Copyright© 1999 by School Services of California, Inc.
There's More than Just the Majority Vote
Bond Initiative on the March Ballot
Though public education focuses very properly on the opportunity for schools to have a majority vote for local construction bonds, there is more on the March ballot than just Proposition 26. Also of interest to public schools are proposals for:
· Proposition 14CPublic Library Construction and Renovation Bond Act
· Proposition 17CCharitable Raffles
· Proposition 20CInstructional Materials Allocations from the California State Lottery
· Proposition 23C"None of the Above" Ballot Designation
Proposition 14CPublic Library Construction and Renovation Bond Act of 2000
This proposition would allow the State of California to sell $350 million of general obligation bonds for local library facilities. Bond funds would be used for grants to local government to construct or renovate existing libraries and provide related furnishings and equipment.
The local agency would apply to the state for grants of between $50,000 and $20 million and a six-member state board would adopt policies for the program and decide which agencies would receive grants. In determining their allocations, priorities would be given to those that are joint use facilities, where the library would serve both the community and a particular school district or Districts.
The "Yes on Proposition 14" campaign committee, Californians for Literacy and Community Libraries, identifies the priority funding that would be given to schools and library partnerships. They are asking for support for their efforts and indicate that they may be contacted at 916/737-9331.
Proposition 17CCharitable Raffles
This proposition amends the State Constitution to allow private nonprofit groups to conduct raffles under certain conditions. To qualify, at least 90% of the gross receipts from the raffle must go directly to charitable purposes in California and that any person who receives compensation from operation of the raffle must be an employee of the organization conducting the raffle. The Legislature may adopt reasonable regulations, including regulatory fees to supervise raffle provisions.
Under provisions of the Constitutional Amendment, raffles that require payment for a chance to win a prize would be legalized in California.
Proposition 20CInstructional Materials Allocations from the California State Lottery
The Legislature adopted in 1998 a ballot measure that would amend the State Constitution to require that one-half of the future growth in lottery funds that go to K-14 public schools must be spent on instructional materials. Funds from the proposition would not change the way the base lottery funds are allocated to public education nor the way that the other one-half of growth monies are allocated.
The Legislative Analyst estimates that $43.5 million would have been dedicated to instructional material if the initiative had been in effect and applicable for the 1999-2000 fiscal year.
Proposition 23C"None of the Above" Ballot Designation
The state would add to election ballots for federal and state offices a new provision that would give voters the option of selecting "none of the above." Under the measure, however, only votes cast for candidates whose names appear on the ballot or write-in candidates would be counted when determining the nomination or election of candidates for state and federal offices. The number of voters selecting "none of the above" would be reported in the official election return, but would not affect the outcome of the election.
The provision would apply to all statewide elections, including the Superintendent of Public Instruction, and to all candidates that are seeking office as members of the State Assembly or State Senate.
Additional information on all of California's propositions is available in the Legislative Analyst's Office, at their website, www.lao.ca.gov.
-- Ken Hall