Accountability and Prop. 39

The California lottery has, since 1985, contributed $11 billion to California public schools; the taxpayers passed a school bond in 1996 for $12 billion and in 1998 another school bond was passed for $9 billion, both done under the current two-thirds vote. The proponents of Prop. 39, due for a vote on Nov. 7, are trying to remove the two-thirds majority requirement for passage and are assuring us we will be allowed to know how and where and who will spend this money. How is this possible? The taxpayers do not have an agency, an organization, the money or the mechanism to enforce or verify this cavalier promise. We are powerless.

Why do these proponents refuse to present an audit that will detail for the taxpayers just exactly where that $32 billion they have received since 1985, 1996 and 1998 was spent? In short, where in the name of education did that money go?

PATRICIA MERRILL

Los Angeles

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Prop. 39 will destroy the benefits of Prop. 13 by authorizing property taxes in excess of a 1% limit by a 55% vote for school bonds. Currently a two-thirds vote is required. The television ads for Prop. 39 do not mention this fact. The purpose of Prop. 13 was to end the uncontrolled escalation of business and homeowner property taxes. Prop. 39 will reverse this trend.

MEILING DAI

Sunland

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I’m glad to see that Prop. 39 is getting the attention that it deserves. This is an important initiative for both California’s schools and taxpayers. Prop. 39 will help schools make much-needed repairs and improvements and build new classrooms to accommodate student population growth and class-size reduction programs. Prop. 39 will enact strict accountability standards to curb waste and ensure bond funds are spent properly on classroom construction and repair.

JUNE SHAPIRO

Encino