Hochul And Democrats In State Legislature Disagree On Raising Penalties For Retail Theft

[TTL News 308]

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As part of a $45 million plan to combat retail theft, Gov. Kathy Hochul wants to stiffen penalties against retail theft and anyone who assaults a store employee. 

But Democrats in the State Legislature are pushing back.

She highlighted the proposals at a news conference this week at the State Capitol, saying shoplifting incidents involving physical force have more than doubled. She appeared with grocery store and other shop owners, who back her efforts.

“These individuals are very exposed, especially in a small shop with just one worker. They don't have any way to protect themselves. They're literally on the front line,” Hochul said. “And under this law, assaulting a retail worker would carry the same elevated penalties that we have in place for assaulting a first responder.”

She wants to make the crime a Class D felony.

Hochul put the proposals in her state budget plan, where governors have the most leverage to get policy issues passed.

The governor also wants to empower the State Police to investigate and prosecute interstate and even international retail theft rings. She’s set aside $25 million and is directing 100 more troopers to be hired.

Hochul spoke as the state Senate and Assembly were releasing their budget plans. Neither included the additional penalties in their plans.

Senate Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris said the Senate wants to look at other ways to fight retail theft, including targeting repeat offenders.

 

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[Chris 2,162]

47 minutes ago, TTL News Bot said:

Senate Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris said the Senate wants to look at other ways to fight retail theft, including targeting repeat offenders.

Call me crazy, butit seems to me that if there's no repercussions for the first offense, you're gonna get a repeat offender.