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School Services of California, Inc.
Community College Update
November 6, 1996
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Initiatives Not Kind to Education

While no school bond made it onto this November's ballot, several initiatives had either direct or indirect impact upon public education in the state.

Top Bracket Income Tax Hike Loses

The narrow failure of Proposition 217, which would have increased the top income taxes for Californians with incomes over $100,000 failed narrowly, meaning that a windfall of several hundred million dollars annually will not be flowing into Proposition 98 coffers for distribution out to California's K-14 public schools.

"Right to Vote on Taxes Act" (Prop. 218) Takes Swipe at MADs

The passage of this initiative means that K-14 school districts face nearly insurmountable hurdles in establishing Maintenance Assessment Districts to collect revenues for services rendered to the community (see UPDATE 4/12/96 article.... However, a number of K-12 school districts used the November 5 ballot to receive voter approval of established MADs. Without this prior approval, the new, stricter rules would be in effect when the districts go to the electorate for approval as mandated by the initiative. The Los Angeles Community College District placed their controversial proposed MAD on the November 5 ballot in the form of an advisory (to determine voter opinion), it failed. Almost 67% of the voters said no to the levying of any assessments.

California Civil Rights Initiative (Proposition 209)

This contentious "wedge" initiative, ending state and local governments' ability to offer affirmative action on the basis of race, gender, color, ethnicity or national origin, passed easily. However, as of this date, two lawsuits have been filed regarding this initiative -- one to delay it and one to expedite it -- and Governor Pete Wilson is expected to soon weigh in on the side of immediate action. Stay tuned.

Prison Bond Fares Miserably

The $700 million prison bond issue collected only 41% of the vote, a horrendous showing, particularly when compared to the 62% voter approval in March for the $3 billion school bond, Proposition 203. If ever there has been evidence as to where the California electorates' preference is regarding the allocation of resources, this should be it. And as for the Veteran's and the Clean Water bonds, traditionally the only bond types to garner more support than those for K-14 education: The Veteran's Bond, Proposition 206, collected 54% of the vote; the Clean Water Bond, Proposition 204, carried 63% of the voters.

-- Arnold Bray and Bob Blattner
[Posted 11/5/96]