By Faith Gonia
Covering a wide range of fields, the 2022 state propositions of California addressed nationwide issues ranging from climate change to a tax increase on millionaires. Met with a measly seven propositions, voters passed three:
Following the historical Supreme Court’s overturn of Roe v. Wade, a decision that upheld a woman’s right to abortion, each state gained the ability to decide what constraints, if any, were to be placed on abortions.
Prior to Prop. 1, the California Constitution did not explicitly protect reproductive health care. With the passing of the ballot measure, the state’s population has a Constitutional Right to Choose on matters of contraception and abortion.
67% of California voters expressed support for a fundamental right to reproductive freedom.
Proposition 28, by setting aside approximately $1 billion annually, allows the arts to hold an equally important role in schools as math or reading does. The measure adds to Proposition 98 (a minimum percentage of general funding required to be spent on public education), only now the funding goes beyond the constitutionally required amount.
Another overwhelming majority, 64% voted in favor of increased funding for music and arts education.
In 2020, Senate Bill 793 prohibited the sale of flavored tobacco products. Since Prop. 31 qualified as a referendum on the bill, SB 793 failed to go into effect unless the proposition passed. The establishment of Prop. 31 aims to reduce drug use in teens; items under the ban include, but are not limited to, flavored cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and vape pods.
The proposition passed with 63.5% of voters’ approval.
Though the 2022 proposed ballot measures proved less abundant than years prior, their results achieve monumental change in California.