School measure gets a narrow victory

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 propositions 57 and 58, were 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.

The passage of Proposition 57 likely saved Laguna Beach property

tax revenue that could have been lost, Mayor Cheryl Kinsman said.

City Manager Ken Frank also described the passage of Prop. 57 as

good news. He said he expects the measure will help the state as a

whole -- though he did not cite any particular gains for Laguna Beach

that could arise from the measure.

“It’s still real positive and I’m happy that the state will be

able to sell bonds at a lower rate,” he said, adding if the measure

did not pass, the state may have become mired in litigation over

whether bonds could be sold at higher rates.

The passage of Prop. 57 does not ensure the state will not take

additional property tax revenue from cities. The governor will issue

a revised budget plan in May, and the budget must ultimately be

approved by the legislature.

“We don’t know what’s going to happen in Sacramento,” Kinsman

said.

“We’re hoping they don’t take any more from cities,” she added.

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.

In addition to ballot initiatives and candidates, Orange County

voters were also faced with new electronic voting systems. Poll

volunteer and Laguna resident Carolyn Winfield said the new

computerized ballots did not present too much of a problem for the

more computer-savvy voters who showed up to the poll.

“It seemed to go real smooth. People were more afraid of it than

they needed to be,” she said.

In her eyes, the bigger problem was what she saw as a low turnout.

“I think there’s a lot of apathy toward voting,” Winfield said.

-- Coastline Pilot staff