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 Rivers like the San Joaquin are popular recreation spots, supporting tourism, boating, fishing and other industries. The San Joaquin River also provides water for much of the agriculture in Central Valley.
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Environment California has taken a position on several of the initiatives that will appear on the November 7 ballot. Here are our recommendations.
Proposition 87: The clean energy initiative
Environment California recommends a YES vote. Prop. 87 will reduce gasoline and diesel usage by 25 percent over 10 years. It does this by providing cash rebates to consumers who buy cleaner, alter-native fuel vehicles and incentives for renewable energy technol-ogy development. It expands the use of solar and wind power and other renewable fuels and renewable technologies. This program is funded by a tax on the producers of oil extracted in California. This measure prohibits producers from passing tax on to consumers.
Proposition 89: The clean money initiative
Environment California recommends a YES vote. Prop. 89 would help reduce the influence of corporate campaign contributions on elected officials. It will help to decrease the use of the ballot ini-tiative as a vehicle for big business to enact legislation, and help restore the initiative to its original purpose as an expression of the people’s will.
The proposed initiative would allow candidates who garner a substantial number of small contributions and agree not to accept PAC (Political Action Committee) money, to receive full public financing of their campaign. States that have adopted the “Clean Money” system have seen lower overall campaign spending, candi-dates freed from around the clock fundraising, and increased voter turnout.
Proposition 90: The taxpayer trap initiative
Environment California recommends a NO vote. Prop. 90 will require billions of dollars in new payouts any time a law or regula-tion is passed to protect our neighborhoods, limit overdevelopment, protect air and water quality, or restrict undesirable businesses. That’s because the measure contains a hidden provision that allows virtually anyone to sue claiming a new law or regulation has impacted the value of their property or business—no matter how far-fetched the claim—and taxpayers will be on the hook to pay the bill.
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