Governor of California Gavin Newsom has withdrawn his last-minute effort to put a second crime-fighting measure before voters this fall, two lawmakers confirmed Tuesday night, a dramatic U-turn just hours before he travels to Washington to defend Joe Biden.
Their measure would have toughened penalties for repeat shoplifters and drug dealers who laced substances with fentanyl. It was an attempt to compete with another tough-on-crime measure backed by prosecutors and major retailers that is set to appear on the November ballot.
The announcement comes just one day before the proposal is expected to appear on the ballot before lawmakers go on a month-long summer recess.
