Californians pass Prop 36 to increase penalties for repeat shoplifters

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

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

Currently, it is generally a crime for someone to steal something worth $950 or less. Under Prop 36, that’s now a misdemeanor — and likely time behind bars.

Supporters say the measure will fight crime and combat homelessness by pushing people into treatment. Opponents have said the measure will cost tens of millions of dollars, and that there is no threat that harsher penalties will prevent crime or get people off the streets.

Here is an overview of other national measures from 11 p.m. on Tuesday:

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This measure passed and would provide $10 billion to repair, upgrade and build California’s public schools and community colleges.

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

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This measure was comfortably passed and would allow $10 billion to be spent on environmental and climate projects, with the majority going to drinking water improvements.

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

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

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This proposal narrowly missed out and would increase the state minimum wage to $17 for the rest of this year and to $18 per hour starting in January. The wage would be adjusted to inflation from 2027.

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

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Voters said no to this proposal that would allow cities to control rents for homes and apartments built after 1995 and for new tenants, which they are currently prohibited from doing by law.

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This measure was narrowly passed and would require health care providers who meet certain criteria to spend at least 98% of profits from prescription drug rebates on direct patient care. The only provider that meets those criteria is the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), whose owner is also heavily involved in housing politics and is a strong supporter of rent control.

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This proposal passed by a wide margin and would require the money the state gets from a tax on certain health care plans to be spent on Medi-Cal payments.

You can find a county-by-county breakdown of the vote for these props here.