Proposal 36 is a monetary problem for local authorities

From the local news about Calmatters Kayla Mihalovich:

California voters predominantly approved proposal 36A new law that has intensified penalties for certain allegations of drugs and thefts and has promised to provide “mass treatment” for those who face drugs.

But as the law came into force, some counties were shake to apply the measure No new funding or according to the people involved in the implementation of the law, enough resources.

Meanwhile, hundreds of people have been charged and imprisoned.

It is that political analysts, law enforcement authorities, public defenders, district lawyers and behavioral health experts discussed during a legislative hearing on the effect and implementation of the new law.

• Seni. Kelly SyrtoMurout Republican: “Find your tax dollars. California citizens have spoken. If we do something smaller than this, then we do not honor their request. “

The legislative analyzer service has considered that the measure will cost from several tens to hundreds of millions of dollars a year with increased costs of criminal justice. Governor Gavin Newsom’s Budget proposal in January did not allocate money to prop. 36, but evaluated that the measure would lead to an increase of 3,300 people for the prison population next year.

Approximately 30,000 cases each year – approximately 56%associated with theft and 44%related to drugs – are expected to be filed as crimes, not as crimes due to proportion. 36, according to Francin Burne, Director of Criminal Justice Services within the framework of the political body of the state system, which creates a court policy, the Judicial Council.

Many of these cases require “significantly more” judicial supervision, emphasizing the need for additional resources and funding, said Sergio Tapia, a judge of the Supreme Court of Los Angeles County.

Other experts have expressed concern about the lack of treatment, shortage of labor, infrastructure in the courtroom and racial differences in the implementation of the law. Despite these concerns, MPs expressed their commitment to fund and apply the will of the voters.

• Seni. Anna CabalaleroMerced Democrat: “We have to spend the money to do this and I want to see us do it right. We will fly this plane and repair it at the same time. “