Proposition 55: Bad Schools or Bad Debt?

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Historically, school bonds have been an easy sell in California, but Proposition 55 may be in trouble on next week's ballot. There-s no doubt that school buildings are old, overcrowded and ill-adapted to modern technology, and that children need desks to sit at, bathrooms that work, and roofs that don-t leak. But Prop 55 has been overshadowed by Governor Schwarzenegger-s financial package, and opponents argue the state can-t afford $12.3 billion in additional debt to build new schools and improve old ones from kindergarten to the University of California. We hear opposing views from the presidents of the California PTA and the California Republican Assembly. Making News: California and the Democratic Presidential Race The race for the Democratic nomination has moved the biggest state in the US and one of those voting in next week's -Super Tuesday.- Despite today's Field Poll that shows John Kerry leading John Edwards with 60% to 19% of those polled, Edwards says he'll stay in the race. Bruce Cain, who directs UC Berkeley's Institute for Government Studies, explains why that benefits the Democrats and what it will take to force him to get out. Reporter's Notebook: Selling the Los Angeles Brand to the Highest Bidder Like all municipalities, LA needs money, but it doesn-t have much to sell except its name. So, why not do as New York has done with Snapple, now the official drink of the Big Apple, or San Diego, where Pepsi has exclusive rights to the city-s vending machines? City Councilman Eric Garcetti has enlisted USC graduate students to research the idea.
Historically, school bonds have been an easy sell in California, but Proposition 55 may be in trouble on next week's ballot. There-s no doubt that school buildings are old, overcrowded and ill-adapted to modern technology, and that children need desks to sit at, bathrooms that work, and roofs that don-t leak. But Prop 55 has been overshadowed by Governor Schwarzenegger-s financial package, and opponents argue the state can-t afford $12.3 billion in additional debt to build new schools and improve old ones from kindergarten to the University of California. We hear opposing views from the presidents of the California PTA and the California Republican Assembly.
  • Making News: California and the Democratic Presidential Race
    The race for the Democratic nomination has moved the biggest state in the US and one of those voting in next week's -Super Tuesday.- Despite today's Field Poll that shows John Kerry leading John Edwards with 60% to 19% of those polled, Edwards says he'll stay in the race. Bruce Cain, who directs UC Berkeley's Institute for Government Studies, explains why that benefits the Democrats and what it will take to force him to get out.
  • Reporter's Notebook: Selling the Los Angeles Brand to the Highest Bidder
    Like all municipalities, LA needs money, but it doesn-t have much to sell except its name. So, why not do as New York has done with Snapple, now the official drink of the Big Apple, or San Diego, where Pepsi has exclusive rights to the city-s vending machines? City Councilman Eric Garcetti has enlisted USC graduate students to research the idea.

Presidential candidates (KCRW Election Connection)

Field Poll on Democratic primary and match-up with President Bush

Prop 55: Kindergarten-University Public Education Facilities Bond Act of 2004

California Business Roundtable on Prop 55

Field Poll on Prop 55

Fitch Ratings

LA Times article on the selling of the LA 'brand'

NYC-Snapple deal

San Diego-Pepsi deal

Credits

Host:

Warren Olney

Producer:

Frances Anderton