GIFFORDS applauds California Supreme Court decision to block ballot initiative

WASHINGTON — Today GIFFORDS, the national gun violence prevention group founded by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, released the following statement after the California Supreme Court blocked a ballot initiative that would have nullified the historic enactment of a law to provide a dedicated funding source for school safety and violence intervention programs. The ballot initiative, the so-called Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act, would have required two-thirds voter approval for all tax initiatives passed by the legislature, including AB 28, the Gun Violence Prevention and School Safety Act of 2023.
“Today’s decision by the California Supreme Court saves critical investments in public safety,” said Mike McLively, GIFFORDS Center for Violence Intervention Policy Director. “Last year, California passed AB 28, the Gun Violence Prevention and School Safety Act, a dedicated funding source for school safety and violence intervention, firearm homicide investigations, trauma-informed support services for mass shooting victims, and more. We commend Governor Newsom and California’s legislative leaders for calling the so-called Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act what it was: a callous, self-interested attempt to dodge taxes and end funding for lifesaving programs.”

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