The PCL Insider: News From The Capitol

ELECTION TODAY - ACTION TOMORROW

Election Day is finally here! We hope you're wearing those "I VOTED" stickers with pride. Your participation in the electoral process is essential to restoring a healthy democracy. We can't expect our elected officials to represent our interests if we don't hold them accountable through the ballot box. Today is our chance to do just that. And with California voters deciding the fate of multi-billion dollar bond measures, choosing the make-up of the State and Federal government, and contemplating the most dangerous initiative of the past several decades (remember to vote "No" on Prop 90!) today's election puts tremendous power into the hands of the electorate to shape California's future.

So what happens tomorrow? Let's take a look at the bond measures – the largest package of bonds on a single ballot in California history – to see how they work and what we'll be doing if they pass.

Here's the process:

When voters pass a state bond measure they are authorizing the government to borrow a certain amount of money to spend on a list of items described in the bill language. Some bond measures list specific projects or criteria a project must meet to receive funds. Others describe broad categories for which the funds can be spent, leaving the tough decisions up to the lawmakers. In most cases, the State Legislature must pass additional legislation called "implementing language" to establish how the state bond money gets divided.

Meanwhile, the State Treasurer (generally after consulting with the Governor and the Legislature) will actually be in charge of how and when to market the bond, taking into account interest rates and other financial considerations. (The Treasurer actually has substantial power to determine state policy through the management of the State's funds. For example, the Treasurer can divest in countries with human rights problems or poor environmental practices and prioritize socially responsible investments).

As the bonds are sold, funds become available to pay for the projects authorized by the bond measure (and in any implementing legislation passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor). The State must eventually reimburse the bond holders the original amount of the bond plus interest.

Most of the bonds on this year's ballot will require additional implementing language. PCL is already preparing for this possibility and will be working hard with our allies in the coming months to ensure that projects that receive priority for funding meet strong environmental and public health criteria.

If the transportation bond (Prop 1B) passes, we'll be advocating for the Legislature to follow the following five principles, as specific expenditures are made:

- Road and highway expenditures should encourage smart growth and should not be used be used to subsidize more rural development and suburban sprawl.

- We should significantly increase our expenditures for buses and rail systems, and for other transportation systems that provide alternatives to the single-occupant automobile.

- Transportation expenditures that improve or increase capacity on roads and highways should be coupled with expenditures that ensure the permanent protection of the commercially productive agricultural lands and natural resource lands.

- Where transportation expenditures directly subsidize businesses, a "beneficiary pays" principle should be applied to recapture taxpayer dollars through appropriate user fees.

- Every expenditure on a new road and highway project should be accompanied by an effective strategy and expenditure plan to make certain that the adverse air and water quality impacts of that project are completely and permanently offset.

If the housing bond (Prop 1C) passes, we'll be working to make sure the bond's smart growth provisions are upheld, including infill and minimum density requirements, access to transit and other essential services, and inclusion of affordable housing units.

If the levee bond (Prop 1E) passes, we'll press to ensure that levee improvements are coupled with strong flood plain management, and result in integrated, multi-benefit projects that contribute to ecosystem and habitat restoration goals, including restoration, enhancement and water supply reliability for fisheries, wetlands and riparian habitats. 

Many of these priorities are detailed in the 10 Point Plan for an Infrastructure Bond, signed by over fifty environmental and public health organizations earlier this year. (Contact PCL to get a copy!)

You can see we've got our work cut out for us. That's why we need your help.

As you go to the polls today and follow the election results this evening, please make a commitment to stay involved in the political process this year. Think of it as a New Year's resolution to embrace civic engagement. ("This political session I will call my State Senator, educate my neighbors about important environmental policy issues, and come to Sacramento to learn how to lobby with PCL!"). With your support we can revive California's democracy and create a more livable, healthier state for all Californians.

Stay tuned for those election results!