What cities need to know about November’s public safety ballot measure — and how to support it
By Kristine Guerrero, director of public affairs
Voters around the state will have a chance to weigh in on 10 statewide ballot measures this November, including the Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act. Also known as Proposition 36, the initiative would create a deterrent for repeat retail theft offenders and redirect some people towards treatment rather than incarceration.
One of Cal Cities’ top advocacy priorities this year is to advance solutions that help reduce crime and provide more support to people struggling with substance use while avoiding a return to the days of mass incarceration. To that end, Cal Cities actively engaged in both legislative and ballot box efforts to make tailored reforms to Proposition 47 (2014).
This summer, the Cal Cities Board voted to support three November ballot measures, including Prop. 36. A recent poll from the Los Angeles Times and the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies found that 56% of Californians would support Prop. 36.
Cal Cities has developed a sample city resolution in support of Prop. 36, as well as a side-by-side comparison of the measure and the retail theft package signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom last month.
For more details, contact your regional public affairs manager.