School measure gets a narrow victory

Schools will get much-needed matching funds from the state, voters

decided by a slim margin Tuesday.

Although Orange County voted it down, California voters narrowly

passed Proposition 55, which will provide $12.3 billion to California

schools to improve facilities, by 50.6%.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s bond measure to bail out the state

received much more overwhelming support, with Proposition 57, the

$15-billion bond plan to pay off the states deficit, garnering 63.3%

and its companion measure, Proposition 58, which would require a

balanced budget and rainy day reserve fund garnering 71%.

The passage of Proposition 55 was crucial to Huntington Beach

Union High school District, which passed a bond of its own Tuesday.

Measure C, which passed with 57% of the vote, is a $228-million

bond to patch up aging schools. The bond’s project list includes

plans to make improvements on all eight of the of the district’s high

schools.

“It’s wonderful that they both passed,” trustee Bonnie Castrey

said. “What that means is our Measure C dollars will go that much

further.”

The passage of propositions 57 and 58, were also good news for

schools as they would clear the way for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s

proposed budget, which spares schools from deep cuts.

Local cities will breathe a little easier, too, with the passage

of Proposition 57.

“In my view, it’s a first step in the state reconciling its very

difficult financial situation,” Assistant City Administrator Bill

Workman said. “For Huntington Beach, it’s positive because we’re tied

to the state’s finances and the sooner the state gets its financial

house in order, the sooner we can see financial stability return to

Huntington Beach.”

If the bond hadn’t passed, the state would have probably made

significant cuts to local government, he added.

“It actually has the impact of limiting the amount of money the

state ultimately would take away from us,” Workman said.

Proposition 56, which would have lowered the legislative majority

needed to pass budget and tax issues and cut compensation to the

Legislature and governor for every day the budget is late, lost with

a resounding 65% no vote.