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   From: gavin.newsom.takes.black.cocks.up@his.ass   
      
   An email chain obtained by CBS News California Investigates reveals that   
   the Governor's Chief of Staff would not negotiate to strengthen a   
   Democratic package of crime bills unless a coalition of crime victims,   
   retailers, and law enforcement leaders would agree to postpone thier   
   ballot measure until 2026.   
      
   At issue is the proposed Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction   
   Act. It's intended to reform Prop. 47, which is the 2014 voter-approved   
   law that reduced punishments for drug possession and thefts under $950.   
      
   The ballot proposal has been billed as a Republican-led initiative, but   
   it's actually sponsored by a group of victims' advocates, business and   
   public safety leaders -- including former prominent DAs.   
      
   Top donors for the ballot measure, which has now qualified for the ballot,   
   include Walmart and Target.   
      
   In an effort to address crime in California, without going back to voters   
   to amend Prop 47, Democratic leadership came up with its own set of bills   
   that lawmakers can pass, without voter approval. The Governor created this   
   legislative framework to address property crime, as well as some of the   
   limitations related to the Prop 47, but it does not go as far as the   
   ballot measure itself.   
      
   Democratic leadership has publicly agreed to negotiate with the initiative   
   coalition to strengthen its package of bills.   
      
   However, based on these emails – first obtained by CBS News California –   
   it appears negotiations have stalled and the Governor's Office would   
   prefer Californians not vote on reforming Prop. 47 this year.   
      
   In one email, the Governor's Chief of Staff Dana Williamson tells the   
   coalition's lead negotiator, Greg Totten, that leadership is willing to   
   negotiate on its package of crime bills, which would take effect   
   immediately, clarifying "As far as an initiative, we are open to something   
   in 2026."   
      
   Totten replies, "As I noted previously, our focus is on amending   
   Proposition 47 on the 2024 ballot." adding, "If the administration is   
   prepared to consider an amendment of Proposition 47 on the 2024 ballot,   
   then we are happy to meet."   
      
   Williamson responds, "If that's your position then I agree, there's   
   nothing to talk about. She adds, "It's really amazing how you are   
   incapable of taking a win. And the consultants you're working with haven't   
   won anything in a decade. Good luck."   
      
   https://cbs-news-data.github.io/ca-   
   assets/MISC/RE_Response_to_Governors_Office_Proposal_redacted_by_CBS_Redac   
   ted.pdf   
      
   Above: An email chain, obtained by CBS News California Investigates,   
   reveals the governor's Chief of Staff did not want to negotiate with the   
   initiative coalition unless they agreed to postpone their ballot measure   
   until 2026.   
   Click here to open in a new window.   
      
   Following the breakdown in negotiations, Democratic leaders added a so-   
   called 'poison pill' to their bills on Monday that would automatically   
   repeal them if voters pass the ballot measure in November.   
      
   Several prominent democrats broke ranks with leadership, pulling their   
   bills from the package, or pulling their names off bills, in light of the   
   decision to move forward with the repeal clause. It's not clear now   
   whether leadership will have the votes needed to get the package passed.   
      
   Neither the Governor's Office nor the coalition was available for an   
   interview on Monday. However, they issued the following statements.   
      
   Greg Totten, CDAA / Californians for Safety and Justice:   
      
   "While I'm not willing to comment on negotiations about the ballot   
   measure, I can say that we've had one objective in pursuing this ballot   
   measure: to address the unintended consequences of parts of Proposition   
   47, which have resulted in a surge in retail theft, fentanyl trafficking,   
   and overdose deaths. Additionally, we aim to provide stronger incentives   
   for getting hard drug users into treatment. Unfortunately, state leaders   
   are prioritizing politics over public safety."   
      
   Governor's office:   
      
      
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