California Proposition 50, Water Projects Bond Measure (2002)
| California Proposition 50 | |
|---|---|
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| Election date November 5, 2002 | |
| Topic Bond issues and Water | |
| Status | |
| Type State statute | Origin Citizens |
California Proposition 50 was on the ballot as an initiated state statute in California on November 5, 2002. It was approved.
A "yes" vote supported authorizing the state to issue $3.4 billion in general obligation bonds for water projects including the CALFED Bay-Delta Program, regional water management, and safe drinking water. |
A "no" vote opposed authorizing the state to issue $3.4 billion in general obligation bonds for water projects including the CALFED Bay-Delta Program, regional water management, and safe drinking water. |
Election results
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California Proposition 50 |
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| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
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3,882,118 | 55.29% | ||
| No | 3,139,478 | 44.71% | ||
Text of measure
Ballot title
The ballot title for Proposition 50 was as follows:
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Ballot summary
The ballot summary for this measure was:
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• Authorizes $3,440,000,000 general obligation bonds to fund a variety of water projects, including: • Specified CALFED Bay-Delta Program projects including urban and agricultural water use efficiency projects; • Grants and loans to reduce Colorado River water use; • Purchasing, protecting and restoring coastal wetlands near urban areas; • Competitive grants for water management and quality improvement projects; • Development of river parkways; • Improved security for state, local and regional water systems; • Grants for desalination and drinking water disinfection. • Appropriates money from state General Fund to pay off bonds. | ” |
Full Text
The full text of this measure is available here.
Fiscal impact
- See also: Fiscal impact statement
The fiscal estimate provided by the California Legislative Analyst's Office said:[1]
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Support
Official arguments
The official arguments in support of Proposition 50 were signed by Barbara Inatsugu, president of the League of Women Voters of California; Dan Taylor, vice president of the National Audubon Society; and Marguerite Young, California Director Clean Water Action:[1]
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YES ON 50. PROTECT OUR DRINKING WATER SUPPLY AND COASTLINE. Our water supply is threatened by pollution, recurring drought, population growth, and inadequate security. Proposition 50 will help overcome these threats and provide every California family a safe, reliable supply of clean drinking water by:
YES ON 50 KEEPS OUR WATER FLOWING California’s population is expected to nearly double in the next forty years. Proposition 50 funds state and local water system improvements needed to keep up with population growth by providing new water supplies and supporting water conservation programs. YES ON 50 KEEPS OUR WATER CLEAN Proposition 50 funds improved drinking water treatment to remove dangerous cancer causing chemicals, including arsenic, chromium and MTBE from our drinking water. YES ON 50 KEEPS OUR WATER SAFE Many of California’s reservoirs, dams and pumping stations are protected by little more than a chain link fence. Proposition 50 protects local water delivery systems from terrorist threats and intentional contamination by funding early warning systems, alarms, fences, security systems, testing equipment and upgraded communications systems. YES ON 50 PROTECTS OUR BEACHES, BAYS AND COASTLINE Many of California’s most beautiful beaches are unsafe for swimming because of pollution and raw sewage. Proposition 50 will fix aging local sewer and storm water systems that dump urban runoff into coastal waters. Proposition 50 also provides for protection and restoration of coastal wetlands vital to restoring the water quality, fisheries and wildlife of the San Francisco, Santa Monica and San Diego bays and of the coastal waters of the state. YES ON 50 WILL NOT RAISE TAXES Proposition 50 will use existing tax revenue where it is needed now—to protect our water supply and ensure safe drinking water for all Californians. YES ON 50—SUPPORTED BY LOCAL WATER AGENCIES, CONSERVATION GROUPS, BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY GROUPS, INCLUDING:
YES ON 50—PROTECT CALIFORNIA’S FUTURE: California’s future depends on investment in water supply and security, water quality and safe drinking water projects and on protecting our rivers, lakes, bays and coastal waters from contamination. Proposition 50 provides the funds that local water districts need to serve California’s growing population. Please join our campaign to protect California’s water supply and coastline: www.prop50yes.com[2] |
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Opposition
Official arguments
The official arguments in opposition to Proposition 50 were signed by Ernie Dynda, president of the United Organizations of Taxpayers; Edward J. (Ted) Costa, CEO of People’s Advocate; and Tom C. Rogers, chairman of the Citizens Against Unfair Taxation:[1]
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It seems like every time we have a general election, someone asks for a few billion dollars for safe drinking water. This time we are being asked to pass the largest water bond in history. A whopping $5.7 billion—when you consider the principal ($3.44 billion) and the interest ($2.24 billion). In spite of all the water bonds California taxpayers have approved in the last 30 years, our Governor and Legislature have taken no action to develop new water storage facilities. In fact, the construction of dams and reservoirs has been at a virtual standstill for many years in California. Most of water bond monies California voters have been approving have gone for endless studies of the problem, and to pander to unrealistic environmental demands. It’s time for all good taxpayers to say 'no dice' to these bond schemes that do nothing to improve our long range water supply. Yes, we are fast approaching a big water shortage crisis in California, the likes of which we have never seen before. Proposition 50 provides virtually no money to alleviate that crisis. We need new dams on the American River at Auburn and on the upper San Joaquin River at Friant. $3.44 billion will build both of them and provide us with a much needed new water supply. We need to build the Sites Reservoir in Colusa County, and the Los Banos Grande Reservoir in Merced County to store an additional 6 million acre feet of new water for drought protection and to accommodate all the new construction of the last 30 years. $3.44 billion would go a long way to build these worthwhile new reservoirs. All of California desperately needs a diversion channel around the Delta so that excess water that now flows out the Golden Gate into the ocean can be sent to drought stricken areas of our State. $3.44 billion would substantially fund that project. Proposition 50 does nothing to start, or plan for completion of any of the projects listed above. Proposition 50 has been described as the 'stealth bond issue.' Proponents are trying to sell it as a clean drinking water initiative. However, all California taxpayers should know it was drafted by a Sacramento lobbyist for several environmental groups and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Supporters then hired professional signature gatherers and paid as much as $2.50 a signature to qualify this deceptive initiative for the ballot. What Proposition 50 really does is dole out bond funds to the pet projects of those environmental groups that paid to put it on the ballot. And, you and your children will have to come up with $227 million each year for the next 25 years to pay for it. Recently, a group of 30 taxpayer organizations from around the State met in Convention under the name California Taxpayer’s Coalition and voted unanimously to oppose Proposition 50. Vote no on Proposition 50. For more information tedcosta@tedcosta.com or peoplesadvocate.org 1-800-501-8222.[2] |
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Path to the ballot
In California, the number of signatures required for an initiated state statute is equal to 5 percent of the votes cast at the preceding gubernatorial election. For initiated statutes filed in 2002, at least 419,260 valid signatures were required.
See also
External links
- Official Voter Guide
- Full text of Proposition 50
- Smart Voter information about Prop 50
- Official declaration of the November 5, 2002 vote
- Top Ten Donors to Proposition 50
Footnotes
