California voters approve housing bond and rainy-day fund, reject voter-ID and health-clinic measures
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With about half of ballots counted, Californians have passed a $10 billion housing bond and a rainy-day fund expansion, while rejecting proposals on voter ID, nonprofit clinic spending, and several tax and campaign-finance initiatives.
California voters have approved two measures and rejected several others as vote counting reached roughly 50% of the electorate. Proposition 1, a $10 billion housing bond plus $1.25 billion for a veterans’ home-loan program, passed with support from the Legislative Analyst’s Office, which estimates the funding could create up to 40,000 rental units and help 40,000 families purchase homes. > "There’s really only so much bond debt we can take on as a state, so we want to be mindful," said East Bay Assemblymember Buffy Wicks, who advocated for the bond.
Proposition 2, expanding the state’s Budget Stabilization Account from 10% to 20% of general-fund tax revenue, also cleared the ballot with about 60% approval, reinforcing a reserve built during Gov. Jerry Brown’s tenure.
Conversely, Proposition 39, which would have required voters to present identification at the polls, was rejected by nearly 60% of voters. Opponents argued the existing signature-matching system already safeguards election integrity and that the proposal could disenfranchise eligible voters.
Proposition 44, mandating nonprofit community health clinics to allocate at least 90% of revenue to patient services, was defeated by roughly four-fifths of voters. Critics said the sector is already regulated and the measure would add unnecessary administrative burdens.
Other initiatives remain undecided. Proposition 3, a permanent extension of the high-earner income tax that expires in 2031, led with about 59% support. Proposition 5, altering recall election rules, held a narrow lead with just over 50% in favor. Proposition 38, an $8.4 billion bond for immunotherapy research, was ahead with 57% support, while Proposition 40, a one-time 5% wealth tax on assets over $1 billion, trailed with 57% opposition.
Measures affecting campaign financing (Prop 4), tax audits (Prop 41), tax limits (Prop 42), local tax thresholds (Prop 43), and environmental review timelines (Prop 45) also showed varying levels of opposition, with most polling below a majority in favor.
The Associated Press declared three measures winners and two definite defeats as counting progressed, reflecting a mixed voter response to the ballot’s extensive fiscal and policy proposals.