Angelides Urges School Bond Support

Regarding The Times’ Feb. 17 editorial opposing Proposition 55, the $12.3-billion bond measure to repair and build schools for California’s future: As state treasurer and California’s chief investment officer, I strongly support Proposition 55. It is a prudent investment that will help ensure first-class schools for our children and continued excellence at our colleges and universities. Proposition 55 represents a fiscally responsible use of our bonding authority -- financing the educational facilities that will contribute to California’s long-term economic strength and competitiveness.

The need for Proposition 55 is great. California has the third-most-overcrowded classrooms in the nation, and approximately 1 million children attend schools with bathrooms that do not work. Even with its passage, the state will still face a gap of nearly $5 billion to meet its projected K-12 school facility needs over the next five years.

Phil Angelides

Sacramento

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If Proposition 55 was meant to cover the cost of improving the facilities and relieve overcrowding in K-12, it would be a lot less costly and do a lot more good. As Proposition 55 is written now, the colleges and universities would get part of the $12.4-billion bond issue. K-12 funding is what California needs to address. Let the colleges and universities make do for a while. Proposition 55 gets my “no” vote.

Duane Carter

Orange

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Re The Times’ poll showing Propositions 57 and 58 passing, Feb. 24: The bleating sound you hear is the sheep-like voters on their way to be shorn because they believe Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s ads, paid for by Wall Street brokers. With the wool pulled over their eyes, they can’t see that it is they who will pay a lot for a long time to keep taxes low for the very rich.

Mike Lawrence

San Diego