What to know about Props 43, 44, 45: Local tax threshold, clinic spending, environmental review
If approved, the last three propositions that California voters are considering in this election would: raise the vote threshold for local special tax measures; require clinics to spend more of their revenue on patient care; and speed up environmental reviews for housing and infrastructure.
Here's an explanation of each of the proposed legislative measures.
Prop. 43: Local tax threshold
Proposition 43 would raise the percentage of votes needed to pass local tax measures for specific services. Currently, a majority is required to pass - but if Proposition 43 is enacted, the threshold would rise to two-thirds.
In 2022, Measure ULA , the so-called Los Angeles "mansion tax," was approved by 58% of voters. If Prop. 43 had been in effect at the time, the measure would have failed.
Those who support Prop. 43 want to make it more difficult to tax residents in a state that already has high taxes. Those opposed say it would make it harder for cities and counties to raise money for local issues.
Prop. 44: Clinic spending
Proposition 44 would require non-profit federally qualified health centers to spend 90 percent of their revenue on expenses that advance their mission. These clinics primarily serve low-income families -- and they would be fined by the state if they don't spend the full 90-percent.
Fines would go into an account that the legislature would allocate to fund clinical worker training, recruitment, and retention.
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Supporters, including SEIU United Healthcare Workers West (SEIU-UHW), say it would force clinics to spend more on helping patients and less on executive pay and overhead costs.
Those against Prop. 44, including several nurse and physician groups, say it's unnecessary because these clinics are already regulated and it could have the opposite effect on care.
Prop. 45: Environmental review
Prop. 45 would speed up the review process for the California Environmental Quality Act, or CEQA. That would be achieved by setting deadlines for the public review process and resolving lawsuits that are challenging projects.
Those who support Prop. 45 say it would address California's high cost of living by cutting red tape that slows building in the state, while still maintaining California's strong environmental protections.
Opponents of Proposition 45 argue that the changes would gut CEQA, protect corporate profits over public health, and would not lower costs.
