This conversation aired in the April 3, 2025 episode of Crosscurrents.
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Last November, California voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition 36, a law aimed at cracking down on rising retail theft. The prop makes what were previously misdemeanors into felonies, while also providing defendants with the option of seeking drug treatment as opposed to prison.
But, already, many counties are discovering that instead of being part of a solution to crime and drugs, Prop 36 has compounded their existing problems. And that’s because, so far, it has established an unfunded mandate.
Cayla Mihalovich is a justice reporter with CalMatters. She has written extensively on the dilemma facing many California counties caused, in part, by the passage of Prop 36.
