Voters reject Prop. 23, keeping California’s global warming law intact

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In 2006, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a bill aimed at rolling back the state’s greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2020. That bill, AB 32, has become the cornerstone of Schwarzenegger’s legacy as he travels the world talking about the importance of environmental protection and reducing harmful pollution.

This year, a coalition of business groups funded largely by money from out-of-state oil companies, spent millions trying to roll back the law. But the efforts were opposed by Schwarzenegger, environmental groups and California voters, who overwhelmingly rejected the ballot measure Tuesday.

[Updated 11:30 p.m.: With more than 3.5 million votes counted, Prop. 23 was being rejected by more than 59% of California voters.]

Proponents of Prop. 23 were asking voters to all but repeal that law. The measure would have suspended AB 32 until the state’s unemployment rate dipped to 5.5% for four consecutive quarters. The state’s unemployment rate is currently at 12.4%.

-- Anthony York

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