Joint Statement from California District Attorneys Association, California State Sheriffs’ Association & Chief Probation Officers of California.
The proposed 2026-2027 state budget presented by Governor Gavin Newsom has once again failed to allocate necessary funding for the implementation of Proposition 36, according to a joint statement from key California justice system associations. This marks the second consecutive year the budget has overlooked the funding needs for the voter-intended initiative.
Voter Intent and Accountability
Californians in all 58 counties overwhelmingly approved Proposition 36 to reintroduce genuine accountability for repeat retail thieves and individuals involved in hard-drug trafficking. The measure combines punitive measures with court-supervised treatment programs that have a proven track record of effectiveness.
Operational Challenges Without Funding
Without sufficient resources, law enforcement, prosecutors, and probation officers are significantly hindered in their ability to fully enforce the law as demanded by voters. The lack of funding means the state cannot fully deliver the results intended at the ballot box.
Proposition 36 offers a tested framework designed to hold people accountable, guide them into treatment, lower repeat crime rates, and help individuals rehabilitate and rejoin their communities. Counties are prepared to move forward with this model but stress that its success is contingent upon the required funding.
Call to Action for the Legislature
The message from California voters was unequivocal: the state has a clear obligation to fully fund and carry out the law they passed. The involved associations look forward to collaborating with the California State Legislature to ensure that constituents’ voices are heard and the law is implemented correctly.
The Impact of Prop. 36
Key points regarding its early impact:
- Increased Felony Filings: Early data from the first few months of implementation show a notable increase in the number of theft and drug cases being filed as felonies by prosecutors.
- Treatment Enrollment: While the proposition was marketed as providing “mass treatment” for drug offenders, early reports indicate a very low rate of participants completing the court-mandated treatment programs. Only a small fraction of those eligible have elected treatment instead of potential jail time.
- Funding Issues: The lack of specific funding for the mandated treatment programs has left county systems strained and unable to provide sufficient treatment infrastructure, a major point of contention among critics and supporters alike.
Early analyses suggest the proposition has increased incarceration, but a clear, long-term impact on overall crime reduction has not yet been established.
Yes, most California residents still supported Proposition 36 as of the time it was passed and in the immediate year following its implementation.
Support for Prop. 36
The public sentiment leading up to the November 2024 election was overwhelmingly in favor of the measure, which reversed parts of a previous initiative (Proposition 47) and introduced stricter penalties for repeat retail theft and fentanyl-related crimes.
Details of Support
- Initial Vote: Proposition 36 passed with nearly 70% of the statewide vote.
- Polling Data: Final polls conducted in late 2024 consistently showed strong majority support, with some surveys showing as much as 73% of likely voters in favor.
- Bipartisan Appeal: Support was broad-based, with majorities of Democrats, Republicans, and independents backing the measure, indicating a widespread desire for a tougher approach to perceived increases in crime.
- Reasons for Support: The primary driver for support was the desire for greater accountability for repeat offenders and the promise of mandatory treatment for drug offenders, a “balanced approach” that resonated with voters frustrated by visible retail theft and homelessness.
Post-Implementation Views
While the initial support was strong, a year after its implementation, news reports have highlighted mixed results and implementation challenges, particularly the lack of sufficient funding for the promised treatment programs. This has led to debate among advocates about whether the law is working as intended, but no recent polls have been widely reported to indicate a major shift in public opinion since the initial passage.
The left are the ones that are constantly railing about anything they disagree with being a “threat to democracy”, but then they totally ignore the will of the people. CORRUPT! They serve to enrich themselves and advance their career– nothing else matters to them but power and money. Vote out corruption!