Yesterday, California voters were tasked with weighing in on Propositions 68 and Propositions 69 in addition to making their candidate selections for November’s general election. These measures needed only a simple majority to pass:
- Proposition 68, approved with 56% of the vote, will provide $4.1 billion in funding to various natural resources-related programs. California is facing severe droughts, wildfires and the impacts of a changing climate. This funding measure will help protect and improve the State’s water, parks and natural resource programs.
- Proposition 69, approved with 80% of the vote, ensures that the additional revenue allocated from SB 1 will only be able to be used for transportation improvement projects.
Each measure was designated to appear on the June ballot by the State Legislature. Proposition 68 was sponsored by State Senator Kevin de Leon (D-24) and easily cleared the legislature to receive the Governor’s signature last fall. Proposition 69 was part of the transportation funding package included in the Road Repair and Accountability Act (SB 1) passed in April 2017.
Californians may see an additional infrastructure measure on November’s ballot seeking the repeal of the gas tax increase. This measure is being driven by residents and requires the certification of over 300,000 valid signatures. We expect to see the result of the signature verification in the upcoming weeks.
Should the repeal make its way on the ballot, ASCE joins Fix Our Roads in urging a “no” vote on the repeal of the SB 1 gas tax increase. To learn more about how SB 1 dollars are currently being used in your community visit RebuildingCA.