The recent $1-million donation by the Yes on Proposition 36 campaign to the California Republican Party has laid bare the true partisan motivations behind this ballot measure. Despite previous claims of bipartisan backing, this large financial contribution highlights Proposition 36 as a strategic attempt to revert California to outdated and ineffective 'tough on crime' policies. Historically, such approaches have led to the disproportionate incarceration of people of color, aligning with the political party's legacy of championing these flawed methods.

Proposition 36 poses a risk to the advances achieved through Proposition 47, which significantly reduced California's prison population and has saved taxpayers over $800 million since its implementation in 2014. The annual cost to incarcerate a single person in California stands at a staggering $132,860, a figure that overshadows the critical issue of addressing the underlying causes of theft-related crimes, such as poverty and limited economic opportunities. Rather than retreating to proven ineffective policies, resources should be directed towards more beneficial initiatives such as job training programs, educational resources for those incarcerated, and comprehensive community-based violence prevention efforts.

This donation starkly indicates that Proposition 36 is driven by political ambition, not genuine concern for public safety. Californians are urged to dismiss Proposition 36 and call for sensible, evidence-based approaches that foster safety without abandoning principles of fairness and justice. We must focus on eradicating poverty and not merely populating prisons. This is a plea for systemic change and investment in restorative solutions that truly serve the community's well-being and security.

George Galvis, from Oakland, is the executive director of Communities United for Restorative Youth Justice, an organization opposed to Proposition 36.