California Democrats expedite anti-theft bill to remove measure from ballot

Earlier this week, California Democrats introduced legislation to curb retail theft in San Francisco, but their tactics have angered some Republicans because Democrats are using the legislation to try and kick another crime bill off the ballot.

On Monday, Democratic state Sen. Scott Wiener unveiled SB 925, which would give police authority to issue citations to people selling commonly stolen items without a permit. San Francisco Mayor London Breed was also at the event in support of the bill.

The bill also has the purpose of putting pressure on those wanting to roll back parts of Proposition 47, a measure dubbed as “soft on crime” because it changed some felonies to misdemeanors and lowered penalties in some cases.

Democrats plan to add an “inoperability clause” amendment to the retail theft bill that would cancel the new laws if voters pass the statewide proposition in November — unless the ballot measure to roll back is withdrawn, according to the Los Angeles Times. If it is not withdrawn, California voters will decide on the Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act, which is the measure to roll back parts of Proposition 47, in November. This move puts pressure on the Californians for Safer Communities Coalition, the group behind the ballot measure, to withdraw it.

Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas’s spokesman, Nick Miller, told Politico the amendments “are meant to ensure, no matter what voters decide, that there are no conflicts and inconsistencies in policies that move forward — and that criminals are held accountable and police have the necessary tools to keep California safe.”

Republicans in the statehouse have accused Democratic leadership of ​​”play[ing] politics with public safety” and “forcing our constituents into a false choice between legislative reforms and necessary modifications to Proposition 47.”

Democrats are trying to fast-track the bill as the June 27 deadline to remove measures from the ballot approaches. Those backing the ballot measure have remained firm against pressure from legislators. They argue Proposition 47 can only be amended by throwing the decision to voters.

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The Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act ballot initiative to roll back Proposition 47 takes a different approach than the proposed legislation. The ballot initiative would revise drug penalties, making possession of fentanyl a felony, and repeat offenders who steal for a third time could serve up to three years in prison.

Legislators are looking to address retail theft and focus on protecting store owners and workers. Under the legislation, third-time offenders would be cited with a misdemeanor.