What Is Proposition 70? Voter Guide for 2018 California Measures

LOS ANGELES, CA — Proposition 70 would add a constitutional amendment requiring any plans to spend California's cap and trade revenue to garner a one-time supermajority or two-thirds vote in the legislature starting in 2024. If two thirds of the legislature can't agree on how to spend the money, it will sit in a reserve fund. If a spending bill isn't passed, the measure would also suspend a sales tax exemption affecting manufacturers, increasing revenue.

Ultimately, any measure that requires a supermajority vote increases the chance that the state's minority party - Republicans – would have a say in the matter. According to the Legislative Analyst's Office, the measure might not increase tax revenue at all, or, if the manufacturers' exemption is suspended, it could raise hundreds of millions of dollars annually.

The measure enjoys the support of the California Chamber of Commerce and Gov. Jerry Brown, but his own party and a plethora of environmental groups have come out against it.

The Argument For Proposition 70

The case for Proposition 70 is that it holds politicians accountable and prohibits them from diverting moeny to pet projects.

"It is essential that future climate change revenues continue to reduce emissions and provide benefits to all Californians," reads the official argument in support of the measure. "Proposition 70 provides a strong safeguard against any effort to undermine this goal. It forces two-thirds of the legislature to come together in 2024 to evaluate if the money has been spent wisely and beneficially for the good of all Californians."

The Argument Against Proposition 70

Critics of the proposal, which include the Democratic party and major environmental groups, contend that it would tie up funding to combat climate change at a time when the state needs to be investing in ways to cope with climate change. They call it a gift for the oil industry.

"Proposition 70 grew out of an oil industry-backed effort to derail the state’s premiere program to curb harmful air pollution," reads the official argument. According to the Los Angeles Times, the industry spent millions of dollars lobbying to water down California’s commitment to clean air policies that reduce our dependence on high-polluting fossil fuels. Proposition 70 will increase legislative gridlock, undermine our clean energy progress, and empower special interests who are out of step with the majority of Californians. It doesn’t deserve your support.

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