California Proposition 47, School Construction Bond Measure (2002)

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California Proposition 47
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Election date
November 5, 2002
Topic
Bond issues and Education
Status
Approveda Approved
Type
Bond issue		Origin
State Legislature

California Proposition 47 was on the ballot as a bond issue in California on November 5, 2002. It was approved.

A "yes" vote supported authorizing the issuance of $13.05 billion in bonds for construction and renovation of public school facilities.

A "no" vote opposed authorizing the issuance of $13.05 billion in bonds for construction and renovation of public school facilities.


Proposition 47 approved issuing $13.05 billion in general obligation bonds for K-12 school construction.

Election results

California Proposition 47

Result Votes Percentage

Approved Yes

4,222,946 59.08%
No 2,925,223 40.92%
Results are officially certified.
Source


Text of measure

Ballot title

The ballot title for Proposition 47 was as follows:

“
Kindergarten-University Public Education Facilities Bond Act of 2002.


”

Ballot summary

The ballot summary for this measure was:

“

• This act provides for a bond issue of thirteen billion fifty million dollars ($13,050,000,000) to fund necessary education facilities to relieve overcrowding and to repair older schools.

• Funds will be targeted to areas of greatest need and must be spent according to strict accountability measures.

• Funds will also be used to upgrade and build new classrooms in the California Community Colleges, the California State University, and the University of California, to provide adequate higher education facilities to accommodate growing student enrollment.

• 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]

“ State cost of about $26.2 billion over 30 years to pay off both the principal ($13.05 billion) and interest ($13.15 billion) costs on the bonds. Payments of about $873 million per year.[2] ”

Support

Official arguments

The official arguments submitted in support of Proposition 47 were signed by Allan Zaremberg, president California Chamber of Commerce; Jan Harp Domene, president of California State PTA (PTA); and Larry McCarthy, president of California Taxpayers’ Association (CAL TAX):[1]

“

California’s public schools used to be among the best in the nation. But years of neglect and inadequate funding have taken their toll.

Students can’t learn and teachers can’t teach in overcrowded and rundown classrooms. Proposition 47 will help fix our schools…and help our students succeed. PARENTS SUPPORT Proposition 47 because it BUILDS NEW SCHOOLS. Prop. 47:

  • BUILDS THE NEW SCHOOLS we need for the hundreds of thousands of new students entering California classrooms in the coming years.
  • BUILDS NEW CLASSROOMS to keep class sizes small. Our kids can’t learn with 45 kids in their class!

LOCAL TEACHERS SUPPORT Proposition 47 because it REPAIRS AND RENOVATES OLD AND OUTDATED SCHOOLS. Prop. 47:

  • FIXES LEAKY ROOFS, REPAIRS BATHROOMS that don’t work and PUTS HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING in our classrooms.
  • GUARANTEES that our kids go to school in SAFE BUILDINGS THAT MEET EARTHQUAKE AND FIRE STANDARDS. PARENTS AND TEACHERS SUPPORT Proposition 47 because it MAKES SURE THE MONEY IS SPENT WHERE IT IS NEEDED MOST. Prop. 47:
  • GUARANTEES that new schools will be built where classes are already severely overcrowded.
  • MAKES SURE that new and growing communities get their fair share of the funds to build the schools they need.

The CALIFORNIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE and the LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF CALIFORNIA SUPPORT Proposition 47 because it INVESTS IN THE FUTURE OF OUR ECONOMY AND OUR WORKFORCE. Prop. 47:

  • Provides money to WIRE OUR CLASSROOMS for the technology and computers our kids need to compete in college or career.
  • Gives our students ACCESS TO the right TECHNOLOGY today to be prepared for the workforce and society of tomorrow.

The CALIFORNIA TAXPAYERS’ ASSOCIATION SUPPORTS Proposition 47 because it PROTECTS TAXPAYERS AND SENIORS by holding schools accountable for how they spend our hard-earned dollars. Prop. 47:

  • PROVIDES for AUDITS, COST CONTROLS and other ACCOUNTABILITY requirements to guard against waste and mismanagement.
  • ASSURES that taxpayer funds CANNOT BE SPENT ON BUREAUCRACY or wasteful overhead—funds can only be spent to build or renovate schools.

The CALIFORNIA BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE SUPPORTS Proposition 47 because it also provides funds for California’s colleges and universities. Prop. 47:

  • BUILDS NEW COLLEGE CLASSROOMS to accommodate the tens of thousands of new students who will enter our campuses in the next few years.
  • Upgrades aging college laboratories, libraries and research facilities so that they can continue to pave the way for NEW TECHNOLOGIES and INDUSTRIES.

Proposition 47 will provide $13 billion for school construction and renovation for our public schools, colleges and universities— WITHOUT RAISING YOUR TAXES. CALIFORNIA SCHOOLS ARE TURNING THE CORNER. Test scores are up and more students are meeting high standards. BUT THERE IS STILL MUCH MORE WE CAN DO. Join Republicans, Democrats and Independents—taxpayers and business leaders—the California Teachers Association and the California State PTA—seniors and women’s groups and millions of Californians who all support our schools. Invest in California’s children and California’s future. VOTE YES on PROPOSITION 47.[2]

”

Opposition

Official arguments

The official arguments submitted in opposition to Proposition 47 were signed by WM. J. “Pete” Knight, Senator 17th District, California State Senate; Jon Coupal, president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association; and Lewis K. K. Uhler, president of the National Tax Limitation Committee:[1]

“

California currently has tens of billions of dollars in outstanding bonds that we are paying interest on. Because we’ve passed so many bonds in recent years, California has been assigned the third lowest credit rating in the country. As such, we should be extremely careful whenever we consider taking on more debt.

There is no doubt that the school facilities shortage in our state is a serious problem that needs to be addressed. But Proposition 47 is the wrong solution. This bond is poorly written and patently unfair. Prop 47 does not encourage immediate school construction. In fact, under this new scheme, the schools with the neediest kids aren’t even obligated to begin building a single school for six and a half years. School districts can reserve bond money by simply stating an “intent” to build a school in a general location. They don’t need to have plans drawn up, complete an environmental impact study, or even identify an approvable site. Schools built with the bond funds made available in 2004 would not have to break ground until 2011! In short, Prop 47 will allow these districts to tie up money while other ready-to-build sites go unfunded and projects are delayed.

Additionally, Prop 47 favors the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) over every other district in the state. According to numbers from the Office of Public School Construction, LAUSD is eligible for over 24% of the new construction funds, even though it accounts for only 12% of the state’s student population. Tax dollars from across the state shouldn’t be used to service a bond that so heavily favors a single school district. Say 'No' to LAUSD’s greed. Vote 'No' on Prop 47.[2]

”

Path to the ballot

See also: Authorizing bonds in California

The California State Legislature is required to pass bond acts by a two-thirds (66.67%) vote of all the members in both legislative chambers. The governor must also sign the bond act. Proposition 47 was voted onto the ballot by the California State Legislature by Assembly Bill 16 of the 2001–2002 Regular Session (Chapter 33, Statutes of 2002).

Votes in legislature to refer to ballot
Chamber Ayes Noes
Assembly 71 8
Senate 27 11

See also

2002 Measures

California

News and analysis


External links

Footnotes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 University of California, "Voter Guide," accessed April 6, 2021
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
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