Yes on Proposition 30
Investments in fighting and preventing wildfires, and reducing carbon emissions and air pollution from vehicles
What is it?
Proposition 30 is an Initiative Statute which would fund investments in fighting and preventing wildfires and reduce climate emissions and air pollution from vehicles by subsidizing installation of electric vehicle charging infrastructure, hydrogen fueling infrastructure, and purchases of electric and other zero-emissions vehicles. This will be funded by a new 1.75% income tax on people earning more than $2 million per year.
Why is this on the ballot?
According to Article II, Section 8 of the California Constitution, citizens may introduce statutes (laws) by collecting signatures (5% of the votes cast in the most recent Governor's race). The statute must then be approved by voters with a simple majority of 50% + 1.
The campaign, primarily funded by Lyft, spent $8.5 million to collect enough signatures to get this on the ballot.
Fiscal impacts
Prop 30 will raise between $3.5 billion and $5 billion per year (growing over time) from the wealthiest Californians. Only incomes above $2 million per year will be taxed to fund this initiative. $2.8 billion to $4 billion of that would go toward zero emission vehicle programs, including electric vehicle charging stations. $700 million to $1 billion would go toward wildfire response and prevention — doubling the state budget for these programs.
- See "Fiscal Effects" section of the Legislative Analyst Office report (PDF)
Why vote Yes?
Proposition 30 will help California prepare for the reality of climate change by funding wildfire response and prevention, and helping California move away from fossil fuel.
On wildfires, Prop 30 doubles the budget for wildfire response and prevention. This will allow the state to hire, train, and retain firefighters across the state as well as perform wildfire prevention activities like prescribed burns.
On electic vehicles, Prop 30 helps fund the absolutely vital work to build and improve electric infrastructure so we can charge the fleet of the future. Electric vehicles are absolutely crucial for mitigating climate change, and that means we need to plan 30 years ahead to make sure the grid can handle it. In the past few years we've seen what happens when we let the grid stagnate, so let's learn from those mistakes and start fixing what needs fixing and building what needs building.
Prop 30 also gives subsidies to families to help them switch from gas cars to electric cars! California recently introduced a mandate that all cars sold in California must be electric by 2035 (that's only 13 years away!), and Prop 30 will help ensure even low-income families can switch without breaking the bank. Prop 30 will also make it more affordable for large organizations like school districts and transit agencies to replace their diesel vehicles with zero-emission trucks, buses, even tractors!
Some critics oppose Prop 30 because Lyft is the main funder and it will help Lyft transition its fleet from gas to electric cars. We think that's horribly cynical and irresponsible. If we save the Earth and a company saves a little money, that sounds like a win-win!