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CALIFORNIA READING AND LITERACY IMPROVEMENT AND PUBLIC LIBRARY CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION BOND ACT OF 2006.
Legislative Bond Act.

THE QUESTION

Should the state borrow $600 million through the sale of general obligation bonds to provide 65 percent of the cost of projects for constructing and renovating local public libraries?

THE SITUATION

Public libraries are generally built and operated by cities, counties, and special districts. A similar measure for $350 million, The California Reading and Literacy Improvement and Public Library Construction and Renovation Bond Act of 2000, funded 45 projects. The funds from that measure are mostly spent.

A 2003 California State Library survey estimated that $4.4 billion is needed for 579 library projects. Projects would include technological upgrading, seismic retrofitting and structural repairs, and expansion of facilities to keep pace with population growth. The funds from Proposition 81 would meet a portion of those needs.

THE PROPOSAL

Proposition 81 would:

• authorize the sale of $600 million in general obligation bonds to fund a library construction and renovation program, with 35 percent in matching funds contributed by local government agencies
• give priority to eligible applications that were submitted but not funded under Proposition 14 (2000); no more than $300 million of the new funding would be reserved for these applications
• reserve $25 million for "joint use" projects serving both a library and a public education institution (such as a school district or college)
• establish a seven-member board to review project applications, with the State Librarian as administrator of projects.

FISCAL EFFECT

The total cost to the state's General Fund is estimated to be $1.2 billion over 30 years, according to the Legislative Analyst. Local agencies would contribute 35 percent in matching funds. After completion, the additional annual operating costs for local agencies could total several million dollars statewide.

WHAT A YES OR NO VOTE MEANS

A YES vote means that $600 million in general obligation bonds could be sold to provide grants for construction, renovation or expansion of local public libraries.

A NO vote means that these bonds would not be sold.

SUPPORTERS SAY

• Proposition 81 invests in our local communities wisely; it does not raise our taxes, the funds cannot be used for local administrative costs, and the 35 percent matching fund requirement maximizes the use of limited state funding.
• We need to invest in literacy and life-long learning. Illiteracy is often passed from generation to generation, and adult illiteracy hurts our economic competitiveness.

OPPONENTS SAY

• Bond financing ties up our taxes for 30 years, even if the technological improvements become obsolete or if the economy collapses.
• Local governments that cannot raise 35 percent in matching funds cannot participate, but taxpayers will still pay for projects in other communities through their state taxes.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

PRO: 916-786-7605, www.yesforlibraries.com

CON: 916-991-9300, www.protecttaxpayers.com