Hey California voters! From the Presidential race on down the ballot, the upcoming election on November 5th is going to be important for the environment. EPIC has a couple recommendations for voters. (Note, we cannot endorse candidates or political parties as a 501c3 nonprofit.)
Vote NO on Measure F (Eureka): EPIC thinks that infill housing is good. We can increase our housing supply without converting our forests, fields and farms into more sprawl. And by locating housing near jobs and commercial spaces, we can make our communities more walkable and safer while also reducing greenhouse gasses. Win/win, right? Measure F threatens affordable housing in Eureka by creating a new “parking overlay zone” that would require onerous new parking requirements, making new housing in our urban area much more difficult to achieve.
Vote YES on Proposition 4: With each passing year, we learn how a changing climate can affect our lives. For most Californians there are two things that stand out – wildfires that are more frequent and more intense, and the long-term threat to our precious water supply. The longer we wait to act, the more severe the consequences will be and the more it will cost taxpayers to confront them. That is why it is essential that Californians vote YES on Proposition 4 on the Nov. 5 ballot. This Proposition would make investments now to stave off some of the worst effects of climate change. This farsighted ballot initiative would front-load projects to preserve our rivers and streams, recharge aquifers, reduce and treat contaminants in degraded groundwater, and otherwise protect our threatened water supply. With funding for land acquisition, restoration, dam removal, and sea level rise adaptation projects, we are more than certain that Prop 4 is necessary as we prepare to combat climate change in the years ahead.
Vote YES on Proposition 5: We want governments to be able to take on big challenges, whether that is upgrading critical infrastructure or investing in climate solutions. That work is often accomplished through bonds. Currently, California law requires a supermajority of the vote to pass a bond. Prop 5 adjusts that to 55% of the vote. Because we need to invest significantly to tackle climate change, we should make it easier to pass bonds do so.
Most importantly, get out and vote to make your voice heard! Find your polling place here.