ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF PROPOSITION 68

YES on 68—ENSURES SAFE DRINKING WATER & PROTECTS CALIFORNIA’S NATURAL RESOURCES lN UNCERTAIN TIMES

California faces more frequent and severe droughts, wildfires, unhealthy air, unpredictable weather, and reduced federal funding and support for our land, coast, and water.

YES on 68 protects California’s unique resources and helps ensure all Californians have access to clean, safe drinking water and parks.

PROTECTS DRINKING WATER QUALITY

YES on 68 protects and improves California’s water quality by keeping toxic pollutants out of our water sources and cleans contaminated waters.

SAFEGUARDS WATER SUPPLIES. PREPARES US FOR DROUGHTS

Prop. 68 is a smart, efficient approach to ensuring future drinking water supplies: • Restores groundwater supplies, which were severely drained in the last drought • Recycles more water locally and helps farms conserve water • Captures more stormwater and prevents flooding

“YES on 68 is a smart investment in California’s future by protecting our water supplies from pollution and helping local communities adapt in uncertain times. These investments are critical for today’s residents and future generations,” Tim Quinn, Association of California Water Agencies.

BRINGS CLEAN, SAFE DRINKING WATER AND PARKS TO COMMUNITIES IN NEED

Several California communities have water so contaminated that residents cannot turn on the tap and drink the water in their own homes. In many places, families lack access to safe local parks.

YES on 68 cleans up severely contaminated local water supplies and makes long-overdue investments in local parks where they are needed most.

“All children should have safe places to play and access to clean air and water. YES on 68.” Dr. Richard Jackson, M.D., Professor Emeritus, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health.

SAFEGUARDS OUR RIVERS, LAKES, AND STREAMS

YES on 68 protects rivers, lakes, streams, and natural areas that are critical sources of our clean drinking water and beautiful places where families hike, camp, swim, and play.

PROTECTS OUR COAST, NATURAL RESOURCES AND PARKS

YES on 68 helps protect air quality and preserve California’s most treasured resources for future generations: • Restores natural areas; implements critical wildfire prevention measures • Prevents toxic air pollution • Improves access to our coast; protects beaches, bays and coastal waters from pollution • Restores California’s fish and wildlife habitats • Provides neighborhood parks, especially in communities where children currently lack access

STRICT ACCOUNTABILITY & OVERSIGHT

YES on 68 ensures funds will be efficiently used for intended purposes by requiring annual independent audits and by establishing a citizen advisory committee to review expenditures.

BROAD, BIPARTISAN SUPPORT

Prop. 68 was placed on the ballot with bipartisan support, and is endorsed by groups that understand the importance of a YES vote to improve public health and protect California’s clean water for our health, economy, children and families.

Supporters include: • California Chamber of Commerce, California’s most prominent business group • Association of California Water Agencies, representing local agencies that provide California’s drinking water • League of California Cities, representing local governments • The Nature Conservancy, The Trust for Public Land, California State Parks Foundation, and several conservation groups

VOTE YES ON PROPOSITION 68

Learn more at www.yes68ca.com

SENATOR KEVIN DE LEÓN

California State Senate President Pro Tem

DR. MICHAEL ONG, M.D.

American Lung Association in California

DAN HOWELLS-SCHAFROTH, California State Director

Clean Water Action

REBUTTAL TO ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF PROPOSITION 68

Can we share a rather sad fact with you? California has the largest unrestricted net deficit of all the 50 states in the nation!

Here are the rankings of the eleven worst managed states and their unrestricted net deficits for the year ending 2016 (California’s June 30, 2017 audited financial statements were not completed before the preparation of this report in mid-February):

• 1. California $169 billion
• 2. Illinois 150 billion
• 3. New Jersey 137 billion
• 4. Massachusetts 59 billion
• 5. Connecticut 51 billion
• 6. New York 41 billion
• 7. Kentucky 38 billion
• 8. Maryland 26 billion
• 9. Texas 20 billion
• 10. Pennsylvania 19 billion
• 11. Louisiana 12 billion

Do you really want to add to the debt burden of this state? Do you know that the annual payments for principal and interest on this bond will squeeze out other services that Sacramento should be providing? Like helping the homeless and assisting the mentally ill?

When will Sacramento’s legislature realize that we have poor infrastructure because it has not been a good steward of its financial resources. Debt is an indication of improper spending habits and inappropriate financial decisions.

Stop this madness and vote “NO” on Proposition 68.

JOHN M.W. MOORLACH, State Senator

37th District

ARGUMENT AGAINST PROPOSITION 68

Don’t be fooled by Proposition 68. The proposition promises to protect and improve California’s parks. The truth is it doesn’t.

First, of the $4 billion dollar bond, only $1.3 billion is actually dedicated to improving parks. A lot of the remaining money is given to politicians to spend on their pet projects.

Second, the money is not distributed fairly and equally across the state. Many of our residents in inland and rural California will not see any Prop. 68 park bond money spent to fix and improve their local state parks. This is wrong.

Every Californian should have their local park improved, not just the few who live near parks of powerful politicians.

Third, estimates are that state parks require $1.2 billion dollars for deferred maintenance. Yet, Prop. 68 allocates only a small amount of money for this essential task.

Finally, the Department of Parks and Recreation can’t be trusted with the money. In 2012, the department threatened to close 70 parks, saying it didn’t have the money to keep them open. This was false. An audit discovered the department did have the money, but was hiding it from the public. Until the department is reformed, we can’t trust it to spend the money wisely and fairly.

We need to protect and improve our state parks, but Prop. 68 is the wrong way to do that. Vote No and make the State Legislature really fix the parks for all Californians.

ANDREA SEASTRAND, President

Central Coast Taxpayers Association

JON COUPAL, President

Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association

Isn’t it wonderful how many great projects that California can build? I’m not here to tell you that addressing drought, water, parks, climate, coastal protection, and outdoor access is wrong.

What I want to tell you is that borrowing for them is wrong.

California has enough debt. In fact, it has the worst balance sheet of all 50 states. Its unrestricted net deficit is a quarter trillion dollars! The last thing the State of California needs is more debt!

Bond measures are deceptive. You think you’re voting for something good. But, it will take approximately $8 billion to pay off the $4 billion of borrowed funds. That means you can expect a tax increase. And your children can expect a tax increase. And your grandchildren can expect a tax increase. Why? The $225 million a year must be paid. With a tight annual budget, where else is this money supposed to come from?

The state’s pension plan contributions are rising. The retiree medical unfunded liability has just gone up $15 billion to $91.5 billion. The state’s borrowed debt for schools ($500 million per year) and, possibly, veterans ($225 million) and affordable housing ($169 million) are squeezing out other programs. Minimum wage increases alone will add $4 billion per year to the state’s budget.

This will have to be paid for. And you will be asked to raise your taxes. California is not reducing its debt. Don’t be a part of this problem. Vote “No” on Proposition 68. Very truly yours,

SENATOR JOHN M.W. MOORLACH

37th Senate District

REBUTTAL TO ARGUMENT AGAINST
PROPOSITION 68

YES on 68 makes critical investments in California’s natural resources, water and economy by tackling problems at the source before they become more expensive to address:

• Preparing for drought—by increasing local water supplies.
• Creating a healthy future for our children and grandchildren—by locating parks where kids need safe places to play and by purifying polluted local drinking water supplies.
• Safeguarding our water and coast—by protecting water sources, restoring groundwater, and preventing toxic runoff.
• Preventing natural disasters—by investing in flood prevention and restoring forests prone to wildfire.
• Strengthening our economy—which relies on clean, reliable water supplies, secure natural resources, and robust tourism and recreation.

Opponents appear not to have read the measure carefully. Prop. 68 specifically funds parks in every California city and county. And 68 takes a comprehensive approach to California’s resources— protecting water supplies, forests, and farmland.

Proposition 68 requires annual audits to make sure funds are spent efficiently for intended purposes, and it does NOT raise taxes.

Business leaders, conservation groups, public health experts, and local leaders agree—Yes on 68 is smart, cost effective, and accountable.

“Yes on 68 means safer drinking water for California families,” Wade Crowfoot, Chief Executive Officer, Water Foundation

“Yes on 68 will benefit every region of California by helping local communities improve their parks,” Carolyn Coleman, Executive Director, League of California Cities

“Yes on 68 is critical to the health of our food supply, land and water,” Craig McNamara, Past President, California Board of Food and Agriculture

Yes68ca.com

HELEN HUTCHISON, President

League of Women Voters of California

MIKE SWEENEY, Executive Director of California

The Nature Conservancy

ANDREA TUTTLE, Director (Retired)

California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection