Proposition 203
Public Education Facilities Bond Act
- This act provides for a This act provides for a bond issue of three billion dollars ($3,000,000,000) to provide funds for school facility improvement programs.
- Earmarks $2.025 billion for primary and secondary schools, and $975 million for higher education.
- Appropriates money from General Fund to pay off bonds.
The information below was provided by the California Journal.
Background: Just a few years ago, education bonds were as
close to a slam dunk as any other factor in California elections, invariably
passing with more than 60 percent of the vote. But in the 1990s several factors
have combined to diminish the popularity of education-related measures. First,
there is general concern over the state's cumulative bonded debt. In addition,
the voting population -- as opposed to the population as a whole -- is aging
and thus less-interested in spending money on education. Finally, schools
themselves have come under mounting criticism for, among other things, falling
test scores and high dropout rates among students. The first inkling that
something was amiss with school bonds came in 1992. Although voters passed bond
measures in both June and November of that year, the margins of victory were
substantially less than in previous years. Two years later, the unthinkable
occurred when both school and higher-ed bonds failed in the June primary. In
addition, many local school-bond measures, which require a two-thirds vote,
have failed in recent years. As a result, Proposition 203 is the first school
bond to appear on a statewide ballot since June 1994. And it almost did not
make it. Although both Republicans and Democratic lawmakers expressed the need
for a school-bond measure, the current proposal became enmeshed in partisan
wrangling throughout 1995. Democrats wanted a stand-alone education bond, while
Republicans wanted education bonds linked with another proposal to provide
bonds for prison construction. As a result, both proposals were defeated in the
final hours before the 1995 legislative session adjourned in September. The
current, education-only proposal was revived when lawmakers returned in
January, passing both houses on January 8th -- the deadline set by the
secretary of state for putting measures on the March primary ballot.
Proposal: Proposition 203 provides for the sale of $3
billion worth of general obligation bonds, with the proceeds to be used for the
construction of classrooms, libraries and other needed facilities in the
state's public schools, community colleges and public universities. Funds also
may be used to make current classrooms earthquake safe, to provide computer
technology, reduce class size and meet expenses associated with enrollment
growth. The money may only be used for approved school construction
projects.
Arguments for: Although specific ballot arguments had not
been received by the secretary of state prior to press time, proponents of past
school-bond measures have argued that new schools must be built to keep pace
with the state's increasing enrollment and that since m ore than half of
California schools are at least 30 years old, renovating them would improve the
quality of the learning environment. Traditional proponents for school bonds
include the state PTA, California School Boards Association, the state Chamber
of Commerce and the California Taxpayers' Association.
Arguments against: Opponents traditionally have argued
that bonds are not free money and that the interest on the bonds must be repaid
from the state general fund. They have argued that school bonds do little to
help the state's economy and that half of the state budget already is dedicated
to education -- primarily to bureaucrats. In the past, the Libertarian Party
has opposed all bond measures, including those for education.
For additional information please see:
- Voters verdict on bond measure to decide fate of school upgrade -- The Vacaville Reporter (February 19, 1996)
- Yes on 203
None submitted.
- No on 203
None submitted.
