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Californians pass Proposition 36 to increase penalties for repeat thieves
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Californians pass Proposition 36 to increase penalties for repeat thieves

Californians voted overwhelmingly on Tuesday to increase the penalties for repeat offenders and drug dealers who sell fentanyl under Proposition 36.

The measure garnered by far the most support of the 10 statewide ballot measures and overturns much of Prop 47 that voters passed in 2014.

Currently, if someone steals something worth $950 or less, it’s usually a misdemeanor. Under Prop 36, this is now a felony – and likely time behind bars.

Supporters say the measure will fight crime and combat homelessness by forcing people into treatment. Opponents said the measure would cost tens of millions of dollars and there was no threat that a tougher sentence would prevent crime or get people off the street.

Here’s a list of other statewide measures as of Tuesday at 11 p.m.:

State proposal 2

That measure passed and would authorize $10 billion to repair, upgrade and build California public schools and community colleges.

State proposal 3

That measure passed by a wide margin and would amend the California Constitution to declare that same-sex couples have the right to marry.

State proposal 4

That measure passed by a wide margin and would authorize $10 billion to be spent on environmental and climate projects, most of which would go toward improving drinking water.

State proposal 5

Voters said no to lowering the 2/3 support threshold to 55 percent for any local bond measures involving affordable housing or public infrastructure, including roads, water and fire protection.

State proposal 6

That measure was backward and would amend the California Constitution to prohibit prisons from using forced labor to punish inmates. It also prohibits prisons from disciplining inmates who refuse to work. Instead, inmates could voluntarily accept work assignments in exchange for credits that would reduce their sentences.

State proposal 32

That proposal was close behind and would raise the state minimum wage to $17 for the rest of this year and $18 an hour starting in January. The salary would be adjusted for inflation starting in 2027.

The current minimum wage in the city of San Diego is $16.85 per hour.

State proposal 33

Voters said no to a proposal that would have allowed cities to control rents for homes and apartments built after 1995 and for new renters, which they are currently not allowed to do under the law.

State proposal 34

That measure was coming up short and would require healthcare providers who meet certain criteria to spend at least 98 percent of their prescription drug rebate profits on direct patient care. The only provider that meets these criteria is the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), whose landlord is also heavily involved in housing policy and has been a strong supporter of rent control.

State proposal 35

That proposal passed by a wide margin and requires money the state receives from a tax on certain health care plans to be spent on Medi-Cal payments.

You can find a county-by-county breakdown of by voting these props here.