THE QUESTION Should the state borrow $2.1 billion through the sale of general obligation bonds for state and local projects that acquire, improve, and preserve recreational, cultural, and natural areas (such as parks, wildlife habitats, community centers and zoos)? PROVISIONS This measure would finance programs designed to protect land around lakes, rivers, streams and the coast to improve water quality and ensure clean drinking water; to protect forests and plant trees to improve air quality; to preserve open space and farmland threatened by unplanned development; to protect wildlife habitats; and to repair and improve the safety of state and neighborhood parks, as follows:
The state is required to pay the principal and interest cost of these bonds from General Fund revenues. The bond money will be available to various state agencies and for grants and loans to local agencies and nonprofit associations, to be repaid with interest. BACKGROUND The state acquires, develops and improves recreational areas (such as parks and beaches), cultural areas (such as historic buildings and museums), and natural areas (such as wilderness, trails, wildlife habitat, and the coast). The state also provides grants to local governments for those purposes. The last park bond act approved by the voters was an initiative measure for $776 million in bonds in June 1988. Park bond measures put on the ballot by the legislature in 1990 (for $437 million) and by initiative in 1994 (for $2 billion) failed passage. Funds authorized by previous bond acts are mostly spent or committed to specific projects. The bond act gives emphasis to urbanized areas, providing special funds to heavily urbanized areas, including funds for urban conservation corps, recreation for at-risk youth, open space protection in fast growing suburbs, and protection of remaining wildlife areas in some of our fastest growing counties. About $940 million of the bond money would be granted to local agencies for local recreational, cultural, and natural areas. The remaining $1.16 billion would be used by the state for recreational, cultural, and natural areas of statewide significance. FISCAL EFFECT According to the Legislative Analyst, the total estimated state cost would be $3.6 billion over 25 years ($2.1 billion in principal and $1.5 billion in interest). Payments would be about $144 million per year. The state and local governments that buy or improve property with these bond funds will incur additional costs to operate or manage these properties. These costs may be offset partly by revenues from those properties, such as entrance fees. However, the additional costs could potentially be in the tens of millions of dollars annually. IMPACT OF YES OR NO VOTE A YES vote means the state could sell $2.1 billion in bonds for state and local projects that acquire, improve, and preserve recreational, cultural, and natural areas (such as parks, wildlife habitats, community centers and zoos). A NO vote means the state could not sell bonds for these purposes. SUPPORTERS SAY
OPPONENTS SAY
SUPPORTERS and OPPONENTS The official ballot arguments in support are signed by Robert Stephens, Chair, National Audubon Society-California; Assembly Speaker Antonio Villaraigosa, Chair, Californians for Safe Parks; Allan Zaremberg, President, California Chamber of Commerce; Gail Dryden, President, League of Women Voters of California; Jacqueline Antee, State President, American Association of Retired Persons; and Larry McCarthy, President, California Taxpayers' Association. Other supporters mentioned in the ballot arguments include National Wildlife Federation, California Organization of Police and Sheriffs, National Parks and Conservation Association, Congress of California Seniors, Sierra Club, Clean Water Action, Coalition for Clean Air, State Treasurer Philip Angelides, and Governor Gray Davis. The official ballot arguments in opposition are signed by Ray Haynes, California Senator; Brett Granlund, California Assemblyman; Lewis K. Uhler, President, The National Tax-Limitation Committee; and Carl McGill, Chairman, Black Chamber of Commerce of Los Angeles County. For more information: Supporters: Bryan Blum, Californians for Safe Neighborhood Parks and Clean Water, 916-313-4538, email blum@safeparks.org, www.parks2000.org Opponents: Senator Ray Haynes, 916-445-9781, email bonds@rayhaynes.org, www.rayhaynes.org/bonds.html
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