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California
Once again, poll finds California voters are ignorant on budget
In 2016, California voters approved Proposition 51, a $9 billion bond measure that was touted as needed “to preserve students’ access to safe, modern classrooms” by paying for repairs and upgrades.
Most voters were unaware that this measure was placed on the ballot not by lawmakers but by the construction industry.
Few questioned it. Had they done so, they would have discovered that,
according to the San Francisco Chronicle, “Instead of prioritizing
projects for needy communities, the state will dole out these bond
proceeds the way it always has: on a first-come, first-served basis.
Scores of well-off districts are already in line, and small,
impoverished ones have no one in their corner helping them navigate the
complicated application process. That means some worthy repair projects
may never see a dime.”
A proposal was just introduced by State
Senators Steve Glazer and Ben Allen, for the 2018 ballot. The measure
would authorize the sale of $2 billion in general obligation bonds
specifically for higher education facilities.
In reference
to this proposed 2018 measure, CSPP will be looking into University of
California salaries, pensions and benefits to learn how much they
account for in the tax dollars currently being spent.
The reason
for this background in the recent history and proposed future of funding
for education in California is the article posted below, by Dan
Walters. It clearly outlines the disparity between what the voters
believe to be true and what is actually happening with their money. Please note the links to both the poll that was conducted and the current state budget.
Education is obviously a top priority for most voters but it is vital to look behind the headlines and to be fully aware of where your tax dollars are actually going.
Too often it is to fill the gap created by unfunded retiree debt.
CLICK HERE to read the article in the Sacramento Bee, by Dan Walters.