Newsom Withdraws His Own Crime Ballot Initiative

SACRAMENTO, California — Gov. Gavin Newsom scrapped his last-minute push with legislative leaders to put a second crime-fighting measure before voters this fall, making a dramatic about-face hours before he heads to Washington to defend President Joe Biden.

The measure would have toughened penalties for repeat shoplifters and drug dealers who lace substances with fentanyl. It was an effort to compete with another tough-on-crime measure, backed by prosecutors and big-box retailers, that will appear on November’s ballot.

The announcement comes just one day before it would have needed to win votes from a majority of each house to make it on the ballot before lawmakers break for a monthlong summer recess.

The news was delivered to Democrats in the Legislature Tuesday evening in a late caucus call. The bill had already faced opposition from moderate and progressive Democrats who were frustrated by what they saw as a hastily-concocted plan to snub political opponents. One lawmaker, who was on the call Tuesday and granted anonymity to discuss private conversations, said some lawmakers took issue with Newsom’s sudden plans to head to Washington on Wednesday.

Newsom, in a statement, hung the blame on the California District Attorneys Association that is supporting the other crime measure, and which he argued did not engage with the administration and legislative leaders to reach a deal for averting a showdown on the ballot.

“They refused, opting to instead push a ballot measure that would revive policies from the era of mass incarceration and the failed War on Drugs,” he said.

Newsom said his proposal had the necessary legislative votes, but that leaders “were unable to meet the ballot deadline to secure necessary amendments to ensure this measure’s success and will be withdrawing it from consideration.”

Greg Totten, CEO of the CDAA and co-chair of Californians for Safer Communities, the coalition behind the other crime-related ballot measure, praised the governor’s decision.

“We are pleased The Governor and Legislature have dropped their countermeasure and welcome them to join our campaign to responsibly amend Prop 47 to deal with retail theft, the fentanyl crisis and homelessness,” he said in a statement.

Lara Korte and Blake Jones reported from Sacramento; Emily Schultheis reported from Los Angeles.