Urban growth boundaries in Ventura County – put on the ballot by Save Open Space and Agricultural Resources – were extended. Ventura remains the leader in Southern California on growth management. In San Diego, a developer-sponsored measure to circumvent local government and approve a project in farmland was defeated, making it unlikely for this tactic to be used again.

In Los Angeles County a parcel tax for parks passed. It is urban oriented but also benefits natural lands. In San Diego County, a transit-focused transportation sales tax that would have provided an unprecedented $2 billion for wildlife was defeated. With ongoing transit operations unfunded and wildlife left in the lurch, the measure’s opponents have much to ponder. Another transportation sales tax measure, which also had major habitat funding, failed in Ventura County. In Los Angeles County, though, a transportation sales tax that was transit heavy – though having no habitat benefits – passed. 

In the City of Los Angeles, in a crisis response, a tax increase to build housing for the homeless passed. Also passing was a controversial measure that ties rezoning to requirements for affordable housing units and to union labor. In Santa Monica, voter control for intensified land uses was defeated.