California GOP Initiative Committee voted to endorse; delegates are considering now
The California Republican Party is considering endorsing Proposition 2, a bond initiative authorizing the state to borrow $10 billion to fund repairs and upgrades to California public schools.
The California Legislature already weighed in and passed legislation to put the measure on the ballot… even as California has a nearly $80 billion budget deficit, and taxpayer fatigue over the thought of additional taxes.
Public school enrollment in California has declined by 500,000 students, and is slated to lose 1 million students by 2025. “Proposition 2 commits California to pay an estimated $18 billion, including interest, for school buildings that may not even be necessary,” the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association warns.
Last month the California Legislature voted to pass AB 247, which authorized the $10 billion bond measure for the November ballot as Proposition 2. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed AB 247 into law July 3, 2024.
Some Republicans voted to pass AB 247 to place it on the ballot.
Assembly Republican Leader Leader Gallagher and Assembly Floor Leader Heath Flora voted to pass the bill. Senate Republican Leader Brian Jones did not.
In the California Assembly, only Assemblyman Bill Essayli (R-Riverside) voted “no” on AB 247. Some Republicans abstained from the vote or did not cast a vote at all.
In the California Senate, besides Republican Minority Leader Brian Jones, Republican Senators Brian Dahle and Kelly Seyarto voted no. Others abstained or did not cast a vote.
So, what is going on behind the scenes to get Republicans to support a bond initiative for more school spending and increased property taxes?
Everything is economic.
According to a Republican Party activist, the way this unfolded is the California Teachers Association approached legislative leadership with the bond initiative proposal, and pledged funding as long as the CAGOP approved.
The Globe contacted Leader Gallagher’s office for comment on this bill and initiative. We did not hear back but will update the article when we do.
Another Capitol source said the California Building Industry Association is the primary bill sponsor.
But is the motive funding? Is this a quid pro quo – Legislative leaders receive contributions for their support via independent expenditure committees, which they in turn use for their caucuses to help win elections?
According to the bill author Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance), the “School Facility Program” is a partnership between the state, school districts, and developers for “much needed” school funding.
It’s no surprise that the California Teachers Association supports AB 247/Prop. 2 saying, “This important bond represents a significant commitment to K-12 schools by providing $8.5 billion to provide both new construction as well as modernization of California’s schools, including addressing lead in water, extreme heat mitigation, transitional kindergarten facility needs and career technical education facilities. The bond also provides $1.5 billion for essential community college facilities. California’s schools and community colleges need major upgrades to ensure that students are learning in adequate conditions. With previous school bond funds nearly depleted, our schools and community colleges are in need of a new school facilities bond.”
How can the Republican Party support a bill liked by the California Teachers Union, which has destroyed public education in California? Need new leadership in the Republican Party. If you are fiscally conservative, you need to just vote no on every spending proposition. Bonds are not the same as typical government spending because income from you and me in property taxes pays for each bond. And with the new proposition that will emasculate Prop 13’s 2/3rds limits (government is hoping by keeping it out of the title that the public won’t notice), property taxes in California will skyrocket. The price of properties will likely decline somewhat, but no one with a middle class income will be able to afford the $30-$50K per year tax bill.
Amen to that. Voting no on all spending/tax propositions. Simply no faith in CA government/educational system at ANY level.
They want to hide sex assignment, use abusive pronoun junk and now want more money for it?
UUUHHHHHHHHHHH WHY?
They really do think you voters are that dumb.