---

CSU trustees endorse Proposition 47

---

At its May 2002 meeting, the Board of Trustees of The California State University unanimously endorsed a resolution supporting the K-16 education facilities bond that will appear on the November 2002 and March 2004 election ballots. On Nov. 5, 2002, voters will be asked to approve Proposition 47, a $13.05 billion bond, to build classrooms, libraries and laboratories, as well as additional construction and technological upgrades.

The CSU system, as well as the rest of public education in California, relies on voter-approved state education bond measures like Proposition 47 to fund most of its facility needs, since those typically are not funded through the state budget. If approved by a majority of state voters, the cost of Proposition 47 would be paid from state revenues, not through tax increases.

The successful passage of Proposition 47 will relieve overcrowding, make safety repairs and upgrade California's elementary, middle and high schools, community colleges and universities. In the coming years, nearly 1 million new students will be entering California's already crowded schools. California's state colleges and universities alone are expecting more than 700,000 new students by 2010. In addition, Proposition 47 will provide funds to repair and upgrade many older schools and facilities, including university laboratories and research facilities.

Of the $13 billion in school projects funded under Prop. 47, $11.4 billion would go toward K-12 education to relieve overcrowding, accommodate new students and upgrade aging school facilities. The remaining $1.65 billion would go toward California public higher education, including $496 million for projects in the 23-campus Cal State system.

On our own campus, if Proposition 47 is passed by voters, the university will receive $18.1 to upgrade our technology infrastructure. These funds will provide our campus with an up-to-date telecommunication system that will meet the long-term needs of the university in the areas of high-speed data networking, multimedia, distance- and Web-based learning. This upgrade is critical to our campus if we are to continue to meet the growing needs of our faculty, staff and students. If funded, the infrastructure project will allow us to realize at least a ten-fold increase in bandwidth for Internet access on our campus, and all campus and lecture rooms will be wired for Internet connectivity. In addition, the upgrading of our technology infrastructure will allow us to increase access for students in our region, and enhance academic programs and services.

In addition, the second bond measure that will appear on the March 2004 ballot, if successful, will provide our campus with funds for the expansion and renovation of the Henry Madden Library.

All the proceeds from Proposition 47 must be used for construction projects. Funds must be used to build new schools, reduce classroom overcrowding, repair older classrooms, construct laboratories and other facilities, wire for technology and address earthquake and other safety needs. All construction funds provided by Proposition 47 must comply with strict accountability requirements, including mandatory audits, in order to safeguard against waste and mismanagement.

While conceding that old and inadequate school facilities in California are a serious problem that needs to be addressed, opponents of Proposition 47 have argued that taking on more bond debt could harm the state's finances. They also have complained that the state school construction process takes too long for new schools to be built. Proponents of Proposition 47 have argued that students can't learn and teachers can't properly teach in overcrowded and rundown classrooms. They also contend the state needs new and renovated K-12 and higher education facilities to accommodate growing student enrollments predicted during the rest of this decade.

For additional information on the specific details of the education facilities bond, see Assembly Bill 16, the Kindergarten-University Public Education Facilities Bond Act of 2002 and 2004, signed by the Governor on April 26, 2002, and filed with the Secretary of State on April 29, 2002 (www.leginfo.ca.gov).

A complete analysis of Proposition 47, including arguments filed for and against the bond measure, is available online at www.lao.ca.gov/initiatives/qryPropositions_by_election_11-2002.asp.

Back to University Journal, 09/03/02 Issue