California Democrats pass on funding Prop. 36 as Newsom celebrates rights of crime victims

(The Center Square) - As California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a letter recognizing victims of crime, California Democrats shut down a proposal to provide funding for Proposition 36.

Prop. 36 was passed by more than two-thirds of California voters last year, making serial theft and drug crimes prosecutable as felonies, and creating treatment-mandated felonies that allow the mentally ill or substance-addicted to get court-ordered treatment instead of prison.

Republican legislators proposed $400 million in funding this year for treatment relating to treatment-mandated felonies, with the vote failing largely along party lines.

Earlier this week, Newsom issued a letter recognizing National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, leading critics to point out the hypocrisy of state leadership.

“Too many victims walk away from the legal system feeling unheard and unsupported,” said the governor in his letter. “California is committed to supporting and empowering victims of crime.”

Republicans wondered why the governor, who did not include Prop. 36 funding in his budget proposal for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, isn’t funding a measure that earned the support of a supermajority of California voters.

“Gov. Newsom’s rhetoric has never translated into real actions,” said Sen. Tony Strickland, R-Huntington Beach, to The Center Square. “The hypocrisy is laughable and once again. I urge him and legislative Democrats to fund Prop. 36, which was passed by nearly 70% of voters in all 58 counties in California.”

In February, the state-funded Legislative Analyst’s Office said that while the governor’s budget may underfund courts and treatment, treatment for behavioral and substance abuse issues is available through Medi-Cal, the Behavioral Health Services Act and other state programs.

However, should a high influx of Prop. 36-related cases add to more convicted criminals than expected — as the growth in the population of Los Angeles County’s main jail suggests — more funding could be necessary to prevent adverse consequences for criminals and the public alike.