Voters Oppose Local Bond Measure In Early Prop 5 Results

CALIFORNIA — Voters in the November election have decided whether to make it easier to pass local bond measures in California. The polls in California are now closed and the results are currently being tallied.

As of 9:42 a.m. Wednesday, with all precincts reporting, the no votes were leading with 55.8 percent.

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Proposition 5 would amend the state Constitution to lower the supermajority vote required by voters to finance affordable housing and infrastructure projects in their communities. Currently, two-thirds voter approval is required to pass local bond measures proposed by cities, counties and special districts in the Golden State.

Real-time results for Proposition 5

Scroll down to view the full statewide results. This information will be updated throughout the night. Be sure to refresh the page for the latest.

A "yes" vote on Prop. 5 would lower the vote threshold from 66.67 percent to 55 percent for local bond measures that fund housing projects and public infrastructure. A "no" vote would maintain the two-thirds vote requirement.

Prop. 5 would make it easier for local governments to borrow money for subsidized housing, downpayment assistance programs and infrastructure projects such as hospitals, parks and police stations. The amendment would also require local jurisdictions to conduct an annual audit to ensure that funds are being used according to their intended purposes.

If the proposition passes, it would apply to all future local bonds as well as any local bond measures that are on the Nov. 5 ballot.

State lawmakers voted to place the proposition on the ballot. Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, a Democrat from Winters, authored the legislative constitutional amendment.
"ACA 1 will level the playing field and create parity between school districts and cities, counties, and special districts, so that all local governments have a variable financing tool to address community needs," Aguiar-Curry said. "It also contains various transparency and accountability measures, including an expenditure plan of projects and programs proposed, audits, and monitoring by a citizens' commission to assure resources are being spent as proposed."

The California Democratic Party is among the proponents of the proposition. The proposition is also supported by various organizations and public unions, including the California Labor Federation, State Building and Construction Trades Council of California, California Professional Firefighters, League of Women Voters of California, and Habitat for Humanity California.

Supporters argue the amendment would make it easier for communities to build affordable housing and critical infrastructure projects.

"As Californians, it is our right to tell the government how it should spend our taxpayer funds," said Jesse Arreguin, mayor of Berkeley and vice president of the Association of Bay Area Governments. "If a majority of people believe that general obligation bonds should be issued for critical housing and infrastructure needs, then it should not be blocked by a minority. People may not always agree on everything, but our democratic system allows us to debate the best path forward and collectively implement the will of the people.

"Prop. 5 will give more control to the voters in how our money is spent, while making it easier to address some of the most critical issues of our time."

Several business and taxpayer groups, including the California Chamber of Commerce, oppose the proposition. Opponents such as Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, a nonprofit lobbying and policy organization, argue the amendment would lead to higher property taxes in California.

"The November ballot measure gets around Proposition 13's limitations on property tax increases by making it easier for local governments to pass bonds, a method of borrowing money that is then paid back — with interest — by adding extra charges to property tax bills, sometimes for decades," said Susan Shelley, vice president of communications for the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association. "When property taxes rise, there's little consideration of a homeowner's ability to pay, or any hardship or disability. If people fall behind on their property taxes, their homes can be sold out from under them."

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