California voters face 14 statewide propositions on November 3, covering everything from schools and health care to voting rights, local services, and environmental protections. 350 Bay Area Action and 350 Contra Costa Action have taken positions on seven propositions that particularly affect social and environmental justice, democracy, and our communities.
PROP 3 — VOTE YES: Permanent High-Earner Tax Makes permanent existing higher income-tax rates on high earners that would otherwise expire in 2031. The revenue goes to public education. Why YES: Protects an important source of funding for schools and public priorities rather than providing a future tax cut for the highest earners.
PROP 4 — VOTE YES: Public Financing of Election Campaigns Allows state and local governments to establish public campaign-financing programs. Why YES: Candidates shouldn’t have to depend on wealthy donors. Public financing is able to broaden who is able to run for office and whose voices are represented.
PROP 39 — VOTE NO: Voter Identification Would add new identification requirements for voting in person and by mail. Why NO: Voting should be accessible. Additional ID requirements can create unnecessary barriers for eligible voters, particularly in disadvantaged communities.
PROP 40 — VOTE YES: One-Time Wealth Tax Creates a one-time 5% tax on California billionaires, with most of the revenue going to public health care and the remainder supporting education, food assistance, and administration. Why YES: With essential services under pressure, those with extraordinary wealth can contribute more to protect services Californians depend on.
PROP 42 — VOTE NO: Prohibit New Taxes on Personal Assets Would restrict California’s ability to impose new taxes on financial assets and personal property. It could also prevent Proposition 40 from taking effect if both pass and Proposition 42 receives more YES votes. Why NO: It would limit California’s future options for taxing accumulated wealth and raising revenue for health care, education, and other public needs.
PROP 43 — VOTE NO: Two-Thirds Vote Requirement for Local Special Taxes Would raise the threshold for voter-proposed local special taxes from a simple majority to two-thirds. Why NO: A little over one-third of voters could block local funding supported by nearly two-thirds, making it harder for communities to fund priorities such as fire services, roads, schools, health care and affordable housing.
PROP 45 — VOTE NO: Changes to Environmental Review Would change environmental review and court procedures for certain projects. Why NO: Communities need a meaningful opportunity to understand potential impacts on public health, air, water and neighborhoods before major projects are approved.
Data centers are becoming a growing issue across Contra Costa County and the wider Bay Area.
We previously reported on the data center development in Pittsburg, where community concerns led to further City Council discussion and the creation of an advisory committee on future data center development. In Oakley, the city has considered a temporary moratorium to allow time to evaluate potential health and environmental impacts and develop appropriate regulations.
Now Richmond is facing the same questions. Communities for a Better Environment (CBE) and Richmond residents are asking the City Council to approve a 45-day moratorium on new data center development. Richmond currently has no data centers, giving the city an opportunity to establish safeguards before projects arrive.
Data centers can require huge amounts of electricity and water and generate pollution from diesel power backup systems, so potential impacts on surrounding communities deserve careful consideration.
Tuesday, September 15 — Richmond City Hall 5:30 PM Rally • 6:00 PM City Council Meeting
CBE is asking residents to attend and support the moratorium. The experience in Pittsburg and Oakley shows why cities should have this conversation before, rather than after, major projects are approved.
Sign up for the Richmond rally and City Council meeting.
A new preliminary assessment from the Bay Area Air District has found that toxic air emissions from the Chevron Richmond Refinery pose health risks above the level that requires action.
The assessment estimates a maximum lifetime cancer risk of 37 chances in one million, compared with the Air District’s action threshold of 10 in one million. It also identified elevated short-term health risks from refinery emissions.
Richmond residents, the important question is what happens next. If the findings are confirmed, Chevron will be required to develop a plan to reduce the health risks or install stronger pollution controls. Chevron disputes the assessment, and the Air District will consider public comments before finalizing it.
can have a say. The Air District will hold a public meeting in Richmond on September 21, and it will accept written comments on the assessment through November 23 at 5:00 PM.
Read the assessment and find out how to comment.
Pleasant Hill’s recently adopted Climate Action Plan already calls for the City to “phase in a gas-powered landscape equipment ban,” including drafting an ordinance for City Council approval. Implementation is identified for 2026.
Gas-powered leaf blowers aren’t just noisy. They contribute to air pollution and climate pollution, while exposing workers and residents to harmful exhaust and dust.
Read more about why we’re working to phase out gas leaf blowers across Contra Costa County.
Now, the Pleasant Hill Planning Commission is holding a study session on September 22 to discuss the issue.
Tuesday, September 22 at 6:30 PM Pleasant Hill City Council Chambers, 100 Gregory Lane
350 Contra Costa Action is encouraging residents to speak up in support of moving forward with a ban. Our sign-on letter asks the City to follow through on its Climate Action Plan commitment and enact a ban on gas-powered leaf blowers.
Click here to access the letter.
We’re excited to formally launch our new local action web portal, making it easier for Contra Costa residents to find out what’s happening on climate issues in their own communities and how they can get involved.
The portal currently highlights our work and local action opportunities in eight of Contra Costa County’s nineteen cities, with more to come.
Find Climate Action in Contra Costa County & Cities.
We’ve also published a new article explaining why local action matters and how we’re working to connect residents across the county.
Read: Connecting Communities — Introducing Our Local Climate Action Portal.
What happens when communities are asked to bear the risks of new fossil fuel infrastructure?
Join Food & Water Watch and community partners for a screening of The Sacrifice Zone, a documentary from Physicians for Social Responsibility Los Angeles examining carbon capture and storage (CCS) and the communities already being impacted by carbon dumping projects in California.
The film looks at how CCS could create a new generation of fossil-fueled “sacrifice zones,” including here in the Delta region of the Bay Area.
Tuesday, September 29 • 6:30–8:30 PM Benicia Public Library, 150 E L Street, Benicia
A panel discussion and Q&A will follow the screening.
Register for The Sacrifice Zone film screening.
Thank you,
350 Contra Costa Action
©350 Contra Costa Action
This message has not been expressly authorized, requested, or approved by any federal, state, or local candidate, candidate’s committee or their agents, or by any ballot issue committee.
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