California voters passed Prop 36 by a wide margin in November 2024, but Sacramento is undermining it by refusing to allocate the funding needed for implementation—a move critics are calling an after-the-fact veto of the people's will. San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, who has made Prop 36 enforcement a centerpiece of his criticism of state leadership, just launched a gubernatorial campaign built on the argument that California needs leaders who actually execute rather than obstruct. The fight over whether Prop 36 gets real resources may become a defining issue in the 2026 governor's race.
San Jose's mayor reduced homelessness by a quarter while Sacramento fumbled. Now he's bringing receipts to the governor's race.
Californians voted for public safety. The state legislature decided their votes don't count.