California
Anxious California Voters Will Weigh In on Climate Policy this Fall
Californians are in a state of angst over the associated threats of drought, wildfires, and local weather change—whilst they wrestle with financial woes—in response to the July PPIC setting survey. Many residents look to state authorities to guide on local weather insurance policies amidst rising indicators that President Biden and Congress are in political gridlock and the US Supreme Court docket has acted to restrict federal actions. Most California voters say they wish to weigh in on environmental insurance policies on the poll field, they usually like what voters have achieved up to now when confronted with making massive coverage choices in response to environmental crises. Californians could have one other flip to weigh in on environmental coverage with Proposition 30 this fall. This poll measure would supply funding for packages to scale back greenhouse emissions by rising the tax on private earnings over $2 million—and it has early, favorable evaluations.
About seven in ten possible voters say that it’s a “good factor” {that a} majority of voters could make legal guidelines and alter public insurance policies about environmental points by passing initiatives. At a time of deep partisan divisions, it’s noteworthy that sturdy and related majorities throughout political events (72% Democrats, 68% Republicans, 72% independents) agree. Sturdy majorities throughout the state’s areas—in addition to throughout age, gender, homeownership, earnings, and racial/ethnic teams— additionally say it’s a good factor {that a} majority of voters could make environmental insurance policies by passing initiatives. This extensively held perception is in keeping with previous PPIC surveys that discover that most certainly voters view the initiative course of total as a “good factor.”
This yr marks the fiftieth anniversary of the passage of Proposition 20 within the wake of the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill and public outcries about coastal entry. This residents’ initiative, titled “The Coastal Zone Conservation Act,” handed in 1972 (55% sure) regardless of a 100-to-1 spending benefit by its opponents. Immediately, 75% of possible voters say that it has been “principally a superb factor” that Proposition 20 handed, establishing the California Coastal Fee and regional commissions to plan and regulate using land and water in California’s coastal zone. Strong majorities have optimistic views of Proposition 20 throughout get together strains (84% Democrats, 60% Republicans, 73% independents). Overwhelming majorities throughout areas and amongst age, homeownership, earnings, and racial/ethnic teams say it has been principally a superb factor. This favorable view of Proposition 20’s affect displays Californians’ concern for his or her shoreline: 93% say that ocean and seaside situations are necessary to the financial system and high quality of life for California’s future.
California voters have forged ballots on a number of main environmental initiatives over the previous half century. For instance, Proposition 65 in 1986 (63% sure) created restrictions on poisonous discharges, Proposition 132 in 1990 (56% sure) established marine safety zones, Proposition 23 in 2010 (61% no) was an effort to droop the “World Warming Options Act of 2006,” and Proposition 39 in 2012 (61% sure) raised company taxes to pay for clear power tasks. This yr, two environmental initiatives certified for the November poll, and one will go ahead as Proposition 30.
After studying a quick abstract of Proposition 30, 63% of possible voters say that they favor this residents’ initiative, which supplies funding for state packages to scale back greenhouse gasoline emissions by rising the tax on private earnings over $2 million. The extra income would assist zero emission car packages and wildfire-related actions. Notably, and in a departure from the Proposition 20 traits, partisans are deeply divided about this local weather coverage (favor: 83% Democrats, 26% Republicans, 63% independents). Half or extra throughout areas and demographic teams are in favor.
We warning towards studying an excessive amount of into these outcomes since they measure early assist for the idea behind Proposition 30, not the proposition itself. (Later PPIC surveys will use the precise wording of the Proposition 30 poll title and label—together with the initiative’s fiscal impacts—and might be taken at a time when voters are cognizant of the professionals and cons from the voter’s information and paid commercials.) Nonetheless, the outcomes are in keeping with the strong assist and partisan divisions on local weather change mirrored in our July survey—and are a harbinger of issues to come back in what’s prone to be a full of life debate about state local weather coverage.
In closing, it is very important observe that initiatives aren’t seen by voters as a panacea for making state local weather coverage. Relating to environmental points, 46% of possible voters view the initiative course of as managed “lots” by particular pursuits and 47% see the legislative course of as managed “lots” by particular pursuits. Furthermore, legislative payments and govt actions on state local weather coverage have sturdy majority assist in our July survey: 68% of possible voters need the state authorities to take motion, separate from the federal authorities, on local weather points. Forty-five % say that candidates’ positions on environmental points are “crucial” of their vote for governor this yr.
Voters appear to desire a “hybrid democracy” which blends the initiative and legislative processes. In response to an environmental initiative that was eligible for the November poll, the legislature handed and the governor signed a invoice requiring state rules to scale back plastic waste. Eighty-three % of possible voters say they favor this regulation—together with strong majorities throughout events (94% Democrats, 63% Republicans, 85% independents) and overwhelming majorities throughout areas and demographic teams.
Relating to local weather change, 69% of possible voters say it’s both very or considerably necessary for California to behave as a world chief. The excellent news for voters is that they get to be the choice makers on a local weather coverage this fall. Win or lose, Proposition 30 might be an opportunity to speak about areas of settlement and disagreement, and a possibility to attempt to attain a broader political consensus on some of the vexing problems with our time.
California
California Gov. Gavin Newsom says state will provide rebates if Trump removes tax credit for electric vehicles
California Gov. Gavin Newsom said the state will provide rebates to residents if President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming administration does away with a federal tax credit for electric vehicles.
In a news release issued Monday, Newsom said he would restart the state’s Clean Vehicle Rebate Program, which provided financial incentives on more than 590,000 vehicles before it was phased out late 2023.
“We will intervene if the Trump Administration eliminates the federal tax credit, doubling down on our commitment to clean air and green jobs in California,” Newsom said. “We’re not turning back on a clean transportation future — we’re going to make it more affordable for people to drive vehicles that don’t pollute.”
The federal rebates on new and used electric vehicles were implemented in the Inflation Reduction Act that President Joe Biden signed into law in 2022. When Trump’s second term in office begins next year, he could work with Congress to change the rules around those rebates. Those potential changes could limit the federal rebates, including by reducing the amount of money available or limiting who is eligible.
Limiting federal subsidies on electric vehicle purchases would hurt many American automakers, including Ford, General Motors and the EV startup Rivian. Tesla, which also builds its automobiles in the United States, would take a smaller hit since that company currently sells more EVs and has a higher profit margin than any other EV manufacturer.
Newsom also announced earlier this month that he will convene a special session “to protect California values,” including fundamental civil rights and reproductive rights, that he said “are under attack by this incoming administration.”
“Whether it be our fundamental civil rights, reproductive freedom, or climate action — we refuse to turn back the clock and allow our values and laws to be attacked,” Newsom said on X on Nov. 7.
A spokesperson for Trump did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
This isn’t the first time California will be taking action against the Trump’s administration concerning clean transportation legislation.
In 2019, California and 22 other states sued his administration for revoking its ability to set standards for greenhouse gas emission and fuel economy standards for vehicles, The Associated Press reported.
California sued the Trump administration over 100 times during his first term, primarily on matters including gun control, health care, education and immigration, the Los Angeles Times reported.
California
45 Years Later, California Murder Mystery Solved Through DNA Evidence
A 45-year-old cold case of a 17-year-old girl brutally raped and murdered has been resolved, bringing closure to the family. On February 9, 1979, Esther Gonzalez walked from her parents’ home to her sister’s in Banning, California, roughly 137 km east of Los Angeles. She never arrived. The next day, her body was discovered in a snowpack near a highway in Riverside County, California. Authorities determined she had been raped and bludgeoned to death, leading to an investigation that spanned decades.
The lab was able to match the DNA to a man named Lewis Randolph “Randy” Williamson, who died in 2014. Williamson, a US Marine Corps veteran, called authorities on the fateful day to report finding Ms Gonzalez’s body. At the time, he claimed he could not identify whether the body was male or female. Described as “argumentative” by deputies, Williamson was asked to take a polygraph test, which he passed, clearing him of suspicion in the pre-DNA era. He had faced assault allegations in the past but was never convicted of any violent crimes, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Despite limited leads, the Riverside County cold case homicide team didn’t give up. A semen sample recovered from Ms Gonzalez’s body in 1979 was preserved but remained unmatched in the national Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) for decades.
In 2023, forensic technology finally caught up. The homicide team collaborated with a genetic lab in Texas that specialises in forensic genealogy. A sample of Williamson’s blood from his 2014 autopsy provided the DNA match needed to confirm him as the 17-year-old’s rapist and killer.
The Gonzalez family had mixed emotions—relief at finally having answers and sadness knowing Williamson would not face justice, as he died in Florida ten years ago. Ms Gonzalez, remembered by her family as a shy yet funny and mild-mannered young woman, was the fourth of seven children. Her oldest brother, Eddie Gonzalez, wrote on Facebook, “The Gonzalez family would like to thank the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department on a job well done. After 40 years, the Gonzalez family has closure.”
“We are very happy that we finally have closure,” Ms Gonzalez’s sister, Elizabeth, 64, shared with CNN. “We are happy about it but, since the guy has died, a little sad that he won’t spend any time for her murder.”
California
Bird Flu Virus Identified In Raw Milk Sold In California
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has detected the avian influenza or “bird flu” virus in a sample of a raw milk product. The product which was for sale at retailers at the time of the testing has now been recalled by the producer after the state of California requested it’s withdrawal from sale.
The affected product is cream top, whole raw milk produced and packaged by Raw Farm, LLC of Fresno County with lot code 2024110. The best buy date of the batch is 11. Nov, 2024 meaning consumers could still have it in their homes. No illnesses have currently been reported from this batch of milk, but people can take several days to develop bird flu after exposure. According to the World Health Organization, most people develop symptoms within 2-5 days, but can take up to 17 days to develop.
According to the CDC, bird flu symptoms may include fever or feeling feverish or chills, eye redness or irritation, and respiratory symptoms, such as cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, and tiredness.
Customers should not consume any product matching the description above and should return the product to stores or dispose of it. The CDPH is also in the process of informing re also in the process of informing retailers about the infected product to notify them to remove it from their shelves. The CDPH has since visited both locations of the company’s farms and has found no further evidence of bird flu. The CDPH will continue to test the farm’s milk twice a week.
The CDPH stresses that there is no risk of consuming pasteurized milk as the milk is heated to temperatures which inactivate bacteria and viruses. However raw milk does not go through this process, meaning any bacteria or viruses in the milk can be transferred to the consumer. Public health departments, as well as the CDC have long warned against the dangers of consuming raw milk, which has been responsible for outbreaks of Listeria, E. coli, Campylobacter and Salmonella, among other microbes.
California has been hit with bird flu outbreaks in both dairy cow herds and poultry farms with over 400 dairy herds affected as of 22. November. Twenty-nine human cases have also been recorded in the state, mostly individuals who have had close contact with infected livestock. The numbers of infected individuals are likely to be under reported and very little is known about the severity of disease in humans so far. Just two days ago, the CDC confirmed a case of H5N1 bird flu in a child in California with no known contact with livestock.
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