Sacramento CA: The Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce has announced their position on Proposition 13: The Public Preschool, K–12 and College Health and Safety Bond Act, schedule to be on the March 3, 2020 primary election ballot.

SUPPORT

The Public Preschool, K-12 and College Health and Safety Bond Act of 2020 will appear as Proposition 13—which should not be confused with the landmark Proposition 13 measure passed in 1978, which cut property taxes. The Proposition 13 measure appearing in March proposes a $15 billion general obligation bond, approved by the Legislature and Governor. Proceeds of the bond would be used to support construction and rehabilitation of instructional and support facilities for public schools, colleges and universities.

If approved by voters, this measure would spend $9 billion on K–12 facilities, and $2 billion each for the Community College, California State University (CSU) and University of California (UC) systems.

The K–12 spending would be allocated for new construction ($2.8 billion), modernization/rehabilitation of old facilities ($5.2 billion, including $150 million to remediate lead infiltration in school plumbing), career-technical education facilities ($500 million), and charter schools ($500 million). The measure also provides immediate relief, such as temporary facilities, for schools affected by natural disasters (such as recent wildfires).

For higher education, the measure prioritizes deferred maintenance, seismic and safety issues. It also requires the UC and CSU systems to adopt five-year affordable student housing plans.

The schools bond will help moderate the cost of new housing by preventing new local mitigation fees, as without new state funding, builders who pay fees to mitigate school impacts will see those fees double or triple as school districts demand full mitigation. Depending on the jurisdiction, school impact fees could increase by $15,000 or more per unit over what is currently being paid.

Position: Support

Logged: December 17, 2020

Chamber Action Taken: Approved by Executive Action (Platform)