Prop 36: California approves harsher penalties for fentanyl, theft crimes

AND THAT WAS IN THE YEAR 2004. WELL, CALIFORNIA VOTERS HAD TEN PROPOSITIONS TO CONSIDER THIS YEAR. TWO CRIMINAL JUSTICE RELATED MEASURES ON THE BALLOT. THOSE WERE PROP 36 AND PROP SIX. AND KCRA 3 CAPITAL CORRESPONDENT ASHLEY ZAVALA JOINS US WITH WHERE THOSE STAND AND HOW SUPPORTERS ARE REACTING. ASHLEY. LISA, LET’S START WITH PROPOSITION 36, WHICH ASKED VOTERS TO RAMP UP THE CONSEQUENCES FOR FENTANYL AND THEFT RELATED CRIMES. IT TURNS SOME MISDEMEANORS INTO FELONIES, SO THIS HAS PASSED OVERWHELMINGLY THE VOTE TALLY. SO FAR, SHOWING 70% OF VOTERS APPROVED IT VERSUS THE 29% WHO WOULD NOT, DESPITE THE BROAD SUPPORT FROM VOTERS IN BOTH PARTIES, GOVERNOR NEWSOM AND DEMOCRATIC LEGISLATIVE LEADERS WERE MAJOR OPPONENTS OF THIS PROP 36 SUPPORTER AND YOLO COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY JEFF ISAAC SAYS HE HOPES THIS RESULT SENDS STATE LEADERS A MESSAGE. I HOPE IT SENDS TWO MESSAGES TO THEM. FIRST, I HOPE IT CLEARLY SENDS THE MESSAGE THAT THE VOTERS OF CALIFORNIA ARE READY FOR SOMETHING MORE IN THE MIDDLE. YOU KNOW, WE’VE I’VE BEEN A DA 18 YEARS. I’VE SEEN A LOT OF THE DIFFERENT EXPERIMENTATION. AND I THINK AT THE END OF THE DAY, WHAT THE VOTERS ARE SAYING IS THEY WANT MORE COMMON SENSE, THEY WANT MORE STUFF DOWN THE MIDDLE. WE DON’T HAVE TO GET TOO EXTREME ON EITHER SIDE. BUT PROP 36 REALLY OFFERED SOMETHING THAT, AGAIN, A SUPERMAJORITY RATIFIED IS THIS IS WHAT WE WANT. AND SO I HOPE THE LEGISLATURE WILL LEARN THAT OR TAKE THAT AS A LESSON. AND THE SECOND LESSON IS I HOPE THEY WILL THEY KNOW THAT WE’RE READY TO WORK TOGETHER TO WORK

California voters are projected by the Associated Press to approve a measure that would broadly increase penalties for fentanyl dealers and theft crimes. Proposition 36 will reclassify some crimes that are currently misdemeanors as felonies. The measure aims to undo parts of Proposition 47, which voters approved a decade ago, loosening penalties around the crimes.Opponents have argued that this measure would start a “War on Drugs 2.0,” and state leaders including Gov. Gavin Newsom have strongly urged voters against voting in favor of Prop 36.Newsom and other Democratic legislative leaders passed their own set of theft-related bills to try to discourage the need to pass Prop 36.The Yes on Proposition 36 campaign celebrated the passage, stating the measure ensures accountability."The passage of Proposition 36 reflects Californians’ strong desire for safer communities and meaningful solutions to our state’s rising crime, drug addiction, and homelessness crises. Proposition 36 offers a balanced approach, combining strict penalties for repeat offenders who threaten public safety with compassionate, mandated treatment for individuals struggling with addiction," the campaign shared in a statement.But members of the No on 36 committee fear the proposition's passage could lead to exzcessive incarceration."The backers of Proposition 36 sold the measure as all things to all people. They won support by promising voters an “era of mass treatment” to help people addicted to drugs or alcohol, who are living on our streets. We know that Californians want people who are suffering to have access to care. Proposition 36 is a giant unfunded mandate for locals to provide thousands of treatment beds and facilities in every county across this state — a mandate that will cost counties billions of dollars. Our fear all along is that these resources are not available, and that thousands of Californians who need help will instead be sent to jail or prison," the No on 36 campaign said in a statement.Check live results below as they come in. IMPORTANT FOR MOBILE USERS: Can't see the interactive maps? Click here for the best viewing experience.Track your ballot online here.CLICK HERE TO GO BACK TO FULL RESULTS PAGE

California voters are projected by the Associated Press to approve a measure that would broadly increase penalties for fentanyl dealers and theft crimes.

Proposition 36 will reclassify some crimes that are currently misdemeanors as felonies. The measure aims to undo parts of Proposition 47, which voters approved a decade ago, loosening penalties around the crimes.

Opponents have argued that this measure would start a “War on Drugs 2.0,” and state leaders including Gov. Gavin Newsom have strongly urged voters against voting in favor of Prop 36.

Newsom and other Democratic legislative leaders passed their own set of theft-related bills to try to discourage the need to pass Prop 36.

The Yes on Proposition 36 campaign celebrated the passage, stating the measure ensures accountability.

"The passage of Proposition 36 reflects Californians’ strong desire for safer communities and meaningful solutions to our state’s rising crime, drug addiction, and homelessness crises. Proposition 36 offers a balanced approach, combining strict penalties for repeat offenders who threaten public safety with compassionate, mandated treatment for individuals struggling with addiction," the campaign shared in a statement.

But members of the No on 36 committee fear the proposition's passage could lead to exzcessive incarceration.

"The backers of Proposition 36 sold the measure as all things to all people. They won support by promising voters an “era of mass treatment” to help people addicted to drugs or alcohol, who are living on our streets. We know that Californians want people who are suffering to have access to care. Proposition 36 is a giant unfunded mandate for locals to provide thousands of treatment beds and facilities in every county across this state — a mandate that will cost counties billions of dollars. Our fear all along is that these resources are not available, and that thousands of Californians who need help will instead be sent to jail or prison," the No on 36 campaign said in a statement.

Check live results below as they come in. IMPORTANT FOR MOBILE USERS: Can't see the interactive maps? Click here for the best viewing experience.

Track your ballot online here.

CLICK HERE TO GO BACK TO FULL RESULTS PAGE

Prop 36: California approves harsher penalties for fentanyl, theft crimes

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