LOS ANGELES — When Ana Gonzalez helps her son, Jose, with his schoolwork, she always makes sure he has his laptop and an air filter.

“A lot of people think that by opening the windows of their home or their or doors to let the air in, that’s not a good idea in our region because it’s bringing in all the pollution,” she said.

Gonzalez said it’s coming from a high concentration of warehouses and truck traffic here in the Inland Empire, which has some of the worst air quality in the U.S., according to the American Lung Association. She said the poor air has taken a toll on her son in the form of multiple trips to the emergency room, bronchitis and asthma.

“It was hard for him to participate in a regular school setting like doing physical education, participating in team sports, that we ended up homeschooling him,” she said.

Since then, Gonzalez has become an advocate for clean air, even installing an air monitor in her backyard. She hopes Proposition 30 on the November ballot could make strides in cleaning up the air.

Proposition 30 aims to clean up two of the biggest contributors to poor air quality: emissions from gas-powered vehicles and smoke from wildfires, according to supporters.

If approved, Proposition 30 would increase income taxes by 1.75% for individuals making over $2 million a year. The money would fund electric vehicle programs, such as rebates and incentives, and wildfire prevention programs.

Opponents of Proposition 30 include Gov. Gavin Newsom, who appeared in political ads asking voters to reject it. He said the state already earmarked $10 billion to fast-track electric vehicle programs and $810 million for firefighting and wildfire prevention resources.

Opponents of Proposition 30 also say the measure is a way for Lyft to sidestep a state regulation to transition all of its drivers to electric vehicles by 2030. 

Susan Shelley with the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, which opposes the proposition, points out that cleaning up the air benefits everyone, but only some would bear the extra tax.

“Why should this be on one particular segment of taxpayers? We’ve just had a record budget, a record surplus. If this is a priority, the legislature should fund it,” she said.

Shelley also said the proposition adds to the high taxes that the wealthiest Californians already face. “13.3% is already the highest in the country and this would take it to 15.05% plus federal taxes,” she said.

But youth climate activist Matt Abularach-Macias with California Environmental Voters sees this measure as one way for the younger generation to fight climate change.

“I think our generation really feels the burden of the climate crisis on our shoulders. The generations before us kind of exacerbated or made this crisis and they knew it was coming, but our generation said enough is enough,” he said.

Gonzalez said she’s hoping action comes soon, especially for her son, who rarely spends any time outdoors.

“How can I tell my child, 'Yes, go to physical activities outside,' when there is poison in the air? I can’t do that,” she said.