California voters pass $10B bond measure funding environmental projects

California voters passed Proposition 4, according to a race call by the Associated Press. About 58% of voters statewide supported the measure that will issue $10 billion in bonds for climate-related projects. 

The money will fund a variety of projects, including those that boost access to safe drinking water, wildfire prevention and the protection of lands and communities in California. 

“The way that Prop 4 was designed to focus on prevention and preparedness really represents  a pivotal shift away from just reacting to climate change,” said Guillermo Rodriguez, the California state director for the conservation nonprofit Trust for Public Land.

Rodriguez said he sees Proposition 4’s passage as evidence of increased voter interest in projects that tackle climate change impacts. 

“The voters of California are willing to make these kinds of significant investments in the future because I think we're all being impacted by climate change,” he said. 

He says the measure will help his nonprofit’s efforts to make public lands more accessible. The measure promises $700 million toward expanding and renovating local and state parks. 

Ariana Rickard, the public policy and funding program manager for the conservation nonprofit Sonoma Land Trust, said she’s expecting 2025 to be another deficit year for California’s budget. This has previously meant slashed funding for environmental projects. 

But she said this money ensures nonprofits who rely on state funding from agencies like the Wildlife Conservation Board — which will receive funding from the measure — can continue their work regardless of budget cuts.  

“We're really thrilled because it means that our projects can go forward,” Rickard said. “There's not going to be added delays to the timeline because we have that reassurance that that funding will be there.”