Mahan: Let California judges require drug treatment that ends suffering on streets
Proposition 36 would not return state to mass incarceration; it would keep people alive, out of jail and off the streets This article was originally published in the Mercury News Fentanyl and drug addiction are overwhelming California communities. Drug overdoses are now the leading cause of death for Californians aged 15-44. Addiction is fueling the homelessness crisis and creating […]
Mercury News: Statewide poll shows runaway support for Prop. 36 measure to toughen theft, drug crime penalties
This article was originally published in the Mercury News. By ROBERT SALONGA PPIC findings show ballot initiative borne out of frustration with property crime, fentanyl dealing has 71% support from likely voters A new statewide poll shows that Proposition 36, a ballot measure aimed at rolling back criminal justice reforms from the past decade and instituting harder penalties for theft and […]
California needs Prop. 36 to help bring accountability to the fentanyl crisis
By Tom Wolf This article was originally published in Cal Matters Proposition 36 qualified for the November ballot in California with over 900,000 signatures. Simply put, this ballot initiative will reform aspects of Proposition 47 that in 2014 reclassified several “quality of life” crimes as misdemeanors instead of felonies. The most obvious was shoplifting — where the threshold for […]
Cal Matters: It’s now significantly more deadly to be homeless. Why are so many people dying?
This article was originally published in Cal Matters. By MARISA KENDALL For many people, living on the streets of California is a death sentence. That’s according to a recent study that took the first deep look into mortality rates in homeless communities throughout the country. It found the death rate more than tripled between 2011 and 2020. […]
Sacramento leaders: Prop. 36 would begin an ‘era of mass treatment’ for drug addiction | Opinion
By: Thien Ho And Bobbie Singh-Allen This article was originally published in the Sacramento Bee In 2014, Californians enacted Proposition 47 — criminal justice reforms designed to end the era of mass-incarceration for non-violent crimes and ease prison overcrowding. Now, a decade later, we can see that for all of the good intentions in this […]
The Issue Is: San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan on Why California Needs Prop 36
Where you stand on creating accountability and treatment by passing Proposition 36 might just depend on where you are sitting. San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan sat down with Elex Michaelson on “The Issue Is:” to discuss why California needs Prop 36 – the proposition on the November ballot that would bring thoughtful reforms to Prop […]
Mercury News Editorial: Prop. 36’s smart response to crime, addiction, homelessness
By: MERCURY NEWS & EAST BAY TIMES EDITORIAL Measure provides much-needed adjustment to well-intentioned criminal justice reform measure state voters passed in 2014 California faces rapidly increasing homelessness, steadily rising retail theft and a startling escalation of opioid-related deaths. The three are interconnected and must be addressed. Proposition 36 provides a thoughtful and tempered response. Voters should back the measure on […]
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan discusses support of Prop. 36 with Inside California Politics
Watch for yourself as San José Mayor Matt Mahan discusses how Proposition 36 means treatment and accountability now. Bringing back court-mandated treatment will save money for consumers now paying a “theft tax,” save billions in reduced costs for managing the homeless crisis, save lives of those in danger of overdosing, and keep small businesses open. Governor Gavin […]
‘Devastated’: Longtime S.F. restaurant mourns irreplaceable vintage cash register taken in burglary
This article was originally published in the San Francisco Chronicle By Carolyn Stein Hamburger Haven, an Inner Richmond restaurant that has been operating since 1968, was burglarized early Sunday morning with thieves taking a beloved and irreplaceable antique cash register. Owner Roozbeh Falahati described the cash register as a “centerpiece” of the establishment. “It’s been there since […]
Owner of iconic L.A. deli says he could close his doors in a week, calls on city to take action
This article was originally published in ABC 7 By Anabel Munoz LOS ANGELES (KABC) — Located across the street from MacArthur Park, Langer’s Deli just celebrated its 77th anniversary. “It is probably the best pastrami sandwich I’ve ever had,” said customer Tina Nelis. The restaurant sees a steady flow of customers throughout the day. But owner […]