This was a true non-partisan/multi-partisan bill to stop (or at least drastically slow down) the outrageous “asset forfeiture” larceny by police agencies in California. A representative of Democrat State Senator Holly Mitchell attended the California Libertarian Party’s convention earlier this year to give a pitch for SB 443 and ask for help in urging Assembly Members to pass it. Libertarians were more than willing to lend their support, and I personally contacted my Assemblyman (who I know well) to persuade him to vote for it.
Of course the various law enforcement lobbies had strong motives to oppose SB 443, since it will mean the loss of lots of free (i.e., stolen) money from their slush funds. They tried to paint it as a “law and order” issue which would hamstring them. But fortunately an overwhelming majority of both Democrats and Republicans have now passed it. Governor Brown will likely sign it, but even if he doesn’t there appear to be more than enough votes to over-ride his veto.
These days it is incredibly rare that the California state legislature does something right. So let’s savior this brief happy moment.
Nice to get good news here in California.