Here are the morning’s top stories on Thursday, May 16, 2024:
- Chances are if you’ve heard about Proposition 47 lately, it’s likely because someone was attacking the landmark criminal justice reform. Critics blame Prop 47 for shoplifting, drug use and homelessness in the state, and are trying to roll it back with a new initiative this fall. But the law has also resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars in state savings. That money is being used to fund rehabilitative programs.
- Sonoma State University’s president has been placed on indefinite leave by California State University Chancellor Mildred García for insubordination. It comes after President Mike Lee reached a divestment agreement this week with pro-Palestinian protesters on campus.
- California is looking for volunteers to test out a system that could change the way we pay for many of the state’s highways and other transportation needs. With the state shifting to an electric vehicle future, that means it has to rely less on the gas tax, which helps fund transportation projects.
- The union representing 48,000 graduate student teaching assistants, researchers and other student workers on University of California campuses has voted to authorize a strike. United Auto Workers Local 4811 alleges its workers’ rights have been violated due to how several UC schools handled pro-Palestinian demonstrations and encampments on campuses.
A Landmark Criminal Justice Reform Has Saved California Millions. These Are the Programs It’s Funded
Proposition 47, the state’s landmark criminal justice reform, has faced sharp criticism recently. Many blame the measure for shoplifting, property crime, drug use and homelessness in the state. But a KQED investigation found no major increase in reported shoplifting or overall theft since Prop 47 passed.
A group led by retailers and prosecutors is trying to roll it back with a new initiative this fall.
But the law has also resulted in some $800 million in state savings, because fewer people are being sent to prison and jail for drug and low-level property crimes under the law. That money has been used to fund rehabilitative programs.
Sonoma State President Placed On Leave Over Divestment Agreement
Sonoma State University President Mike Lee has been placed on administrative leave for insubordination. The decision by California State University Chancellor Mildred García comes shortly after Lee reached a deal with pro-Palestinian student protesters.