1 minute
Today, California Senate Democrats voted to make California less safe by rejecting a floor amendment from Senator Tony Strickland (R-Huntington Beach) that would have fully funded Proposition 36 (Prop. 36). Fed up with rampant crime and drug use in their communities, nearly 70% of Californians in all 58 counties voted for Prop. 36 in 2024 to hold repeat offenders accountable and make sure that vulnerable individuals struggling with addiction obtain treatment. Click HERE to watch Senator Strickland’s remarks.
“I’m disappointed but not surprised. I stand with Californians who spoke loud and clear when they approved Prop. 36. It’s our job as a legislature to ensure their will is honored,” said Senator Strickland. “Eighteen months after California voters strongly approved Prop. 36, it still hasn’t been fully funded, and that is a huge problem. The majority party had a chance to get the job done, and they flatly rejected today’s opportunity amendments to have a meaningful discussion and vote for it.”
This year, Senator Strickland also introduced Senate Bill 926 (SB 926), which would have established a framework to distribute Proposition 36 funding, directing resources toward behavioral health and community-based intervention programs.
SB 926 was approved unanimously in the Senate Public Safety Committee last month. However, it was later killed in the Senate’s Appropriations Committee. Senator Strickland’s action on the Floor today was another attempt to revive the effort and hold the legislature accountable to the voters.
Using every legislative avenue available to him, Senator Strickland also sent a budget letter to the Senate Budget Committee seeking to obtain $400 million in funding for Prop. 36.