Chico Times

SACRAMENTO – An important package of retail theft and crime bills passed out of the Assembly today after several attempts were made by Democrats to kill the bills earlier this year.

“These bills are a good first step towards reducing crime and keeping Californians safe,” said Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher (Yuba City). “It’s shameful that Democrats tried to play politics with something as important as public safety. I am grateful to all the Californians who made it clear they were sick of political games and demanded these bills pass without poison pill amendments.”

The bills passed after Democrats attempted to sabotage the Homelessness, Drug Abuse, and Theft Reduction Act (also known as Prop 36) by inserting poison pills that would have automatically repealed the bills if the initiative passed. These bills, which address organized retail theft, vehicle burglary, and arson, will now return to the State Senate for a final vote before going to the governor to be signed into law.