As California faces a budget deficit in the billions, a Republican state senator is pushing to dedicate $400 million to fully fund Prop 36, a voter-approved measure that increases penalties for certain drug and theft crimes.
Sen. Tony Strickland (R-Huntington Beach) is asking the Legislature to commit the funding in the next budget year, arguing that Gov. Gavin Newsom has not made the measure a priority despite overwhelming voter approval in 2024.
“It’s a whole accountability piece of the initiative. So I’m looking at every avenue possible to keep this and try to get this fully funded,” Strickland said.
Strickland sent a letter to Democratic Sen. John Laird, who chairs the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee, requesting the $400 million allocation.
“I think the most essential role of government is public safety. We need to get law enforcement the tools they need to keep us safe,” Strickland said.
Newsom has been an open critic of Prop 36 and committed $100 million during the current budget year. During a Wednesday press conference, he defended his position, pointing to a recent survey conducted by the courts.
“There was just a survey done by the courts worth reading, they should actually read it, some of the advocates,” Newsom said. “Highlighted the success, the failures of prop 36. Overwhelmingly, no one was talking about the need for more resources.”
With the state facing a multibillion-dollar deficit, legislative analyst Chris Micheli said securing an additional $400 million could be challenging, especially because the measure did not include a dedicated funding source.
“Prop 36 itself lacked a funding source. It didn’t specify an amount from the general fund. It didn’t impose a new tax obligation. So every year the proponents of Prop 36 are going to have to fight for a budget appropriation each and every fiscal year,” Micheli said.
Even without guaranteed funding, the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office says the measure is already having an impact. Sheriff Jim Cooper said he supports the additional funding and believes the law is making a difference.
“I support it 100%. Everyone in law enforcement supports it. We need the money to try and do that. Has it made a difference? Yes, so far without having the money,” Cooper said. “We noticed that our thefts are down and the bad guys talk about it amongst themselves that they’re being held accountable.”
Laird declined an interview request and did not comment on Strickland’s request for additional funding.
WATCH MORE ON ABC10 | District Attorneys say Prop. 36 helping tackle repeat theft one year after passage