CALIFORNIA, USA — California voters have rejected a $15 billion bond to renovate California's aging schools.
Proposition 13, the only statewide measure on last week's primary ballot, would have provided funds for new construction and repairs at campuses dealing with problems like leaky roofs, old wiring, and mold. Voters were deciding if the state should borrow $15 billion for school infrastructure. This would include K-12 schools, community colleges, and universities.
Prop. 13 needed a simple majority to pass. But the “no” votes had a comfortable lead immediately after the March 3 election and only tightened slightly as several million additional ballots were counted.
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Updated vote tallies Tuesday showed the question with only 46% support. Opponents said California has a large budget surplus and shouldn't borrow more money.
About $9 billion of the Proposition 13 money would have gone to K-12 schools. Priority would be given to addressing health and safety concerns, including removing asbestos.
According to the Secretary of State’s voting guide, supporters argued that the proposition would fund essential repairs to make California public schools safer and healthier. California Governor Gavin Newsom supported Prop 13.
However, others were concerned that Prop 13 would eventually lead to increased property taxes.
“This measure authorizes $15 billion in borrowing, costing taxpayers $27 billion including interest, to build and repair schools,” said the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association in Sacramento. “Borrowing is nearly twice as expensive as paying for school construction from the regular budget, which has a huge $21 billion surplus. This is just more government waste.”
