School Facilities Bill Too Costly

The eyes of the citizens of California, as well as the nation, were intently looking upon the State of California as it attempted to resolve, through protracted negotiations, a severe budget deficit.

SB 1287, which is on the governor’s desk, following its passage in the State Legislature, would repeal a trio of cases which allow school districts to receive 100% mitigation from developers as a result of the impacts that a proposed developer’s project has upon new school facilities.

The effect of SB 1287 would ultimately result in an increase in the burden to the state for the funding of school facilities, thereby further exacerbating the budget problems of this state.

Currently, school districts look to three sources for the funding of school facilities: local general obligation bond elections, developers and state funding.

Although SB 1287 also increases statutory school fees from $1.65 to $2.65, such an increase would provide only about 50% of the actual cost of building school facilities as a result of new residential development.

Accordingly, the shortfall can be made up only in two places: either local general obligation bond elections or state funding. Since local general obligation bond elections require a two-thirds vote, such a source of funding is unlikely.

Therefore, if SB 1287 is adopted, the burden for the funding of school facilities will ultimately be shifted to the state of California. As reflected by current budget cuts, the state is in no position to take on such an additional burden.

The present school facility funding system is fair in that it only requires those who create the need for school facilities, i.e., developers, to pay the costs. However, if SB 1287 should be adopted, the burden will be shifted from those who create the need for additional school facilities to the taxpayers of the state of California.

I urge the governor, as a fiscal conservative, to veto SB 1287 because, as shown by the current budget cuts, the state cannot afford to take on any additional responsibility for funding school facilities.

KENNETH S. LEVY

Newport Beach