Yes on Proposition 4
Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond
What is it?
Prop 4 is a $10 billion bond that allocates funding to these projects:
- $3.8 billion to safe drinking water, drought, flood, and water resilience programs
- $1.5 billion to wildfire and forest resilience programs
- $1.2 billion to sea level rise and coastal resilience programs
- $1.2 billion to biodiversity and nature-based climate solutions
- $850 million to clear air programs
- $700 million to park creation and outdoor access programs
- $450 million to extreme heat mitigation programs
- $300 million to climate-smart farms, ranches, and working lands programs
Though the bill will immediately go into effect, the implementation and disbursement of these funds are likely to be phased based on the readiness and requirements of specific projects under each category.
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Fiscal impacts
The estimated cost to an individual San Francisco taxpayer would be around $15 per year, or roughly $31 per household per year, depending on various tax brackets for SF residents. That's based on a total cost of $400 million per year for the next 40 years, paid for by the nearly 27 million Californians over 18.
Though this bond will not raise taxes, it will be paid out of the California general fund, which is taxpayer-funded.
- See "Fiscal Effects" section of the Legislative Analyst's Office report (PDF)
- See the Legislative Analyst's Office Overview of State Bond Debt
Why is this on the ballot?
Article XVI of the California Constitution mandates that debt exceeding $300,000 (including state bonds) be submitted to the public for a vote. Bonds must first be approved by a two-thirds majority of both houses of the state Legislature, and then by a simple majority of the voters.
- Authors: Benjamin Allen, Josh Becker, Eduardo Garcia, Lena Gonzalez, Monique Limon, Anthony Portantino, Henry Stern, Lori Wilson
- Co-authors: A slate of 22 other Democrats
- Placed on ballot by: Vote of both houses of the Legislature
- View vote details on leginfo
Why vote Yes?
California faces significant environmental threats.
According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, the state has seen an increase in the frequency and intensity of wildfires, with over 8,600 wildfires burning more than 4 million acres in 2020 alone. Additionally, the California State Water Resources Control Board reports that nearly a million Californians lack access to clean drinking water. Sea-level rise is also a pressing concern, with the Ocean Protection Council projecting a rise of up to 7 feet by 2100, threatening coastal communities and ecosystems.
These investments are necessary now. Prop 4 will fund programs for:
- Clean drinking water
- Wildfire and forest resilience
- Coastal protection from climate change
Vote YES on Prop 4 to safeguard lives and protect the future of California.