As we move towards the next election day on Nov. 4, fiscal measures will start to come to the fore. This time around the San Mateo Community College District is looking for less than the last time. The Daily Journal has come out in favor here. They believe
Though $388 million is no small sum, it shows the district’s willingness to scale back plans and complete just essential projects. With this bond, Cañada College will get a new science building and Skyline College will get a multi-disciplinary building. Labs and classrooms will be modernized or constructed to poise the district and its students for the future. Basic infrastructure will be addressed and technology will be updated for modern teaching.
It should be interesting to see how people are feeling about bond measures in general. A key element will be how many are on the ballot and which ones appear first to avoid bond fatigue in the booth.
Speaking of bonds, here's what may be coming down the pike in Burlingame. There will be public opposition to any general obligation bonds/assessed value taxes (which unfairly penalize newer property owners):
http://www.scribd.com/doc/239538682/Burlingame-Unfunded-Infrastructure-Funding-and-Tax-Options
Posted by: Account Deleted | September 12, 2014 at 07:13 AM
I should have mentioned the link above is a staff report being presented at this coming Monday's City Council meeting.
Posted by: Account Deleted | September 12, 2014 at 07:15 AM
Back on the college front, the DJ has this article today
What is the mission of the San Mateo County Community College District?
That answer is the crux of the debate over its $388 million bond measure on the Nov. 5 ballot with one camp — the district — saying the funds will be used to modernize its three campuses and put students in a better position to enter the workforce or transfer to a four-year university. The other — represented by vocal opponent Maxine Terner — argues a two-year degree system needn’t spend millions of dollars on infrastructure like a new theater and gym. Instead, she said the district should focus on what happens inside the classroom and not spend lavishly on items not directly linked to teaching. Terner, a former San Mateo planning commissioner, learned of the bond measure too late to oppose it on the ballot, where the official opposition is from the Silicon Valley Taxpayers Association.
The full bit is here: http://www.smdailyjournal.com/articles/lnews/2014-10-14/college-bond-drawing-new-critical-view-chancellor-takes-issue-with-vocal-foe-and-says-modernization-needed/1776425131592.html
Posted by: Joe | October 14, 2014 at 05:53 PM