By Augusta Lewis, SanDiego350 intern
Election Results:
Proposition 1: Pass
Proposition 30: Fail
Measure B: Pass
Measure C: Pass
Measure D: Pass
SanDiego350 sent out a November 2022 Ballot Measure Recommendation email that stated SanDiego350’s positions on the state propositions and San Diego City ballot measures related to climate change, the environment, and social justice. California state proposition and San Diego City ballot measure results have now been certified. Here are how the SanDiego350 endorsed ballot measures and state propositions did in the November 8th election.
Measure B – PASSED 50.41% – Amend the People’s Ordinance to ensure equitable trash costs
SanDiego350 recommended a YES vote on San Diego City measure B and this measure PASSED. This measure will begin to charge homeowners for trash pick up who previously got this service for free. Before, renters and condo-owners had to pay for trash pickup while single family homes did not. This created an unequal distribution of cost for the service. Additionally, it will incentivize waste reduction which will help the city meet its composting and zero waste goals outlined in their Climate Action Plan.
Measure C – PASSED 51.13% – Lift the 30-food coastal height limit in the Midway District
SanDiego350 recommended a YES vote on San Diego City measure C and this measure PASSED. This measure will amend the San Diego Municipal Code to exempt the Midway Pacific Highway Community Plan Area from the existing 30-foot height limit on buildings in the coastal zone. This measure does not specifically approve a development project; however, the City Council has already approved a development plan for this area that includes thousands of affordable homes, commercial and retail space, good-paying jobs, a modern Sports Arena, and public parks. This measure will provide affordable housing to low and middle income families and increase urban density which facilitates transit use and energy efficiency.
Measure D – PASSED 57.72% – Allow San Diego to use Project Labor Agreements for construction projects
SanDiego350 recommended a YES vote on San Diego City measure D and this measure PASSED. This measure will amend the San Diego Municipal Code to allow the City to use Project Labor Agreements (collective bargaining agreements between unions and contractors that determine conditions of employment on construction projects). Previously, the City prohibited (with some exceptions) from requiring a contractor to enter into a PLA which goes against state law. As a result, the City lost out on significant state funding for construction projects to fix roads and improve safety. The passage of this measure will open the city to state funding and will increase transparency by requiring reporting on City construction contracts valued at over $10,000.
State Proposition 1 – PASSED – Protect reproductive rights in the California Constitution
SanDiego350 recommended a YES vote on state proposition 1 and this proposition PASSED. This means that the California Constitution will be amended to ensure that the state cannot deny or interfere with a person’s reproductive rights. The right to reproductive freedom already existed in California because the California Supreme Court found that the right to privacy in the California Constitution includes the right to make reproductive choices. After the recent overturning of Roe v. Wade, the right to abortion is no longer protected by the US Constitution. The passing of this state proposition means that now the California Constitution explicitly protects reproductive freedom including the choice to get an abortion or use contraception.
Proposition 30 – FAILED – Increase taxes on the wealthy to subsidize EVs
SanDiego350 remained neutral on Proposition 30 and this proposition failed. Prop 30 would have increased personal income taxes on people who make over $2 million a year by 1.75%. 80% of those funds would have been used to subsidize the purchase of new zero-emission vehicles and charging infrastructure, with half these funds benefiting people who live in or near heavily polluted areas and low-income communities. 20% of the total revenue would have been spent on wildfire response and prevention.
SanDiego350 was neutral on this proposition because although it supported the proposition’s focus on subsidies for zero-emissions vehicles, charging infrastructure, and wildfire response and prevention, many in our organization felt that there was not enough focus on public transportation. 20% of San Diegans cannot afford a vehicle, so even with subsidies those people will not be able to afford an electric vehicle. SanDiego350 believes that EVs alone cannot eliminate the carbon emissions from the transportation sector, so there has to be more funding to make public transportation accessible and convenient. Additionally, because the California Constitution limits state spending, requiring that these funds are spent on EV subsidies could have resulted in cuts to other crucial programs, such as education. Because of these concerns, SanDiego350 did not feel comfortable fully endorsing Proposition 30 and chose to remain neutral.
California Environmental Voters, one of the organizations endorsing prop 30, issued a statement about what the next steps will be after the proposition’s failure. The organization is now looking to Governor Newsom and the Legislature to pass legislation that will help California reach its climate goals. They stated, “Now, we have to all look to Governor Newsom and the Legislature for an aggressive vision and plan on how California will fund this necessary transition… We need massive and necessary climate investments through the state budget next year–and every year–to give us even a fighting chance.”
Join SanDiego350’s Legislative Team!
The SanDiego350 Legislative team creates voting recommendation blogs, endorses certain environmental legislation, and also lobbies current local, state, and national legislation relating to the environment, climate change, and social/environmental justice issues. The team meets with legislators, analyzes legislation, and provides resources for members and the community. If you would like to join the team, please contact Denika Tamayo at denika@sandiego350.org