A California proposal to crack down on shoplifting and drug crimes is gaining support from big retailers, law enforcement groups, crypto billionaires and more than 70 mayors, most of whom are Democrats or independents, representing cities from Beverly Hills to Fresno, Bloomberg reported.
The mayor of San Jose said many Sacramento politicians are trying to ignore calls from local officials to address drug overdoses, theft and homelessness. Supporters of Proposition 47, passed in 2014, argue that it encourages crime.
Opponents such as Newsom believe that the new proposal will exacerbate racial disparities in the legal system, threaten progress in reducing recidivism rates, and exacerbate problems. Independent financial and policy analysis agencies have expressed similar concerns.
Still, voters showed strong support for the proposal, with 83% of Republicans and 63% of Democrats backing it in a September survey.
