SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California Republican lawmakers unveiled a bill package to help uplift small businesses throughout the state.

Some of the legislation targets retail theft concerns and high taxes and burdensome regulations.

“We’ve seen hundreds of thousands of businesses close — shut their doors because of what’s going on. Struggling under the scourge of a retail theft epidemic,” said Assembly Minority leader James Gallagher.

Assemblymember Juan Alanis authored a bill that would establish a grant program for district attorney’s offices and various law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute retail crimes.

A new report from Crosstown LA shows shoplifting soared 81% in Los Angeles 2023 from the previous year, reaching 11,946 cases. 

“To be quite frank, our businesses for way too long have been struggling to keep their customers safe, to keep their employees safe from theft,” Alanis said.

Another component that some lawmakers blame for retail theft is Proposition 47, which raised the dollar threshold for shoplifting to be considered a felony.

The issue has divided Democrats as some have called for reform while others, like Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, have not taken a position. 

There is a ballot measure to repeal Prop 47 that is still in the qualifying stages to get on the November ballot. Gallagher supports the measure that would bring several reforms to the 2014 initiative.

“Prop 47 needs to be reformed. It absolutely needs to be reformed, and it’s not just me saying it, it’s a majority of Californians,” Gallagher notes.

A new report released by the Legislative Analyst’s Office shows California could face a $73 billion dollar deficit. Gallagher blames the rising deficit on the Democratic supermajority in the Legislature.

“Less revenue coming in because we’ve collapsed the small business economy,” Gallagher said. 

The bill package will also focus on uplifting small businesses through tax breaks and easing regulations for business owners.

One bill, authored by Assemblymember Diane Dixon from Orange County, would implement a “back-to-school” sales tax holiday in the first weekend in August. More than a dozen states already have a similar holiday to help parents and students. 

California has the highest state-level sales tax rate of 7.25%, Dixon says suspending the tax will help address the rising costs of goods and keep money in local economies.

“Local stores are the backbone of our towns and cities,” she said.

Another bill, authored by Assemblymember Laurie Davies, would prioritize minority-owned business in government contracts. Davies, a small business owner herself, says California needs to help keep business from moving out of state.

“We need to guarantee every business, from every type of person, has a seat at the table,” Davies said.

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