Politics & Government

What Is Proposition 51? Voter Guide for 2016 California Measures

Proposition 51, the schools bond measure, has bipartisan support. Its chief opponents are Jerry Brown and a taxpayers group.

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LOS ANGELES, CA — Proposition 51 asks voters to authorize $9 billion in bonds for the construction and modernization of public, charter and vocational schools and community colleges.

If it passes, the state would pay off the bonds over 35 years at a cost of roughly $17.6 billion in principal and interest. The measure boasts widespread bipartisan support from legislators, unions, school districts and the California Republican and Democratic parties. Proponents say it would make schools safer and improve the quality of education and jobs in California.

It's most notable opponents are Gov. Jerry Brown and California Taxpayers and Educators Opposed to Sprawl and Developer Abuse. They contend it would plunge California deep into debt without accountability. The money could be used to disproportionately benefit the affluent, they contend.

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"I am against the developers' $9-billion bond," Brown said, according to the LA Times. "It's a blunderbuss effort that promotes sprawl and squanders money that would be far better spent in low-income communities."

According to Ballotpedia, the money would be divided up for a number of uses including:

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  • $3 billion for the construction of new school facilities;
  • $500 million for providing school facilities for charter schools;
  • $3 billion for the modernization of school facilities;
  • $500 million for providing facilities for career technical education programs; and
  • $2 billion for acquiring, constructing, renovating, and equipping community college facilities

For more on all of California's measures, see below:

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