Newsom Defends Prop. 47, Says California Tougher Than Texas on Retail Theft Crimes

“It seems like we’ve just created this narrative,” Mr. Newsom said. “That’s not the fundamental issue ... it’s the other issues that are not Prop. 47 related.”

California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks in Los Angeles on Jan. 3, 2024. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—A voter initiative passed in 2014 to reduce prison populations is not to blame for retail theft crimes in the state, California Gov. Gavin Newsom told reporters during his budget proposal press conference Jan. 10.

“Everybody talks about Prop. 47, and they say we’ve got to change,” Mr. Newsom said. “I hear it 24/7 surround sound on all these news channels.”