Comment by tzs

They raised the monetary amount that would push a crime from a misdemeanor to a felony. They raised it from $400 to $950.

This was widely touted in conservative circles as practically legalizing shoplifting since prosecution is less likely for misdemeanors.

The raise moves California from the 2nd lowest threshold (New Jersey is $200) to the 10th lowest. The states with the highest thresholds, and therefore the most pro-shoplifting according to conservative logic, are:

  $2500 Texas and Wisconsin
  $2000 Colorado, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina
  $1500 Alabama, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland,
        Montana, Nebraska, Rhode Island and Utah