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Nonpartisan Pros & Cons of

PROPOSITION 12

SAFE NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS, CLEAN WATER, CLEAN AIR, AND COASTAL PROTECTION BOND ACT OF 2000.

Legislative Bond Act

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)?

THE SITUATION

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 the previous successful bond acts are mostly spent or committed to specific projects.

THE PROPOSAL

This proposition authorizes the state to sell $2.1 billion of general obligation bonds to fund many designated programs. 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

General Fund revenues would be used to pay the principal and interest costs on these general obligation bonds over 25 years. The Legislative Analysts reports that the program would cost about $3.6 billion over that period, with payments of about $144 million per year.

The state and local governments that buy or improve property with Proposition 12 bond money will incur the additional costs to operate or manage these properties.

SUPPORTERS SAY

  • Proposition 12 will help make our parks safer, keep our water free of pollution, improve air quality, and preserve our natural resources.
  • This proposition does not raise taxes; it uses existing state revenues, and provides for annual audits and citizen review to ensure all funds are spent as promised.

OPPONENTS SAY

  • Your family will not see the benefits from this proposal; it is primarily for land located in inaccessible, remote areas.
  • If these projects were sufficiently important to fund, the State Legislature could have done so with surplus tax money.

For more information:
Supporters: (916) 313-4538, www.parks2000.org
Opponents: (916) 445-9781, www.rayhaynes.org/bonds.html

Analysis prepared by the League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
for the March 7, 2000 Election.


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