Governor, Assembly Speaker propose billions in school facilities bonds
Published: March 1, 2006
In January, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger revealed his budget proposal for 2006-07, including a Strategic Growth Plan to address California’s infrastructure needs for the next 20 years. In addition to addressing highways, hospitals and bridges, the governor’s plan also includes significant funds for schools, starting with a $7 billion general obligation school facilities bond measure that is proposed for the June 2006 ballot.
The governor’s education infrastructure proposals resemble those introduced by Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez, but with a few key differences:
The governor’s $7 billion proposal includes $1 billion for charter schools, $1 billion for career technical education facilities, and $500 million to develop and renovate small high schools.
The $10.8 billion bond proposed by Assembly Democrats includes about $6.5 billion for K-12, with $2.7 billion for new school construction and $2.7 billion for renovation. The proposal allocates $1.1 billion for charter schools, seismic safety and career technology facilities. Of the remaining $4.3 billion, $1.5 billion would go toward the facility needs of California Community Colleges, $1.4 billion to the University of California and $1.4 billion to the California State University system.
Both of these proposals will be subject to negotiation and amendment processes this spring, and it is likely that the final bond measure that goes before the voters will lie somewhere in between the two described above.
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