Newsom signs controversial bill on solicitation of minors
The new law will allow prosecutors to charge suspects who are at least three years older than the minor they solicit for sex with a felony instead of a misdemeanor on a first offense — often called a 'wobbler' since prosecutors have discretion. The provision targets older 'johns' and avoids charging all younger offenders with a felony.
All minors under 16 and those 18 who are victims of human trafficking are already considered wobbler cases under existing law.
The bill, AB 379, ran into controversy in the spring when Democrats forced amendments to Assemblymember Maggy Krell's (D-Sacramento) bill in committee, arguing that allowing prosecutors to choose whether to charge an offender with a felony or a misdemeanor on a first offense could potentially harm victims.
Newsom joined with a chorus of Republican and public pushback to the change, an uncommon move before a bill hits his desk. 'The law should treat all sex predators who solicit minors the same — as a felony, regardless of the intended victim's age,' Newsom said in a statement. 'Full stop.'
Democrats had other concerns about a provision of the new law that would make it a misdemeanor to loiter with the intent to purchase commercial sex, arguing that it could potentially be used to target minorities and the poor.
'When laws are vague, they are ripe for profiling,' Assemblymember LaShae Sharp-Collins (D-San Diego) said when the bill passed the Assembly in May, after legislators struck a deal to add the three-year stipulation.
The new law also creates a survivors support fund, to be backed by increased fines for offenders and hoteliers who do not report sex trafficking on their premises.
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Senator Jason Esteves wants to be the next Democratic governor, and win Savannah's vote
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'We win by going across this state, not just in blue cities and blue counties, but red towns and red counties too,' he said. 'By talking to people about how we are going to keep and grow the money in their pocket.' Big promises for small businesses Esteves wears hats that may position him well to a variety of voters. He is a lawyer, business owner of an urgent care and two breakfast restaurants and a former middle school social science public school teacher. Still, his political stint has been a relatively recent endeavor as the state Democratic Party treasurer since 2019, and the District 35 Senator since 2023, representing Douglas and parts of Fulton County. Still, Esteves was confident enough to throw in the first Democratic chip for governor in April. And it appears that the new kid can also throw some punches. 'We deserve to have a governor that is going to invest as much in our small businesses as our governor today invests in a company like Hyundai,' said Esteves. 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Last Sunday I asked: Do you agree with the county commission proposal to loosen the restrictions regarding backyard chickens? Results: Yes: 63.34 Percent No: 36.66 Percent Here's what you had to say: Chickens should be raised on a farm designed for them. -- Allen Halber The rising prices of eggs may make raising your own chickens seem appealing, but I have absolutely no interest in doing so because I am fully aware of what it entails. Chickens demand daily care — feeding, watering, and constant coop cleaning. They are undeniably messy creatures, and their droppings attract pests like rodents. Trust me, you definitely don't want to walk barefoot where chickens roam; they lay more than just eggs. Plus you can kiss your grass goodbye unless you have them penned up because they love to scratch in the dirt. Additionally, we must remain vigilant against predators such as hawks, owls, raccoons, and even domestic animals that have an eye for chickens, just like my husband does—only they don't require any cooking. I sincerely hope my neighbors don't decide to get the permitted six chickens. Not only would I have to deal with an influx of predators, but let's not overlook the foul smell and the potential diseases that come with them. So yes, I firmly oppose the idea of allowing wannabe chicken farmers within city limits—especially in my neighborhood. -- Marcie Sizemore Ramirez I have 4 beautiful hens in my backyard and they bring great charm and beautiful eggs to my Cocoa Beach home. I always bring their food into my florida room at night, to keep the predators away. Lessening the restrictions in communities is only a win for Brevard! -- Lisa Catledge My complaint is about neighbors in upscale unincorporated areas (I'm in Indialantic), and they do have roosters from some of the eggs hatching unnoticed. Part of the issue. I think minimum of 1-2 acres would be better. -- Ed Palmer There were chickens and a goose across our back fence when we lived in Melbourne Village, and I liked the homey feeling they gave the neighborhood. I liked hearing the rooster crow but realized that it might have disturbed some sleepers. I smiled whenever I heard a hen "cackle" when she laid an egg: "Look what I did!" she was proclaiming. I also liked being able to buy fresh eggs from the owner, but that's not on the table in this issue. I think it's good for people to be reminded where our food comes from. It's not created out of thin air. It's grown, somehow, somewhere. -- Margaret Broussard I think everyone should be allowed to have chickens i would have to say that my chicken i am on a limit of 6 where I live and I only have 4 but they are so much more than just egg providers and if given love and attention as they are growing they can be as loving as a dog or cat. They have unique individual personalities and can ve man's best friend. Im sure not everyone will be on my team here but if u dont agree thats opinions are like buttholes everyone has one yet no need to act as tho you are one.... anyway it is just my opinion as long as they are properly cared for and the cage cleaned out and the poop disposed of somehow then there isnt an issue I live in a field and have had chickens for 2 years never had a snake in my yard or a rat not ever . So they dont always invite pests if cared for properly. -- Julie James I think all citizens should have the right to live in a more self sustaining way no matter where they live. -- Abigail Page I believe they should allow us to keep chickens, more than 6 to be honest! We all need to learn how to be self-motivated to grow your own food. There is too much government control, too many lazy people depending on a system set up to make the rich richer. We need to go back farming. We can still relax on our garden area we set up and sip whiskey all we want. You enjoy something someone else provides, why not enjoy something you can provide for your self with help and high prices for food God put on this earth for us. -- DeJuan Smith Kids are so disconnected from where food comes from that it's a good learning experience. My kids and grandkids love picking up eggs and knowing on sight which chickens laid which eggs. Chicken eggs from free range chickens have less cholesterol and taste SO much better than mass produced eggs. Chickens are funny and interesting and can be quite breed research. If you grow tired of them, call a feed store, unlike excess cats, someone will be happy to take them. -- Trish Lynch People living in an HOA should not be permitted to raise chickens. Outside of an HOA and in unincorporated Brevard ― such as Grant ― rules allow for a lot of animals, chickens included. -- Julin Lynn Without a large area to provide the range they need and distance from other nearby neighbors to keep the noise and smell at a distance. Properties are often built close together so how do you determine (without an ordinance) what is too close? Who's going to police this? I vote no. Unless you can provide more restrictions. Each chicken will lay one egg per day. Even with 3 chickens that's a lot of eggs 21 per week. A lot of omelets. Chicken poo does smell. 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You will discover that purchasing eggs is generally far more economical. -- Ted Hunt If this were not so funny it would be pathetic. I have some experience in this. It is nigh impossible to figure out a baby chicken's sex. So, you order your 6-chicks ― ask for hens and … whoops one of those chicks ends up being a rooster. But until the waddle and comb develop you think they are all female. Now comes the challenge. What do you do with the noise? Hens are really noisy but a rooster!! Yikes, in my neighbor's yard? Did you want to meet your local racoon or fox or bobcat ― just raise chickens! Unless you have lots of acreage this is a bad idea. BTW, if you've ever been to Key West you know these hens actually can fly into trees! I hope my subdivision has a by-law concerning chickens! -- Laura Petruska Great decision. Everybody should have chickens. They produce, are fun to be around, eat scraps, can be trained, give kids some worthwhile are a win-win-- Robert "Bob" Socks Contact Torres at jtorres@ You can follow him on X @johnalbertorres Multimedia editor Rob Landers contributed to this report. Support local journalism and become a subscriber. Visit This article originally appeared on Florida Today: This week's Question of the Week concerns Florida's Democratic party Solve the daily Crossword
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Republican primaries for two state Senate seats set for Tuesday, Aug. 5. What to know
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