Among California’s 13 propositions for this election, the Kindergarten-University Public Education Facilities Bond Act, which would provide funding for K-12 and higher education facilities over the next two years, is weighing heavy on the hearts of college officials this November.
Last June, the University of California Board of Regents endorsed the proposition, also known as Proposition 1D, which would grant $10.4 billion to education, namely $345 million per year to the University of California for facilities programs and an additional $200 million over the two-year period to expand the University’s medical scvhools and enhance telemedicine programs.
Of the $345 million set aside for the 10 UC campuses, $94.5 million would be allocated to UCSD to enable the campus to progress on important building projects and improve existing facilities, a UCSD press release stated.
Projects include $75.1 million for classrooms, research labs and offices at the Structural and Materials Engineering Building, $13.1 million for renovations of the 43-year-old Mayer Hall, $2.2 million of equipment for the Music Building, $1 million for the second phase of the Rady School of Management facility and $3.2 million for improvements to the campus’ chilled water and electrical distribution systems, the release stated.
Across the state, the bonds would provide a remedy to overcrowded public K-12, college and university classrooms which house 75 percent more students than they were designed for, according to a UC Office of the President press release.
Furthermore, the California Postsecondary Education Commission estimates 64,000 more students to enter the University of California by 2010.
Along with enrollment growth, the proposition plans to address seismic and life safety needs, renewal of outdated infrastructure and upgrading university facilities in scientific fields, according to the UCOP. Funds would also allow the university to continue construction plans for its campus at Merced.
Opponents of Prop. 1D, including the California Taxpayer Protection Committee and California Political Review, believe that the bond is too large and argue that it would add to California’s $100-billion debt.
“California is facing the most severe financial crisis in its history,” Executive Director for the California Taxpayer Protection Committee Thomas Hudson stated in a Legislative Analysts Office report. “The Legislature has squandered the opportunity to build new schools with the astounding 23 percent growth in tax revenues over the past three years.”
Although the proposition costs $10.4 billion, supporters call it a wise investment in California’s future.
Readers can contact Serena Renner at [email protected].
