California Lawmakers Attempt to Repeal Prop. 47

Los Angeles Police Department SWAT and K9 officers prepare to rescue hostages in Los Angeles, Calif., on Dec. 13, 2017. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times

California legislators are attempting to reinstate harsher penalties for shoplifters who steal less than $950 by repealing Proposition 47—a law that downgraded some crimes from felonies to misdemeanors.

This week, Chico City Council became one of the latest supporters of Assembly Bill 1599—a bill introduced by Assemblymen Kevin Kiley (R-Rocklin), James Gallagher (R-Yuba City), and Jim Patterson (R-Fresno) on Jan. 3 that would reimplement harsher criminal penalties that were relaxed by Proposition 47 in 2014.