The PCL Insider: News From The Capitol

ELECTION NEARING – KEEP UP YOUR GREAT VOTING RECORD!

The November 7th election is fast approaching and it’s going to be an election you don’t want to miss. In addition to the candidate races, the ballot is packed with policy decisions that will influence California’s environment and budget for decades to come.

We’re confident that you will help make this election a success by showing up to the polls and educating your friends and neighbors. Why are we so sure? Over 70% of PCL members voted in all four of the last major elections, and 95% voted in the 2004 presidential election. In fact, the rate of voter turnout among PCL members is far above average for environmental organizations and leaps and bounds above the general population. Kudos to you!

Here’s more information on what’s on the ballot and what’s at sake:

Vote “NO” on Prop 90 – The “Taxpayer Trap” Initiative

California faces one of the most insidious attacks on environmental protection this year in the form of a stealth initiative presented as an effort to “save our homes.” Hard to believe? Here’s how it works. Proposition 90 would allow virtually anyone to sue over any new law simply by claiming that it caused a “significant economic loss” to their property. That means that taxpayers would be forced to pay to protect our coastline, clean up polluting factories, and institute smart growth measures. Faced with insurmountable costs, governments would simply give up trying to enact laws to protect public safety and the environment. The New York State “property rights” advocates who are funding this extreme measure need to be told that California won’t accept their veiled attempt to thwart good government policies. 

Vote “YES” on Prop 84 

This citizen’s initiative would provide $5.4 billion for clean water, parks and coastal protection. California’s spending on natural resource protection remains woefully inadequate, especially as our population grows. In fact, less than 1% of the overall state budget is devoted to natural resources. Proposition 84 makes a sound investment in our natural infrastructure, funding safe drinking water projects, protection of rivers and streams, park acquisition and other critical projects.

Vote “YES” on Prop 1C

California needs to substantially reform its land use policies, including the expansion of our affordable housing supply. Proposition 1C provides affordable housing opportunities to California’s working families while promoting mixed-use smart growth programs and transportation-oriented development. Passage of this $2.85 billion bond is essential to protecting and revitalizing our urban environments.

Vote “YES” on Prop 87

To break our addiction to foreign oil and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, California must invest in cleaner energy. And who better to pay for those investments than “Big Oil?” Proposition 87 would raise $4 billion through taxes on oil companies for research and incentives for alternative fuel development. The measure would also fund retrofits of old school buses and institute a $100 million workforce training program through California’s community colleges for oil industry workers who want to transition to clean industries.

Vote “YES” on Prop 89

California politics is poisoned by corporate campaign contributions. Every year businesses put millions of dollars behind candidates and campaigns expecting to receive favorable treatment in return. This pay-to-play system puts the environment and public health in perpetual danger.
 
This year voters have a chance to clean up California politics by passing Proposition 89, the Clean Money and Fair Elections Act. Prop 89 would allow candidates to receive public campaign funding provided by a .2% increase in corporate taxes. Prop 89 would also place new restrictions on corporate and lobbyist contributions. Once our elected officials are no longer beholden to corporate backers, they can once again serve as protectors of our broadly shared public values.

PCL has also endorsed two local open space initiatives that will appear on the ballot in Sonoma County and Napa County this November. These sorts of measures should be replicated in other parts of the state.

Vote “YES” on Sonoma County’s Measure F

Since its establishment in 1990, the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District (SCAPOSD) has preserved over 68,000 acres of scenic vistas, working farms, vineyards, riparian areas, natural resources and wildlife habitat. The first farmland and open space protection district created in the nation, SCAPOSD is one of the top five national programs of its kind today. To continue the tradition of preservation in Sonoma County, voters must pass Measure F to extend the ¼ cent sales tax that provides funding for SCAPOSD’s activities. 

Vote “YES” on Napa County’s Measure I

One hour north of the bustling San Francisco Bay Area, Napa County is blessed with a wealth of natural amenities and publicly owned land. Unfortunately thousands of acres of open space remain inaccessible and unknown to the general population. Measure I creates the Napa County Parks and Open Space District to conserve and protect water quality and wildlife habitat, increase nature based recreational opportunities, and manage parks so they are safe and accessible for all members of the community.

Please maintain the PCL tradition of strong voter turnout this November 7th. We're counting on you!