Proposition 68 is a $4.1 billion bond measure that will clean up dilapidated parks, improve water projects, upgrade flood protection and protect scenic open spaces.
What You Need to Know About Proposition 68
- About two-thirds of the money would be dedicated to parks and wildlife, and one-third would be allocated to water and flood control projects.
- Payments on the bond will cost taxpayers about $200 million annually over 40 years.
- The Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) estimates the infrastructure investments will likely save communities tens of millions of dollars annually.
- Here’s how the allocations break down:
- Parks and Recreation: $1.283 billion for neighborhood parks in low-income communities, plus city and county park facilities
- Natural Resources: $1.547 billion for conservation projects and climate change preparedness
- Water: $1.27 billion for drinking water treatment, groundwater clean-up and flood protection
How did Proposition 68 Get on the Ballot?
Proposition 68 was written by state Sen. Kevin de León, D-Los Angeles, and was placed on the ballot by a two-thirds vote of state lawmakers last year.
“I grew up in a neighborhood in San Diego that was all asphalt, that was concrete and cement,” de León says. “No green parks. No open space. No trees for shade. This is an intentional way of democratizing our benefits so that every child regardless of their zip code has access to Mother Nature.”