Alliance for California's Renewal

Proposition 5 Threatens Public Safety, California's Consumers and Businesses

Sacramento - California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner today announced his formal opposition to Proposition 5 on this November's ballot. Commissioner Poizner issued the following statement:

"Proposition 5 is a major threat to public safety, California's consumers and our state's businesses during these difficult economic times."

"This misleading initiative does not do what it claims. It is not about keeping casual drug users out of jail but about reducing jail time for drug dealers and other criminals who commit serious felonies. Proposition 5 shortens parole for meth drug dealers from three years to just six months. It enables those who commit identity theft, auto theft, burglary, insurance fraud, mortgage fraud, arson, and a long list of other crimes to escape prison if they claim to have a drug problem. Proposition 5 even allows those who drive under the influence of drugs and injure or kill someone to escape incarceration."

"This initiative will cost California consumers and businesses dearly in the form of higher insurance rates and other economic costs because of the increased number of identity thefts, auto thefts, burglaries and other financial crimes that will be committed."

"Proposition 5 is a disaster for California's public safety, consumers, taxpayers and businesses. I strongly urge a NO vote on Proposition 5."

Poizner joins a bi-partisan list of current and former statewide elected officials who are publicly opposed to Proposition 5. Opponents include Senator Dianne Feinstein, former Governor Gray Davis, former Governor Pete Wilson, former Governor George Deukmejian, former Attorney General and current Congressman Dan Lungren and former Attorney General John Van de Kamp