Newsom Withdraws Crime Ballot Measure Proposal

California Governor Gavin Newsom and state Democrats have withdrawn a proposed ballot measure intended to counter the Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act, which aims to amend Proposition 47 to enhance penalties for drug dealers and repeat thieves. Despite Newsom's efforts to introduce a more balanced proposal that included stricter measures against fentanyl dealers and access to drug treatment programs, time constraints prevented the measure from making it to the ballot. Newsom criticized the existing ballot measure, arguing it would revive outdated and ineffective policies. The district attorneys and law enforcement-backed measure will now appear unopposed on the November ballot. This withdrawal follows failed negotiations to compromise on the existing measure, which advocates argue is necessary to address rising crime rates linked to Proposition 47.