THE BUZZ: PLAYBOOK EXCLUSIVE — Sacramento Democrats have been working to prevent a rigid tough-on-crime ballot measure from making it to voters in November, offering an alternative through bills on topics like drug use and retail theft. That may be starting to resonate with big city mayors who have appeared supportive of the ballot initiative idea, according to an exclusive interview with San Diego’s Todd Gloria and Fresno’s Jerry Dyer. “I think every single one of us wants to see change on this issue. And what I heard [this week] is a recognition from both houses and the executive branch that change has to come, ” Gloria, a former assemblymember, told Playbook during a visit to Sacramento. “So the pendulum is swinging.” Both houses of the state Legislature have recently introduced sprawling packages in response to increasing complaints from voters and business owners. That includes a suite of bills this month from Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas that would make it easier for police to make certain arrests; establish a “serial” theft offense; and tweak the definition of grand theft, which can be a felony. Senate Pro Tem Mike McGuire shared a similar package in February. Both leaders have said they want to address crime through new legislation, but like Gov. Gavin Newsom, have stopped short of supporting the ballot measure to amend Prop 47, which in 2014 downgraded some crimes from felonies to misdemeanors. Mayor Gloria indicated he could be persuaded by the legislative efforts. Though he’s not necessarily rejecting support for the ballot effort, Gloria said he’s hopeful the Legislature will crack down on low-level crimes, signaling a shift since he first backed “revisiting” Prop 47 in January’s State of the City address. Even Republican Mayor Dyer — a former police chief who also backs the Prop 47 changes — said the right legislation could serve as a bargaining chip to find compromise between proponents of the initiative and Sacramento skeptics. “If the legislature can come together on a meaningful bill and get it on the governor's desk sooner rather than later, that also could serve to give them some leverage,” Dyer said. While neither mayor ultimately has a say in what moves forward, getting big names to drop their support could help tilt the scales away from the ballot measure campaign, or help broker a compromise. But even if the Legislature makes progress, Gloria wants to see speed and bills with “teeth” before deciding whether to continue advocating for changes to Prop 47. “We shouldn't have to wait until November and if waiting until November results in a failure at the ballot box, that would be even more unacceptable,” Gloria said. Still, those running the initiative — which has racked up enough signatures to likely make the ballot — have said they are unmoved by the bills. “While the proposed legislative bills are a step in the right direction, much more needs to be done to effectively hold individuals accountable and improve the safety of all Californians,” The Californians for Safer Communities Coalition wrote in a statement about Rivas’ package. “Because of the way Proposition 47 was written, we believe that voter approval is required for any new enforcement or accountability enhancements.” Gloria said during his visit with Sacramento leaders he saw glimmers of hope that the bills will move through the Senate and Assembly without being “gutted” like in years past, but that he will “wait and see” whether any signed laws are sufficient. “The question then will become ‘will that be enough? Do we need more,’” Gloria added, noting that there could be “compromise” between the anti-Prop 47 crowd and the state’s top Democrats. GOOD MORNING. Happy Thursday. Thanks for waking up with Playbook. Now you can text us at 916-562-0685 — save it as “CA Playbook” in your contacts now. Or drop us a line at lkorte@politico.com and dgardiner@politico.com, or on X — @DustinGardiner and @Lara_Korte. WHERE’S GAVIN? In Yolo County to announce a major milestone in the state’s effort to achieve 100 percent clean electricity by 2045. | 
