2018 California Proposition 68 facts for kids
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| Natural Resources Bond | |||||||||||||||||||
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California Proposition 68 was a plan that appeared on the ballot in California in June 2018. It was also known as the Natural Resources Bond. This plan asked voters if the state should borrow $4.1 billion. This money would be used for important projects across California. These projects included improving parks, protecting the environment, and making water systems better. It also aimed to help prevent floods.
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What Was Proposition 68 About?
Proposition 68 was a way for the State of California to get money for big projects. It planned to borrow $4.1 billion by selling "municipal bonds." Think of bonds like a loan. People or groups buy these bonds, lending money to the state. The state then pays them back over time, plus a little extra money called interest.
What Did It Want to Fund?
The money from Proposition 68 was planned to be used in different ways:
- Protecting Nature - $1.547 billion
- This money would help state groups that work to save nature. It would also protect wildlife.
- Some funds would prepare California for climate change and protect natural homes for animals.
- Money would also go to protecting the ocean and coastlines.
- Improving rivers and waterways was another goal.
- Parks and Fun Places - $1.283 billion
- A large part would go to building or improving parks in neighborhoods that don't have many.
- Other funds would help local and regional parks.
- State parks would get money for repairs, keeping them safe, and protecting them.
- Some money would also be used for trails, green spaces, and outdoor fun in rural areas.
- Water Projects - $1.27 billion
- A big part of this money was for flood protection. This helps keep communities safe from floods.
- Funds would also clean up groundwater and refill underground water supplies.
- Making sure people have safe drinking water was also a goal.
- Finally, some money would be used for water recycling projects. This means treating used water so it can be used again.
How Much Would It Cost?
The total cost to the public was estimated to be about $7.8 billion. This includes the $4.1 billion borrowed plus the interest paid back over time. This would work out to about $200 million paid back each year for forty years.
The Campaign: Who Was For and Against?
When a proposition is on the ballot, people and groups often campaign to tell others to vote "yes" or "no."
Supporters of Proposition 68
State Senator Kevin de León wrote Proposition 68. People who supported it, the "Yes" campaign, mostly talked about how it would improve parks. They said California had not spent enough money on parks and environmental projects in poorer areas for many years. Supporters spent over $9 million to promote the "Yes" vote.
Who Endorsed "Yes"?
Many important people and groups supported Proposition 68:
- Jerry Brown, who was the Governor of California at the time.
- Gavin Newsom, who was the Lieutenant Governor of California at the time.
- Antonio Villaraigosa, a former mayor of Los Angeles.
- The League of California Cities, a group representing cities in California.
- Major newspapers like the Los Angeles Times and The Sacramento Bee.
- Environmental groups like the Outdoor Industry Association and Save the Redwoods League.
Opponents of Proposition 68
People who were against Proposition 68 mainly argued that the state should not borrow more money. They believed that parks and environmental projects should be paid for using the state's regular budget, called the "general fund." They also pointed out that even though the "Yes" campaign focused on parks, less than one-third of the money would actually go to parks and recreation.
Who Endorsed "No"?
Some people and groups who opposed Proposition 68 included:
- John Moorlach, a State Senator.
- Andrea Seastrand, a former member of the U.S. House of Representatives.
- Jon Coupal, who was the President of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.
- The Peace and Freedom Party, a political group.
- The Chico Enterprise-Record, a newspaper.
The Results: Did It Pass?
On election day, voters had to decide if they wanted the state to borrow money for these projects.
What Did "Yes" and "No" Mean?
- A "yes" vote meant you agreed that the state could sell $4.1 billion in bonds. This money would fund programs for nature, parks, and water.
- A "no" vote meant you did not want the state to sell these bonds for those projects.
How Did California Vote?
In the end, Proposition 68 passed! There were 3,808,000 "yes" votes and 2,831,899 "no" votes. This meant that 57.35% of voters approved the plan.
