SAN DIEGO UNION TRIBUNE
Monday, Oct. 7, 2002

Yes on 46, 47, 50

Three bond issues on the November ballot would provide money for water, education and housing projects, all of which are needed if California is to keep up with its growing population. In these times of multibillion-dollar state budget deficits, California doesn't have any money to spend on necessary capital projects except through the bond market. ...

Proposition 47 would provide $13 billion in bond money for public schools throughout the state, from kindergarten through universities. The kindergarten through high school money, $11 billion, would go to construction of new schools and modernization of existing schools, with a big slice going to critically overcrowded schools. Of the remaining $1.6 billion, the biggest share would go to the community college system.

With California's skyrocketing population, which is especially acute among school-age children, we absolutely must continue to invest in educational facilities of all types. ...

Regarding California's bonded indebtedness, our state's credit rating remains strong, and we have room for quite a bit more debt before that would change. It makes eminent good sense to issue tax-exempt bonds to build the water, education and housing facilities that our growing population will need. Vote yes on Propositions 46, 47 and 50.

© Copyright 2002 Union-Tribune Publishing Co.