A huge coalition of 170 groups rallied in Sacramento on Wednesday May 22, pressing lawmakers to put a climate bond measure on California’s November ballot.
The bond measure would authorize the state to borrow $10 billion for projects to mitigate the effects of climate change.
Abraham Mendoza III, policy manager with the nonprofit Community Water Center in Sacramento, noted that California has suffered 46 extreme weather events – which each caused at least $1 billion in damage since 1980.
“We’ve had record wildfires in back-to-back years, followed by weather whiplash where we’re seeing flooding in areas that previously had drought,” said Mendoza. “And we know that this isn’t an anomaly. This is, unfortunately, the new reality and the future we need to prepare for.”
Opponents cite concerns about increasing the state’s debt during a time of budget deficits. Backers say a bond measure is necessary to protect the funding during tough budget years.
The Legislature is already considering two similar bills that would put the bond measure on the ballot.
If passed, the bond would be the largest voter-approved climate investment in U.S. history, and would send at least 40% to the most vulnerable communities.
Rosa Carrillo lives in a flood-prone farmworker housing community in Salinas. She said low-income families need protection before big storms hit again.
“The past year when the rains came, the entrance for our little community was flooded,” said Carrillo. “We had an elderly man that needed the ambulance, and the ambulance couldn’t go in because the roads were closed.”
The bond would fund projects to increase access to safe drinking water, promote renewable energy, restore wetlands, help farmers save water, and improve flood protection, increase wildfire resilience, and support air quality.
Lawmakers have until June 27 to pass a bill in order for the bond measure to qualify for the ballot.
Support for this reporting was provided by The Pew Charitable Trusts.
