A Latino congressman wants California voters to approve $10 billion to combat climate change

As many states battle the effects of climate change this year, California will have the opportunity to vote on the issue this November with Proposition 4.

The ballot measure would authorize $10 billion in general obligation bonds for water, wildfire prevention, and protection of communities and lands. Repaying the money would cost taxpayers $400 million a year over 40 years, a legislative analysis said, meaning taxpayers could spend nearly $16 billion in total.

The $10 billion proposal is broken down into 8 categories ranging from wildfire prevention to energy infrastructure. The largest sum, $3.8 billion, would go toward water projects. Roughly half of that amount, $1.9 billion, would go towards projects such as storing water for future droughts and cleaning contaminated water. $1.1 billion would help reduce the risk of floods by repairing dams and capturing and reusing stormwater. The rest of the money would be used for various activities, such as restoring rivers and lakes, according to the Legislative Analysts Office.

Latino congressman Eduardo Garcia (CA-26) recently spoke at a digital press conference run by the Yes on Prop 4 campaign, where he discussed why he wants voters to approve $10 billion in bonds to combat climate change. “This investment is critical to communities of color,” said Garcia at the press briefing, “particularly Latino communities up and down the State of California that have seen disproportionate impacts related to extreme heat, the drought, and the wildfires.”

Opponents, such as the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, criticize the measure and claim that bonds are the most expensive way to fund government spending. They claim that water and wildfire mitigation are necessities not luxuries, and should be budgeted for rather than bonded. “It’s reckless to use costly borrowed money to pay for unproven programs,” argued Senate Minority Leader Brian W. Jones, Assemblyman Jim Patterson, and Jon Coupal in the General Election Voter Information Guide.

Transportation remains California's number one source of climate pollution accounting for around 40% of the state's atmospheric pollution. Through the legislative process, Newsom approved over $1.9 billion in 2023 with Senate Bill 125 to support public transportation throughout the state to tackle the problem. Prop 4 does not budget for transportation-related emissions.

Many California farms continue to use toxic chemicals that have been scientifically proven to negatively impact the health of farm workers, who are predominantly Latine, and contaminate water and soil health. The measure spends the least on sustainable farming and agriculture practices, totaling $300 million.

The number one cause of climate change globally is burning fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and gas. In 2021, Newsom signed an executive order that would stop approving new oil fracking in the state by this year which will help to reduce water pollution and greenhouse gas statewide. Prop 4 does budget $850 million toward energy infrastructure, largely to support the development of wind turbines off the California coast. The clean and renewable energy source is a step towards reducing greenhouse gas. The measure proposal is unclear on how long it will take to build the turbines or how many will be built.

Governor Gavin Newsom and the Legislature approved a $54.3 billion spending package called the California Climate Commitment in 2022 to combat the issue. However, they had to scale it back to $44.6 billion this year due to budget overspending.

Proponents say this issue can’t wait for the legislative process and that Prop 4 is the best solution. “The changing climate and the impact on people and communities isn't waiting,” says Garcia, “This is a matter of urgency.”