California Considers Climate Resiliency Bond For 2024 Ballot - Planetizen

California Considers Climate Resiliency Bond For 2024 Ballot | Planetizen News

The proposed state general obligation bond would address the need to protect communities and natural resources from the impacts of climate change.

California is increasingly experiencing the impacts of climate change, including sea level rise, increased severity and frequency of wildfires, changes in precipitation that increase the risk of both drought and flooding, and increases in temperatures that can adversely impact air quality, public health, and habitats.

State legislators are now considering issuing a general obligation bond to address the need to protect communities and natural resources from the impacts of climate change. If approved by both houses and signed by the Governor, California voters would see the $15.5 billion bond measure on a 2024 statewide ballot in either March or November.

The initiative dedicates funding for projects to:

- Reduce fire risk near communities and ensure forests are healthy enough to withstand more intense wildfires;
- Reduce the risk of catastrophic flood events by slowing and capturing runoff, which will improve groundwater infiltration and help to stabilize drinking water supplies;
- Protect coastal communities from sea-level rise; and
- Help urban communities adapt to rising temperatures by reducing heat-island effects through greening projects such as parks and supportive measures such as cooling centers.

General obligation bonds are debt that is secured by the General Fund; the debt service on bonds issued by the state must be paid on an annual basis. Fully paying off a bond issue can take decades (sometimes 30 or more years). Bonds issued by the State of California are able to obtain favorable financing because interest on these bonds is tax exempt. Per the California Constitution, voters must approve general obligation bonds in excess of $300,000. There are two pathways to the ballot for general obligation bonds that exceed this $300,000 threshold: 1) through an act of the Legislature; and, 2) via the citizens’ initiative process.

FULL STORY: $15.5 Billion 'Climate Resiliency Bond' Getting Ready for Voters on 2024 Ballot

The Top Schools For Urban Planners

The 7th Edition of the Planetizen Guide to Graduate Urban Planning Programs, now available, includes an updated ranking of the Top 25 master’s programs in urban planning, city planning, regional planning, and community planning.

Vote for the Most Influential Urbanists, Past and Present

Readers sent hundreds of nominees for an updated version of Planetizen's Most Influential Urbanists list. Now's your chance to vote among 200 nominees.

Cincinnati First City in Ohio to Legalize Accessory Dwelling Units

The Queen City achieved an historic day for planning in the state of Ohio.

California Considers Climate Resiliency Bond For 2024 Ballot

The proposed state general obligation bond would address the need to protect communities and natural resources from the impacts of climate change.

Shared Mobility Starts to Reach Critical Mass

The growing popularity of shared mobility modes, many small and highly efficient, could soon begin having a significant impact on urban transportation patterns.

Regional Authority to Address Homelessness Proposed in Spokane

The city wants to coordinate resources and groups to bring resources to unhoused residents after the closure of Camp Hope, formerly the largest encampment in the state.
City Planner

City of Essex Junction
Senior Planner

City of Bellevue
Assistant or Associate Professor of Urban Planning

Harvard University Graduate School of Design
PD&R Quarterly Update on Office-to-Residential Conversions

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Call For Nominations: HUD Secretary’s Award for Excellence in Healthy Homes

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Montrose County Master Plan Rewrite

Montrose County
Wichita College Hill Neighborhood Plan

Wichita-Sedgwick County Metropolitan Area Planning Department
Lomita General Plan & Zoning Code Update

City of Lomita

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.