New York Voted to Protect the Planet. California Did Not

The story was originally published on Mother Jones.

On Tuesday, the fight against climate change was a mixed bag. Climate-related ballot measures that would have freed up billions of dollars in funding to protect the environment were considered by voters in California and New York. New York passed it's measure with flying colors. The state of California didn't.

The Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act is a wide-ranging initiative that will supply more than $4 billion in funding for projects related to the environment. Wetlands protection, solar and wind installations, street trees, land preservation and carbon sequestration are some of the things that will be funded by it. One of the first states in the country to require all of its school buses to be zero emission vehicles is New York.

35 percent of the money must benefit disadvantaged communities according to the measure. In 2021, Joe Biden issued an executive order stating that disadvantaged communities would receive at least 40 percent of climate-related benefits.

Environmental groups supported Prop 1. The New York State Conservative Party was against it. As of Wednesday afternoon, 69 percent of New Yorkers were in favor of Prop 1. Bond sales could start next year, according to reports.

New York voters deserve a shout-out for their overwhelming support of a once-in-a- generation bond measure that will protect and restore the natural resources we all depend on. This is a big win for the environment.

The climate vote in California was not well received. Two of the biggest drivers of dirty air in the state are wildfire and car exhaust. The Golden State has some of the worst air quality in the US according to an analysis. The revenue from the increased taxes on residents making more than $2 million would have been used to subsidize the transition to zero-emission vehicles. The funds would have been used to reduce wildfire risk. The measure was supported by environmental advocates, firefighters, and the California Democratic Party.