School Proposition Not a Just Solution

* Proponents of school expansion are on target with their concerns for more, safer and better classroom space for California’s youth, ergo its future. They are, however, pursuing their wishes in an inequitable and unsound manner.

General obligation bonds are the cornerstones of government debt, and though proponents of them are safe in claiming that state taxes will not increase because of them, taxpayers can be guaranteed they will end up paying higher taxes whenever such bonds are sold.

Because principal and interest payments come from the state’s general fund, it is “obligated” to make the payments even if budget constraints force it to cut back funding to public services. With less funds, cities and counties are forced to create “special assessment districts” to generate money for services that were once paid for with money collected for and returned from the state’s general fund.

For their own well-being, voters should defeat Prop 203. The reason being money is necessary, but proponents of 203 are taking great pains to not raise any anxieties over the biggest contributor to that need--classroom overcrowding.

BRUCE ROLAND

Ojai