How I’m voting for the environment on Nov. 7, 2006.
My vote on Prop 84: YES
Prop 84’s a $5.4 billion bond to improve drinking water, provide flood control, conserve our open spaces, green our urban areas, and clean up our water — including our beaches.
Sez the CLVC (California League of Conservation Voters): “Current funding for natural resources and environmental protection programs is critically low. In fact, funding for resources makes up less than 1% of the overall state budget. Prop. 84 will help our investment in infrastructure keep pace with our population growth”
The LA Times critiques Prop 84 a bit, saying it was written by a “Sacramento lobbyist,” Joe Caves. But who did the guy write it for? Big Sur Land Trust, California State Parks Foundation, National Audubon Society, the Nature Conservancy and the Peninsula Open Space Trust in Menlo Park. That, to me, is a damn good client list. The Sierra Club too wants you to vote yes.
In fact, most politicians support this prop, including top Dems AND Schwarzenegger. The LA Times sez there is no organized opposition raising money against Proposition 84.
So the challenge is making sure that the people who care ’bout the environment (more than paying less taxes any cost) show up to vote.
Update: There’s gonna be an LA Regional Workshop on Prop 84 this Thursday, Oct. 12 from 9:30 am - noon at the Los Angeles River Center and Gardens, 570 West Ave 26, Los Angeles. Go attend, ask Qs, and please report back for those of us who can’t make it –
Hi Siel
I was going to vote YES on Prop 84 until I read an article in the SM Daily Press abut the costs involved in it, what the money is actually going towards, and how much each homeowner was going to have to pay…about $76 per month om sewers that LA owns, not SM…do you know anything about the financial hit that everyone will take on this and if what I read was true?
Hope I can figure it all out before Nov7!
Thx
Comment by David — October 10, 2006 @ 5:33 pm
David — You’re in luck, cuz there’s gonna be an LA Regional Workshop on Prop 84 this Thursday, Oct. 12 from 9:30 am - noon at the Los Angeles River Center and Gardens, 570 West Ave 26, Los Angeles.
Unfortunately, I have to be at lecture from 10 am - noon that day, and can’t make it :( But perhaps you might be able to go, pose these Qs, and report back for us? Pretty please?
Comment by Siel — October 10, 2006 @ 8:59 pm
I wish I could have gone Siel, but work was calling.
I hope I learn more about this Prop, or I think I will have to vote no on this one!
Comment by David — October 13, 2006 @ 12:38 am
Too bad! I hope you’ll take the time to learn about the prop before voting — I mean, even if it really is $76 a month, I’d argue that that’s well worth the alternative — not having good clean water –
Comment by Siel — October 13, 2006 @ 7:39 pm