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As we have mentioned in previous eNews articles, the November 5, 2024 election will be full of state and local ballot measures for your review and consideration. We have written about Proposition 36 and our local Measures X (Scotts Valley Business Tax) and Measure Y (Capitola Sales Tax). Let’s turn to state Proposition 4 (SB 867, authored by Senator Allen), which is entitled Safe Drinking Water, Wildlife Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024. Now, that is a mouthful to repeat. The other is local ballot Measure Q, Santa Cruz County Water and Wildlife Protection Initiative. Both the state and local measures have similar purposes. Measure Q ballot question reads, “Shall voters enact an ordinance to fund projects to protect drinking water sources, rivers, creeks, streams, groundwater resources, beaches, and parks, reduce catastrophic wildfire risks, and preserve native wildlife, habitats, working lands, and agriculture, by levying $87 per parcel per year, raising approximately $7.3 million annually, with citizens' oversight, annual reports, public spending disclosure, and all money distributed locally, until ended by voters?” The Yes on Measure Q states that our communities have been threatened by more and more extreme wildfires. Drought and pollution are growing threats to our local natural water resources. The $87 parcel tax per year is seen as a funding option to protect and maintain our water and wildlife. The Summary Arguments for Measure Q: Vote YES on Measure Q: - Protect Water Quality: Safeguard natural water sources, including rivers, creeks, streams, and the surrounding areas, to reduce pollution, trash, plastics, and toxic chemicals. - Protect Natural Water Sources: Protect areas where rainfall replenishes our natural water supply to secure clean water reserves for future droughts. - Reduce Wildfire Risks: Reduce catastrophic wildfire risks by removing hazardous overgrown brush, conducting prescribed burns, and creating critical shaded fire breaks—and help our forests recover from recent fires. - Keep Beaches Clean and Protect Marine Life: Prevent pollution and trash from reaching our local beaches and the ocean. - Preserve Wildlife Habitats: Safeguard local forests, wetlands, and wildlife habitats, ensuring these ecosystems remain vibrant and healthy amidst threats like droughts and climate change. The Argument against Measure Q states, “Now, the proponents coined the “Water and Wildfire Measure” in its media displays, which plays on your emotions—it is misleading and irresponsible branding.” “These funds are managed by County Departments, approved by County Supervisors, with an advisory board appointed by the County Supervisors and Cities – it's not “independent transparent oversight.” There is no guarantee that any funds will be spent to reduce wildfire risks or distributed to fire agencies best suited as subject matter experts to conduct wildfire resilience and fuel reduction projects. There is no way to prevent the County, charged with managing the revenues, from supplanting ongoing County Operating Expenses with Measure Q funding.” There appears to be strong opinions on behalf of the Yes on Measure Q campaign that the funds will be - Directed to protect water quality, - Protect natural water resources, - Reduce wildfire risks, - Protect forests, - Keep beaches clean, - Protect marine life - And preserve wildlife habitats. The Opponents of Measure Q, the Santa Cruz County Fire Chiefs’ Association, do not support this measure because it does not directly contribute to wildfire risk reduction nor directly fund all local fire agencies responsible for wildfire risk reduction. The Fire Chiefs struggle with: - The governance structure places decision-making in the hands of Santa Cruz County departments, which will themselves be competing for funding. - Direct fiscal apportionment to the County and cities but nothing to fire agencies best positioned to reduce wildfire risk in the county's unincorporated areas. - The advisory board serves 4-year terms and no more than two terms. But it can be extended indefinitely by the appointed agency. - How will this tax apply to every non-exempt parcel in the county regardless of income capacity? The Proponents are receiving endorsements from state, local public sector, and community leaders — the list reads like a who's who of Santa Cruz County. The Opponents are listed as the Santa Cruz County Fire Chiefs Association. Let’s see where this local initiative lands on Nov. 5th. Proposition 4 (SB 867) establishes the Safe Drinking Water, Wildlife Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024. “Prop. 4, if approved by voters, would authorize the issuance of bonds in the amount of $10 billion pursuant to the State General Obligation Bond Law to finance projects for safe drinking water, drought, flood and water resilience, wildlife and forest resilience, coastal resilience, extreme heat mitigation, biodiversity and nature-based climate solutions, climate-smart sustainable and resilient farms, ranches, working lands, park creation and outdoor access and clean air programs.” https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/ballot-measures/pdf/sb867.pdf The question for Santa Cruz County is to understand if Measure Q and Prop. 4 receive voters' approval, will the local measure be eligible for Prop 4 funding projects to augment the local funds. There is no question that wildfires, floods, and sea rise are increasing because of climate change and other natural disasters. Prop 4 and Measure Q combined can complement local efforts to address a resilient community. Let’s see if voters agree.
As we have mentioned in previous eNews articles, the November 5, 2024 election will be full of state and local ballot measures for your review and consideration. We have written about Proposition 36 and our local Measures X (Scotts Valley Business Tax) and Measure Y (Capitola Sales Tax).
Let’s turn to state Proposition 4 (SB 867, authored by Senator Allen), which is entitled Safe Drinking Water, Wildlife Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024. Now, that is a mouthful to repeat. The other is local ballot Measure Q, Santa Cruz County Water and Wildlife Protection Initiative. Both the state and local measures have similar purposes.
Measure Q ballot question reads, “Shall voters enact an ordinance to fund projects to protect drinking water sources, rivers, creeks, streams, groundwater resources, beaches, and parks, reduce catastrophic wildfire risks, and preserve native wildlife, habitats, working lands, and agriculture, by levying $87 per parcel per year, raising approximately $7.3 million annually, with citizens' oversight, annual reports, public spending disclosure, and all money distributed locally, until ended by voters?” The Yes on Measure Q states that our communities have been threatened by more and more extreme wildfires. Drought and pollution are growing threats to our local natural water resources. The $87 parcel tax per year is seen as a funding option to protect and maintain our water and wildlife.
The Summary Arguments for Measure Q:
Vote YES on Measure Q:
- Protect Water Quality: Safeguard natural water sources, including rivers, creeks, streams, and the surrounding areas, to reduce pollution, trash, plastics, and toxic chemicals.
- Protect Natural Water Sources: Protect areas where rainfall replenishes our natural water supply to secure clean water reserves for future droughts.
- Reduce Wildfire Risks: Reduce catastrophic wildfire risks by removing hazardous overgrown brush, conducting prescribed burns, and creating critical shaded fire breaks—and help our forests recover from recent fires.
- Keep Beaches Clean and Protect Marine Life: Prevent pollution and trash from reaching our local beaches and the ocean.
- Preserve Wildlife Habitats: Safeguard local forests, wetlands, and wildlife habitats, ensuring these ecosystems remain vibrant and healthy amidst threats like droughts and climate change.
The Argument against Measure Q states,
“Now, the proponents coined the “Water and Wildfire Measure” in its media displays, which plays on your emotions—it is misleading and irresponsible branding.”
“These funds are managed by County Departments, approved by County Supervisors, with an advisory board appointed by the County Supervisors and Cities – it's not “independent transparent oversight.” There is no guarantee that any funds will be spent to reduce wildfire risks or distributed to fire agencies best suited as subject matter experts to conduct wildfire resilience and fuel reduction projects. There is no way to prevent the County, charged with managing the revenues, from supplanting ongoing County Operating Expenses with Measure Q funding.”
There appears to be strong opinions on behalf of the Yes on Measure Q campaign that the funds will be
- Directed to protect water quality,
- Protect natural water resources,
- Reduce wildfire risks,
- Protect forests,
- Keep beaches clean,
- Protect marine life
- And preserve wildlife habitats.
The Opponents of Measure Q, the Santa Cruz County Fire Chiefs’ Association, do not support this measure because it does not directly contribute to wildfire risk reduction nor directly fund all local fire agencies responsible for wildfire risk reduction.
The Fire Chiefs struggle with:
- The governance structure places decision-making in the hands of Santa Cruz County departments, which will themselves be competing for funding.
- Direct fiscal apportionment to the County and cities but nothing to fire agencies best positioned to reduce wildfire risk in the county's unincorporated areas.
- The advisory board serves 4-year terms and no more than two terms. But it can be extended indefinitely by the appointed agency.
- How will this tax apply to every non-exempt parcel in the county regardless of income capacity?
The Proponents are receiving endorsements from state, local public sector, and community leaders — the list reads like a who's who of Santa Cruz County. The Opponents are listed as the Santa Cruz County Fire Chiefs Association. Let’s see where this local initiative lands on Nov. 5th.
Proposition 4 (SB 867) establishes the Safe Drinking Water, Wildlife Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024. “Prop. 4, if approved by voters, would authorize the issuance of bonds in the amount of $10 billion pursuant to the State General Obligation Bond Law to finance projects for safe drinking water, drought, flood and water resilience, wildlife and forest resilience, coastal resilience, extreme heat mitigation, biodiversity and nature-based climate solutions, climate-smart sustainable and resilient farms, ranches, working lands, park creation and outdoor access and clean air programs.” https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/ballot-measures/pdf/sb867.pdf
The question for Santa Cruz County is to understand if Measure Q and Prop. 4 receive voters' approval, will the local measure be eligible for Prop 4 funding projects to augment the local funds.
There is no question that wildfires, floods, and sea rise are increasing because of climate change and other natural disasters. Prop 4 and Measure Q combined can complement local efforts to address a resilient community. Let’s see if voters agree.