Last Resort in a Worthy Cause

The federal government set safety standards for school buses in 1977, but buses already on the road at the time were exempt and still are. As a result, 6,500 buses in California are substandard because local school districts don’t have the money to buy new bus fleets. Nearly 20% of those buses are in Los Angeles. California voters can give school-children the safety that they deserve through a $100-million bond issue if the Legislature will put the question on the ballot. The measure should come before the state Senate on Thursday.

On June 7, 1985, an 11-year-old Elk Grove boy was killed and 74 children were injured when a bus built in 1963 crashed into a stalled milk truck. Had those children been riding in a newer bus, their chances of escaping harm would have been far greater because buses that meet federal standards are stronger and safer. But there are more than 2,000 buses that are that old in the state. And nobus bought before 1977 has the higher, stronger padded seats called for in the federal standards. The older buses also do not meet strict requirements for body strength and protection in roll-over accidents. Seat belts are not required for any school buses, but that is another issue that is under study as the result of a bill sponsored by Assemblywoman Gloria Molina (D-Los Angeles).

The bond issue--AB 2339, sponsored by Assemblyman Richard Katz (D-Sepulveda)--would require local school districts to match the state bond funds to pay for the new buses. Attempts to raise money in other ways have failed. Gov. George Deukmejian, for example, wanted to use money that the state received from an Exxon oil overcharge case, but red tape prevented it. The bond issue is the last resort in a cause as worthy as the future itself. The Legislature should promptly approve AB 2339 and put the question to voters.