Keeping Democracy Simple : Localities should be able to act without two-thirds vote

That one vote should not outweigh two is a basic principle of democratic rule. Yet in California that is how much of local public finance works--or, more appropriately, how it doesn’t work.

General obligation bonds, the most common instruments used by local governments to build public facilities, including schools and jails, have required a two-thirds vote since 1879. That means one voter can checkmate two by voting against a bond issue.

Contrary to myth, Proposition 13 did not impose the two-thirds requirement on the passage of those bonds. But the enactment of the 1978 property tax limitation did shift the burden of school financing from communities to the state.

So the needs for areas experiencing explosive growth--such as Los Angeles, San Diego and Orange counties--have become that much more dependent on decisions in Sacramento. Assembly Constitutional Amendment 6, authored by Assemblyman Jack O’Connell (D-Carpinteria) and supported by Gov. Pete Wilson, would take a big step toward returning the power of local financing to local voters. ACA 6 would allow voters to approve local school and jail bonds by majority vote. Wilson and others would like parks included, but that may prove politically difficult.

The amendment must get two-thirds legislative approval in order to be placed on the ballot in June.

The measure is expected to come before the full Assembly soon. Democrats are expected to be on board; the governor must do all that he can to ensure that more Republican Assembly members are on board too.

Local schools and jails are bursting at the seams. The problems aren’t getting any less daunting. That’s why the majority of local voters should be able to take steps to come up with local solutions. The Legislature should support placing ACA 6 on the ballot.