VOTE NO

Summary:

Proposition 4 proposes issuing $10 billion in bonds to fund a variety of climate-related and environmental projects, including wildfire prevention, water infrastructure improvements, forest management, and coastal protection. Significant portions of the funds are earmarked for drinking water improvements ($3.8 billion), wildfire prevention and extreme heat mitigation ($1.95 billion), and land conservation efforts ($1.2 billion). The measure prioritizes low-income and climate-vulnerable communities, requiring that at least 40% of the bond revenue benefit these areas. However, the repayment of the bond would cost California approximately $400 million annually over the next 40 years, adding to the state’s existing debt.

Why We Do Not Support Proposition 4:

Thrive LA PAC opposes Proposition 4 due to concerns about increased long-term debt and the potential for inefficient use of bond funds. While addressing climate change and environmental issues is important, issuing $10 billion in bonds—without specific, clearly outlined projects—raises significant fiscal risks. Past environmental bonds have often failed to deliver tangible results, with large sums spent on studies rather than actionable projects. Adding another long-term financial obligation will cost California taxpayers for decades, diverting resources from other critical needs. Thrive LA PAC advocates for more immediate and targeted solutions to these challenges that do not burden the state’s future generations with unnecessary debt.