Please Vote for Clean Air and State Parks

Roosevelt Elk in Orick, CA favor Prop 21 (for State Parks) and oppose Props 23 and 26.
(Photo by Terry Gardner)

The trickiest part of voting in California is making sure you understand what the propositions truly represent. Prop 23 is Big Oil's attempt to put California's Clean Air Act (AB32) in the deep freeze by tying its implementation to employment statistics. Clean, greener energy will ultimately create jobs. Currently, it looks like most voters are against this dirty proposition.

But the dirty air lovers weren't content with just one proposition. Proposition 26 is essentially Big Oil's "Hail Mary" proposition to skirt fees that will be levied against polluters. Those fees will help implement AB32. Mike Sandler's "Think Prop 23 is Bad, so is Prop 26" does a great job explaining the need for a "no" vote on both of these dirty Propositions.

On the other hand, Prop 21 deserves a resounding "Yes" vote. Prop 21 creates a stable source of funding to maintain California's state parks by adding a new $18 fee to California vehicle registrations. Plus, for that $18 fee, vehicle owners receive a free day-use admission for a state park.

Although I believe Jerry Brown will be a better governor for the environment, I'm more worried about these propositions. Carly Fiorina's ads that attacked Senator Barbara Boxer for her long history of helping the environment made up my mind for me. "Carly, climate change isn't just about the weather." (Incidentally, Carly supports 23, 26 and opposes 21, so I don't suppose she and I will be having a picnic in a park anytime soon.)

The Sierra Club is staging a rally on Saturday to Stop Props 23 and 26.

When: Oct. 30 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Where: Chevron station at 10649 Jefferson Blvd., Culver City 90232