Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman is urging California Governor Gavin Newsom to provide more funding for Proposition 36, a voter-approved measure designed to crack down on repeat offenders.
Proposition 36, which passed with overwhelming support in the 2024 general election, increases penalties for certain theft and drug-related crimes. Supporters warn, however, that the law will not be effective without more financial support.
“Governor Newsom, if you’re listening, get us this funding,” Hochman said during a Fox 11 interview.
Why It Matters
Proposition 36 was approved in November 2024, with nearly 70 percent of California voters backing it. The strong support reflected growing concerns about retail theft and drug crimes, especially in cities like San Francisco, where critics argue organized shoplifting has driven businesses away.
The vote also showed a shift among California voters on crime, which was a top issue in the 2024 election. Democrats lost ground in major cities such as Los Angeles and New York as frustration grew over how leaders were handling public safety.
Governor Newsom has opposed the measure since the beginning, warning it could lead to mass incarceration similar to the 1980s.
What To Know
On Friday, Hochman called on Newsom to “save lives” by giving the proposition more financial support.
The governor has already approved $110 million, but supporters argue the program needs about four times that amount to succeed. Hochman said progress will be “much, much slower” without the full funding and vowed to keep pressing the governor.
“We will call him. We will send him a social media DM. I’ll say it right to the camera: Governor Newsom, get us this funding,” Hochman said.
A spokesperson for Newsom’s office suggested the measure is unlikely to reach its $400 million goal, pointing out that California has already invested $1.7 billion in public safety statewide.
What Is Proposition 36?
Proposition 36, officially called “Allows Felony Charges and Increases Sentences for Certain Drug and Theft Crimes”, was passed by voters in November 2024.
The law lets prosecutors charge repeat shoplifting and petty theft cases as felonies if the accused has at least two prior theft convictions, even if the stolen goods are worth less than $950. It also raises penalties for organized thefts and property damage involving groups of people.
For drug crimes, the law creates a new “treatment-mandated felony.” People repeatedly caught with drugs like fentanyl or meth can enter treatment programs instead of going straight to prison. If they complete treatment, charges may be dropped. If not, they could face up to three years behind bars. Judges are also required to warn drug dealers that they could face murder charges if someone dies from drugs they provided.
Supporters believe Proposition 36 will reduce crime and overdose deaths. Critics, however, say it reverses reforms from 2014’s Proposition 47 and could send California back toward mass incarceration. The measure is expected to cost the state and counties hundreds of millions each year and may reduce funding for mental health, victim services, and treatment programs.
Implementation has been uneven across counties, with shortages in treatment programs raising doubts about whether the law will meet its goal of rehabilitation instead of punishment.
What People Are Saying
Nathan Hochman, LA County District Attorney: “You actually want to save lives. Get us this funding.”
Governor Gavin Newsom (2024, campaigning against Prop 36): “Prop 36 takes us back to the 1980s mass incarceration. It promotes a promise that can’t be delivered. I would ask those who support it, particularly mayors: Where are the treatment slots, where are the beds?”
What Happens Next?
Hochman is expected to keep pressuring Newsom to increase funding, but it is unclear if the governor will agree.
In the meantime, police departments across California are already making arrests under the new law.
