As the US midterm elections take place, the question that currently is in the minds of California’s
midterm election voters is whether the rich should pay higher taxes in order to
help the city put out more electric vehicles on the road. California is aiming to
reduce emissions from transportation to meet its climate goals and to boost
resources to fight wildfires.

Parts of Southern
California and the Central Valley have recorded some of the worst air quality
in the United States. Cleaning up pollution from cars and diesel trucks as well
as public transit is essential to help the state meet its climate goals and
protect public health.

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Just in 2022, more
than 7,000 wildfires were recorded, burning nearly 362,232 acres of land. As
wildfires are emitting more and more carbon into the air and becoming larger
and more destructive, it is starting to threaten the state’s progress, both economically
and medically.

Proposition 30 would
be placing a new additional 1.75% tax on incomes above $2 million. The
estimated number for the same is fewer than 43,000 taxpayers. It would be able
to raise almost billions annually, helping subsidize the purchase of electric
vehicles and the construction of charging stations.

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Twenty percent of
the money would also go towards boosting resources to fight wildfires. Proponents
of the measure, which include various environmental groups, believe that the
state needs a dedicated and sturdy source of funding to set up the required
infrastructure that could handle an increasing number of plug-in cars and help
Californians of all income levels to buy them.

The money won’t be used exclusively
for passenger cars, as the state could also use it to put cleaner delivery buses,
trucks, and even e-bikes on the roads. A portion of the money will also be used
to help people from low-income or disadvantaged communities to buy and
access electric cars.

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Even in the national race, the climate crisis is an important issue and more urgent than ever.
Record-breaking floods, rains, heat, storms, and wildfires have affected various
parts of the US in recent years.

The outcome of the midterm elections, which take place just 85 days after the most significant piece of climate legislation to ever pass the US Congress, is unlikely to overturn the Inflation Reduction Act‘s primary provisions unless Republicans win a two-thirds majority in the House and Senate.

The comprehensive bill offers unprecedented funding for clean energy initiatives. Additionally, it includes policies to ensure big businesses pay income taxes and lower the cost of prescription medications.

On August 7, the Senate passed the bill along party lines. Its repeal or replacement would require the enactment of new legislation, which would be nearly unthinkable given the current political climate.

Republicans would need to acquire a two-thirds majority in both chambers of Congress, which is thought impossible, in order to override President Biden’s veto.

The IRA is an example of a major law that, once approved, becomes less likely to be reversed the longer it is in effect.