Every few years Californians vote on bond measures to fund infrastructure projects and schools, fight homelessness, provide affordable mental health services, and other programs. With concern about climate change top of mind these days, Proposition 4 was placed on the ballot this November and would provide $10 billion for natural resource protections and climate change mitigation efforts. While there are also Federal programs that fund natural resource protections and responses to climate change, Prop 4 will specifically provide funding for state and local efforts.
According to the non-partisan Legislative Analyst's Office, the $10-billion bond sale would help fund the following (summarized and adapted from the LAO website):
Drought, Flood, and Water Supply ($3.8 billion)
These funds would help increase the amount and quality of water available for people to use ($1.9 billion), including storing water during future droughts and cleaning polluted water to make it safe to drink. The money would also help reduce the risk of floods by repairing dams and capturing and reusing stormwater ($1.1 billion). The rest of the money would go toward various activities, such as restoring rivers and lakes.
Forest Health and Wildfire Prevention ($1.5-billion)
Prop 4 funds would support activities to improve the health of forests and reduce the risk of severe and destructive wildfires, including thinning trees in overgrown forests and clearing vegetation near where people live. The money would also go for other activities, such as helping homeowners make their properties more resistant to wildfire damage.
Sea-Level Rise and Coastal Areas ($1.2-billion)
These funds would help pay for activities to restore coastal areas and protect them from the effects of rising sea levels, including restoring wetlands so they can serve as buffers to rising sea levels. Some of these funds would help improve ocean habitats and protect fish and other marine wildlife.
Land Conservation and Habitat Restoration ($1.2-billion)
Funds would go to protect and restore land for fish and wildlife. For example, it could support purchasing land to be set aside and not developed.
Energy Infrastructure ($850-million)
More than half of these funds would support the development of wind turbines off the California coast. Most of the remaining money would be spent on infrastructure such as transmission lines to carry electricity long distances. The rest of the money would pay for projects to build large batteries that store electricity to be used when needed.
Parks ($700-million).
The bulk of this money would support various activities that expand recreational opportunities at parks or reduce the impacts of climate change on parks ($300 million). These activities could include adding new trails and parking areas. Some of this money would provide grants to local communities to build new parks or renovate existing parks ($200 million). The rest of this money would be used to repair state parks and provide nature education ($200 million).
Extreme Heat ($450 Million)
Much of this money would pay for activities focused on protecting communities from extreme heat ($200 million). These activities could include adding trees and green spaces. The funds would also support places for people to go during heatwaves or disasters ($100 million). The rest of the money would be used to provide grants for local communities to conduct activities that provide environmental benefits, such as reducing air pollution ($150 million).
Farms and Agriculture ($300 Million)
Much of this money would be used for activities that encourage farmers to improve soil health, reduce air pollution, and use less water ($105 million). This money would also support community gardens and farmers' markets by purchasing shade canopies ($60 million). The rest of this money would support various other activities, such as buying vans to transport farmworkers and conserving farmland.
There are some conditions in Prop 4. At least 40% of the bond money must go to activities that benefit lower-income communities or those more vulnerable to climate change's impacts. Like most bond measures, Prop 4 requires regular reporting on how the money is spent.
Prop 4 bonds would be paid back with approximately $400 million in state taxes over 40 years. Some critics argue that the state would be better off prioritizing natural resource and climate change efforts for the long term without counting on occasional bond measures that increase debt. An East Bay Times and Mercury News editorial says that "Proposition 4 would dole out money to nearly 100 different programs. There's no sense of priorities or analysis of what would deliver the biggest bang for the buck."
Various environmental organizations across the state support Prop 4 passage, and the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association opposes it.
Replies