California Ballot Measure Recommendations
Published by the Natural Resources Defense Fund
Californians: As you mark your ballot either through early voting, or when you go to the polls on November 8, please vote to protect the environment and public health. Below are NRDC’s recommendations.
This measure would extend tax rates on the highest income earners, first approved by Proposition 30 in 2012. NRDC supported Prop 30 to improve the state’s overall fiscal health and stability. Maintaining tax rates on the highest income earners, as Prop. 55 does, will prevent cuts to our schools and ensure that critical environmental and public health programs continue.
Prop. 56 would increase the cigarette tax by $2.00 per pack, as well as an equivalent increase on other tobacco products and electronic cigarettes containing nicotine. This measure will improve public health by funding smoking cessation programs and preventing teen smoking. It will also fund research into cancer and other tobacco-related diseases.
This measure was put on California’s ballot by out of state plastic bag companies in an attempt to interfere with efforts to reduce plastic pollution. It would direct funding from the sale of paper bags to a state fund, but the money is a drop in the bucket and will decrease over time as people adjust to bringing reusable bags. The San Jose Mercury News called Proposition 65 one of the most disingenuous ballot measures in state history.
Prop. 67 would restore the state’s plastic bag ban, originally signed into law two years ago but blocked soon after by the same out of state plastic bag companies. Prop. 67 would restore the plastic bag ban and allow stores to continue offering recycled-content paper bags to customers for a small 10-cent fee. Learn more here and see NRDC’s California facebook video here.
In addition, if you live in Monterey County, NRDC supports Measure Z to prohibit fracking and protect clean water.
If you live in Los Angeles County, NRDC supports Measure A for parks, beaches and open spaces. We also support Measure M for sustainable transportation and clean air.
Finally, if you live in the City of Los Angeles, NRDC is supporting Measures HHH and JJJ for affordable housing and the environment.
Read the full article at: https://www.nrdc.org/experts/victoria-rome/california-ballot-measure-recommendations
