. Republicans are calling the tactic a poison pill.Newsom would not say Friday if he would sign the legislation if it ends up including the inoperability clauses. KCRA 3 asked him if he and legislative leaders lack confidence in the possibility that voters would reject the measure if they're presented with the question in November. "I just don’t think there’s a need to have it on the ballot," Newsom replied. "Why have something on the ballot that doesn’t actually achieve the goals that are intended? Why do something that can be done legislatively, with more flexibility? I think it's a better approach.""This whole scheme is to just allow Attorney General Rob Bonta to write on the ballot summary title that this would 'impede attempts to curb retail theft,' that’s what this is really about," said Assembly Republican Minority Leader, James Gallagher said of the inoperability clauses. "What they’re trying to do is deprive voters of their ability to vote on this, he’s trying to strong-arm the coalition that’s pushing this initiative." "These poison pill amendments are political gamesmanship at its worst," said Greg Totten on behalf of the initiative's campaign known as the Californians for Safer Communities. "The priority of our coalition, which includes more than 2,000 small businesses, social justice organizations, drug treatment advocates and law enforcement, is to support solutions that will hold repeat retail theft and drug traffickers accountable. To be clear, our initiative and the legislative package – absent the poison pills – do not conflict. There is absolutely no policy rationale for including them, except to put pressure on supporters and divide those seeking criminal justice reforms," Totten said. While the campaign has expressed appreciation for the legislative efforts to address the state's public safety issues, the group has said the changes it wants will require voter approval. The ballot initiative specifically changes Prop 47 to enhance penalties for repeat thieves, requiring those who steal for a third time to spend up to three years in prison. It also would classify the possession of fentanyl as a felony. Democratic State Senate Pro Tempore Mike McGuire has said the initiative is unnecessary, and that the legislative public safety package makes more sense. “If you want a set of laws that will blunt retail theft, this plan is exactly what’s needed in this state. That’s why these bills are supported by law enforcement, firefighters, retailers, store owners and trusted local leaders," McGuire said. "These 14 bills that will move next week aren’t about partisan politics, they’re about keeping the people of California safe.”The secretary of state has until June 27 to certify the November ballot, meaning Democratic leaders have just weeks to try to negotiate. When KCRA 3 asked Newsom if he'll join the separate campaign organized to fight the initiative if it ends up on the November ballot, he replied, "I think you have my position well established." See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. —

California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday confirmed he and Democratic leaders in the state Legislature are trying to negotiate a measure to reform Proposition 47 off the November ballot.

Prop 47, an initiative voters passed a decade ago, has become notorious for loosening the penalties around drug and theft crimes in California and has been blamed by various law enforcement, business, and other groups for the state's theft problems.

"There’s a lot of moving parts, a lot of negotiations concurrently happening," the governor said while speaking to reporters in San Francisco. "Prop 47 is included."

(See his full exchange in the video below.)

Newsom and some Democratic state lawmakers have said they do not support the bipartisan effort to change Prop 47. In response to voter concerns on crime, Newsom and legislative leaders are pushing a set of public-safety-related bills circulating through the Capitol that attempt to crack down on organized retail theft, car break-ins, and other crimes.

The latest data from the Secretary of State's office shows the Prop 47 reform initiative is likely heading to the ballot. The proponents of the measure, backed by both Republicans and Democrats, turned in 910,000 signatures which are still in the process of being verified.

Multiple sources have told KCRA 3 that some Democratic lawmakers as soon as next week plan to add inoperability clauses into the public safety legislation that will prevent them from going into effect if voters approve the reforms to Proposition 47. Some Democrats claim this is to ensure there aren't any inconsistencies in the law, which the campaign rebuffed Friday. Republicans are calling the tactic a poison pill.

Newsom would not say Friday if he would sign the legislation if it ends up including the inoperability clauses. KCRA 3 asked him if he and legislative leaders lack confidence in the possibility that voters would reject the measure if they're presented with the question in November.

"I just don’t think there’s a need to have it on the ballot," Newsom replied. "Why have something on the ballot that doesn’t actually achieve the goals that are intended? Why do something that can be done legislatively, with more flexibility? I think it's a better approach."

"This whole scheme is to just allow Attorney General Rob Bonta to write on the ballot summary title that this would 'impede attempts to curb retail theft,' that’s what this is really about," said Assembly Republican Minority Leader, James Gallagher said of the inoperability clauses. "What they’re trying to do is deprive voters of their ability to vote on this, he’s trying to strong-arm the coalition that’s pushing this initiative."

"These poison pill amendments are political gamesmanship at its worst," said Greg Totten on behalf of the initiative's campaign known as the Californians for Safer Communities.

"The priority of our coalition, which includes more than 2,000 small businesses, social justice organizations, drug treatment advocates and law enforcement, is to support solutions that will hold repeat retail theft and drug traffickers accountable. To be clear, our initiative and the legislative package – absent the poison pills – do not conflict. There is absolutely no policy rationale for including them, except to put pressure on supporters and divide those seeking criminal justice reforms," Totten said.

While the campaign has expressed appreciation for the legislative efforts to address the state's public safety issues, the group has said the changes it wants will require voter approval.

The ballot initiative specifically changes Prop 47 to enhance penalties for repeat thieves, requiring those who steal for a third time to spend up to three years in prison. It also would classify the possession of fentanyl as a felony.

Democratic State Senate Pro Tempore Mike McGuire has said the initiative is unnecessary, and that the legislative public safety package makes more sense.

“If you want a set of laws that will blunt retail theft, this plan is exactly what’s needed in this state. That’s why these bills are supported by law enforcement, firefighters, retailers, store owners and trusted local leaders," McGuire said. "These 14 bills that will move next week aren’t about partisan politics, they’re about keeping the people of California safe.”

The secretary of state has until June 27 to certify the November ballot, meaning Democratic leaders have just weeks to try to negotiate.

When KCRA 3 asked Newsom if he'll join the separate campaign organized to fight the initiative if it ends up on the November ballot, he replied, "I think you have my position well established."

See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app.

Gov. Newsom, Democratic leaders are trying to negotiate Prop 47 reform off the November ballot

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