Moderate Boost to School Bonds

Democratic and Republican governors rarely agree on how to spend the taxpayers’ money, so the endorsements by Gov. Gray Davis and his predecessor, former GOP Gov. Pete Wilson, of Proposition 39 are notable. Both governors have worked hard to reform public education, and they recognize the need to make it a little easier to build new schools and repair old ones.

The state finances a major part of school construction, but local school districts are required to put up matching funds, which often are generated by school bond measures. These are very difficult to pass because the state Constitution requires approval by a two-thirds super-majority. Proposition 39 would lower that threshold to 55%, still rightly tougher to pass than a simple majority but more in the realm of the possible. The measure deserves voter support.

School bonds do slightly increase property taxes, so the measure has drawn opposition from the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Assn., the keepers of the Proposition 13 flame. But the Jarvis folks are nearly alone on this one. Many homeowners and business owners are willing to invest in public education; the California Chamber of Commerce also strongly backs Proposition 39, stressing the link between good schools and good employees.

To allay reasonable concerns that these funds would be wasted or mismanaged, the initiative and companion legislation should require accountability. Under the measure, school districts would have to list all school construction projects to be financed by the proceeds of the bond. None of the dollars could be spent on administrative salaries, and spending would be overseen by an independent citizen watchdog commission. That’s a strong start, but if the initiative is approved, as it should be, the Legislature should pass even tougher accountability measures that would give greater clout to the oversight commissions and cap the amount by which property taxes could be raised.

California schools are among the most overcrowded in the nation, with far too many children shoe-horned into trailers at schools juggling year-round classes. Supporters of Gov. Davis and former Gov. Wilson alike should follow their lead and vote yes on Proposition 39.