Democratic leaders in California push for crime legislation

(CALMATTERS) – After Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a series of anti-shoplifting bills pushed by Democratic leaders, some Democrats are ready to champion the legislation and oppose a separate crime bill, Proposition 36.

Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas plans to unveil the 10 new laws today in Salinas alongside police officers, business leaders and a handful of other lawmakers. As CalMatters justice reporter Nigel Duara explains, the laws make it easier to prosecute shoplifting and car thefts. When Newsom signed the measures on Friday, he called them “the most significant anti-property crime legislation in modern California history.”

Newsom and Democratic politicians, including Rivas, have positioned the legislation as an alternative to Prop. 36. Outside the state Capitol, Democratic lawmakers led by Rep. Isaac Bryan of Culver City are also planning a rally against the measure today.