California voters weigh measures on shoplifting, forced labor and minimum wage

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California voters will decide on 10 ballot measures, including one that would once again make some nonviolent crimes such as shoplifting felonies and another that would make the state’s minimum wage be the largest in the country.

Here’s a look at some of the top proposals put to voters:

Proposition 36

It would make theft a felony for repeat offenders and increase penalties for some drug charges, including those involving the synthetic opioid fentanyl. It would also give judges the authority to order people with multiple drug charges to receive treatment.

Supporters say the initiative is needed to close loopholes that have made it difficult for law enforcement to punish thieves and drug dealers. The measure will also help the state address the homelessness and drug crises, they say.

Opponents, including Democratic state leaders and social justice groups, say it would disproportionately incarcerate poor people and those with substance use problems rather than targeting leaders who hire large groups of people to steal goods for online resale. The initiative would also eliminate drug and mental health funding that comes from savings from incarcerating fewer people.

Proposition 32

That would raise the minimum wage to $18 an hour by 2026, up from the current rate of $16 an hour for most people.

Fast food workers have already received a pay rise this year at least $20 an hourand some health workers now do a minimum $23 per hour.

If approved, California would have the highest statewide minimum wage in the nation. In 2016 it became the first state to promote a $15 an hour the minimum wage. About 40 cities and counties already have minimum wages higher than the statewide rate, and six of them require minimums of more than $18 an hour starting this year.

Hawaii passed a law in 2022 raising its minimum wage to $18 an hour until 2028.

Supporters of the California measure estimate it would benefit 2 million workers, including hotel and grocery workers. Opponents say it would raise costs, lead to higher taxes and push businesses to cut jobs.

Proposition 4

It asks voters for permission to borrow $10 billion for various climate programs, in what would be the state’s largest investment in the fight against climate change to date.

Most of the money, $3.8 billion, would go to improving drinking water systems and preparing for drought and floods. Wildfire preparedness programs would get $1.5 billion, while $1.2 billion would go to combating sea level rise.

The rest would be split between parks and outdoor recreation programs; air quality; extreme heat preparation; protecting biodiversity; and sustainability of farms and ranches.

Supporters of the measure say it would help the state better prepare for a changing climate and the growing threats of wildfires, water pollution and extreme heat.

Opponents say the bond is the “most expensive way” to pay for programs that could be funded through the budget.

It would cost taxpayers about $16 billion to pay, in annual installments of $400 million.

Proposition 6

This would change the state Constitution to prohibits forced labor in any form. The constitution currently prohibits it, except as a punishment for murder.

That exemption has become a target of criminal justice advocates who are concerned about prison working conditions. People who are incarcerated are often paid less than $1 an hour to fight fires, clean cells and landscape at cemeteries.

The initiative is included in a package of repair proposals introduced by lawmakers as part of an effort to atone and provide reparations for a history of racism and discrimination against black Californians.

Several other states, including Alabama, Oregon, Tennessee and Vermont, have passed constitutional amendments in recent years removing slavery and involuntary servitude exceptions.

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Austin is a member of the Associated Press Corps/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a national nonprofit program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercover issues. Follow Austin on Twitter: @ sophieadanna