Broad coalitions: Increasing public funding for natural resources
California's population has tripled over the last half-century, to 36 million people. It is expected to increase by another 12 million by 2020. Investments in the state's environmental infrastructure — including its drinking water systems, clean water and coastal protection programs, and expanding its parks and forestlands — have not kept pace with this phenomenal growth. Seeing this challenge, we accepted the opportunity to lead the 2006 campaign committee seeking to win voter approval of Proposition 84, a ballot measure aimed at investing in our collective future, and keeping California a great place to live and raise children. This was similar to a successful effort we led with Proposition 40, a $2.6 billion natural resources bond measure approved by the California voters in 2002.
Our role in the campaign was threefold:
- We assembled a fundraising team that developed and implemented a coordinated, multi-sector strategy, providing the financial base the campaign needed to prevail in a challenging election environment
- We provided legal and financial management services to the campaign, including budget oversight, review and approval of expenditures, and negotiation of contracts with consultants and service providers.
- We provided strategic direction on the many issues that faced the campaign, such as obtaining key endorsements, coordinating with other campaigns, and outreach to California's diverse electorate.
A focus of our effort was establishing an Executive Committee of leaders from the state's agricultural, business, water, underrepresented, and environmental communities. Its members — reflecting a cross section of California's population — provided invaluable advice and assistance on fundraising, polling, advertising, media, communications, and outreach. Perhaps most importantly, these leaders provided a reality check to make sure Proposition 84 would address the state's most compelling environmental infrastructure problems.
The campaign for Proposition 84 succeeded, ensuring $5.4 billion to protect and enhance California's natural resources. This is the largest natural resources bond approved in the United States.