‘We shouldn't be playing politics with the voters' will': Democratic lawmaker slams Gov. Newsom over Prop 36 funding
(INSIDE CALIFORNIA POLITICS) — State lawmakers from both parties are calling out Governor Gavin Newsom and leadership in the legislature over a lack of funding for Proposition 36.
The law, which stiffens penalties for repeat drug and theft offenders, passed by an overwhelming majority in 2024. Despite the widespread support, Governor Newsom did not allocate any funding for the proposition in his revised budget proposal, citing the state's $12 billion deficit.
Democratic State Sen. Cathrine Blakespear expressed frustration over the funding battle on this week's edition of Inside California Politics.
'We just shouldn't be playing politics with the voters' will,' Blakespear said. 'The voters supported this at 68%. At the end of the day, we need to fund it. We need to implement this. We need to carry through on what the voters asked for, and that should be the bottom line.'
Inside California Politics: June 14, 2025
The former mayor of Encinitas was one of several Democrats who unveiled their own budget proposal last week, which includes $110 million in one-time funding for Prop 36. However, the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst Office says it's not enough.
'I don't know if that's the right number or not, because there are so many numbers that are floated,' Blakespear said. 'But I do know that we need to have money for courts and we need sheriffs to have money and we need probation officers to have money, district attorneys. Implementing it means that there are going to be more people who are involved in the criminal justice system.'
Governor Newsom, who openly campaigned against the proposition over concerns that it would drive up incarceration rates, argues it is up to local officials who supported the law to find the money. His office released a statement Wednesday saying he will nonetheless 'ensure the law is operationalized.'
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'There are 400 more people in jail in San Diego County than there were before Prop 36,' Blakespear said. 'So clearly the idea that there's no money available and that the money's not needed. That's just clearly not true.'
Gov. Newsom must reach an agreement with the legislature before the start of the new fiscal year on July 1. Inside California Politics airs this weekend during the following times:
KTLA: Sunday, June 22 at 5:30 a.m.KRON: Saturday, June 21 at 6:30 p.m.KSEE: Saturday, June 21 at 6:30 p.m. and Sunday, June 22 at 8:30 a.m.KSWB: Sunday, June 22 at 5:30 a.m. and 11:00 p.m.KGET: Sunday, June 22 at 8:30 a.m.KTXL: Saturday, June 21 at 11:00 p.m. and Sunday, June 22 at 7:30 a.m.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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