Gov. Newsom has stepped in to help revive a bill that would increase penalties for child trafficking.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom stepped in on Wednesday to help revive a bill in the state Legislature that would increase penalties for child trafficking in the state, siding with a Republican state senator over some members of his own party.
The bill by Republican state Sen. Shannon Grove would make child trafficking a serious felony in California. Anyone convicted of at least three serious felonies in California is punished by a sentence of between 25 years and life in prison, known as the “three strikes law.” The bill had easily passed the Democratic-controlled Senate earlier this year, and Grove expected it to have little opposition in the Assembly. On Tuesday, Democrats on the Assembly Public Safety Committee declined to advance the bill, putting it in danger of not passing this year.
Newsom said Wednesday he was surprised the bill had stalled. He said he called Grove to talk about the bill, telling reporters that the call “is indicative of my desire to see what we can do with it.” Newsom said he “cares deeply” about the issue, noting he signed a state budget last year that included $25 million for services for children who had been victims of sex trafficking.Sign up for NBC Bay Area’s Housing Deconstructed newsletter.
Newsom's involvement on this issue highlights the split among Democrats over how best to prevent and punish crime. Some moderate Democrats favor increasing penalties for drug dealers and other criminals, decisions that would ensure they stay in prison longer. Some progressive Democrats oppose those bills, arguing it would lead only add to the mass incarceration of offenders, which they say has done little to deter crime.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Gov. Gavin Newsom steps in to help revive a stalled bill on child traffickingGov. Gavin Newsom stepped in to help revive a bill in the state Legislature that would increase penalties for child trafficking in the state, siding with a Republican state senator over some members of his own party.
Read more »
California Gov. Newsom slams Abbott for his 'disregard for human life'California Governor Gavin Newsom slammed Republicans for what he calls their disregard for human life, including Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.
Read more »
Sanders trolls Newsom with state rankings after comment about putting GOP on 'heels'Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders clapped back at Democrat Gov. Gavin Newsom for saying Republicans 'should be on their heels' after thousands of Californians have left his state.
Read more »
Budget troubles won't change California Gov. Gavin Newsom's goals for 2nd term, he tells APCalifornia Gov. Gavin Newsom says looming multi-billion budget deficits will not change his agenda for his second term in office
Read more »
Budget troubles won't change California Gov. Gavin Newsom's goals for 2nd term, he tells APCalifornia Gov. Gavin Newsom says looming multi-billion budget deficits will not change his agenda for his second term in office.
Read more »
Ex-Charles Manson follower Leslie Van Houten released from California prisonFormer Charles Manson follower Leslie Van Houten was released from a California prison Tuesday, four days after Gov. Gavin Newsom's office announced it would no longer challenge her parole grant.
Read more »