Gov. Gavin Newsom and some Democratic lawmakers are now considering placing a crime-related measure on the November ballot to compete with an initiative that has already qualified meant to enhance penalties for drug traffickers and repeat thieves. Five sources close to the situation, but who are unauthorized to speak publicly about it, confirmed to KCRA 3 the new initiative is an effort to continue negotiating the measure that would reform parts of Proposition 47 off of the November ballot. | PREVIOUS COVERAGE | Emails show Gov. Newsom's office would be open to Prop 47 changes in 2026A decade ago, Proposition 47 loosened penalties for drug and theft crimes. Law enforcement, business groups and elected leaders on both sides of the aisle have blamed it for the state’s rise in crime and homelessness. Democratic lawmakers in the Assembly were briefed about the plan to place a separate, legislative crime initiative on the ballot in a closed-door meeting Saturday morning, three sources inside told KCRA 3. It’s unclear what exactly the legislative crime initiative would do. Lawmakers were provided few details other than that the Governor’s office and Democratic legislative leaders intend to move quickly. The Secretary of State has until June 27 to finalize which citizen initiatives land on the ballot. Izzy Gardon, a spokesman for Gov. Newsom, said he had nothing to share on Saturday related to the separate, legislative ballot initiative. “At this time, our main focus is working collaboratively with stakeholders and the legislature to deliver a package of bills that responds to the Governor’s proposed public safety legislative framework.” Democrats have been divided over the most recent attempt to negotiate through a set of bills meant to crack down on organized retail theft. This week, state lawmakers added controversial amendments to those bills that would cancel them if voters decide to approve the separate, Proposition 47 reforms. Several Democrats and Republicans have dropped their support for the bills that were once bipartisan backed because of the amendments. Some lawmakers have questioned if the bills have enough votes to pass. “This smells like yet another set of political games. Democrats have had years to get behind fixes to Prop. 47, and they’ve dragged their feet as Californians got victimized,"Republican Assemblyman James Gallagher told KCRA 3. "Newsom and his allies are pulling out every trick in the book to stop this initiative to hold criminals accountable - I would be shocked if they suddenly got on board with the real changes California needs to end the fentanyl crisis and shoplifting epidemic.”The development comes after months of Gov. Newsom, Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas and Senate Pro Tem Mike McGuire repeatedly stating they do not think the drug and theft issue should go to voters. Neither Rivas nor McGuire responded to a request for comment. Two sources within the coalition attempting to reform Proposition 47 confirmed they were aware of the plan. “If circumstances have changed and they’re now prepared to put something on the 2024 ballot, we would like to see it in writing,” said Greg Totten, a co-chair of the campaign backing the Proposition 47 reform initiative. “We are at the 11th hour, so unless something extraordinary happens, we’re moving forward with the qualified initiative.”