SPECIAL REPORT / ELECTION PREVIEW : DECISION ’94 / A Voter’s Guide to State and Local Elections : Propositions : PROP. 1B

What it is: This measure would authorize $1 billion in general obligation bonds to help finance construction, renovation and seismic safety projects for public schools serving kindergarten through high school. With an expected enrollment increase of 900,000 students over the next five years, California schools are projected to need about $3.5 billion annually for those purposes. Proposition 1-B would provide up to $400 million for renovation projects, $360 million for new construction, up to $200 million for seismic retrofitting and up to $40 million for projects in school districts that agree to assume at least 60% of the costs.

*

Arguments for: With half of its schools more than 30 years old, California has fallen behind in the building and repair of classrooms. More construction money is needed to keep pace with mushrooming enrollments, to repair older structures and to ensure that schools are safe in the event of an earthquake. This measure would provide additional construction and renovation funds without raising taxes. The new construction and renovation would not only ease overcrowding but also create jobs. Although California voters have shown a general reluctance in recent years to approve bond issues, they have been more receptive to those that finance school construction.

*

Arguments against: The proposal would increase California bonded indebtedness and pass off to future generations the cost of repaying the bonds.

*

Who supports it: California State PTA, California Teachers Assn., California Council of the American Institute of Architects, California School Boards Assn., California School Employees’ Assn., County Superintendents of Schools and state Sen. Leroy Greene (D-Carmichael).

*

Who opposes it: Libertarian Party of California and of Los Angeles County.