From CalMatters native information fellow Cayla Mihalovich:
California voters overwhelmingly accepted Proposition 36a brand new legislation that stiffened penalties for sure drug and theft prices, and pledged to supply “mass treatment” for these dealing with drug prices.
However because the legislation took impact, some counties have been scrambling to implement the measure with out new funding or, in line with folks concerned in implementing the legislation, adequate sources.
In the meantime, a whole lot of individuals have been charged and incarcerated.
That’s what coverage analysts, legislation enforcement, public defenders, district attorneys and behavioral well being consultants mentioned at a Tuesday legislative listening to concerning the impact and implementation of the brand new legislation.
- Sen. Kelly Seyartoa Murrieta Republican: “Find your tax dollars. The citizens of California have spoken. If we do anything short of that, then we are not honoring their request.”
The Legislative Analyst’s Workplace estimated the measure would value from a number of tens to a whole lot of tens of millions of {dollars} a yr in elevated legal justice prices. Gov. Gavin Newsom’s January price range proposal didn’t allocate cash for Prop. 36, however estimated the measure would yield a rise of three,300 folks to the jail inhabitants over the subsequent yr.
Roughly 30,000 circumstances yearly — roughly 56% theft associated and 44% drug associated — are anticipated to be filed as felonies fairly than misdemeanors due to Prop. 36, in line with Francine Byrne, Director of Felony Justice Companies inside the state court docket system’s policymaking physique, the Judicial Council.
A lot of these circumstances require “significantly more” judicial oversight, underscoring the necessity for extra sources and funding, stated Sergio Tapia, Los Angeles County Superior Courtroom Decide.
Different consultants voiced concern over the shortage of therapy availability, workforce shortages, courtroom infrastructure and racial disparities within the software of the legislation. Regardless of these issues, lawmakers expressed a dedication to fund and implement the desire of the voters.
- Sen. Anna Caballeroa Merced Democrat: “We have to spend the money to do this and I want to see us do it right. We’re going to be flying this plane and fixing it at the same time.”
