See Also: Index of all Measures

This measure would authorize the San Mateo County Community College District to issue bonds in the amount of $148 million with an interest rate not to exceed the legal maximum. The bonds shall mature in no more than 25 years. The Board of Trustees has listed the specified purposes of the bonds to be: (1) upgrading computer and science labs; (2) repairing leaky roofs; (3) removing asbestos; (4) making seismic upgrades; (5) retrofitting classrooms; (6) improving access for the disabled; (7) improving safety on campuses and (8) making other real property acquisitions an improvements.

Meaning of Voting Yes/No

A YES vote of this measure means:

A "yes" vote on this measure would authorize San Mateo County Community College District to issue bonds in the amount of $148 million for the specified purposes of (1) upgrading computer and science labs; (2) repairing leaking roofs; (3) removing asbestos; (4) making seismic upgrades; (5) retrofitting classrooms; (6) improving access for the disabled; (7) improving safety on campuses and (8) making other real property acquisitions and improvements.

A NO vote of this measure means:

A "no" vote would prevent San Mateo County Community College District from issuing bonds of $148 million.

The Almanac

• Upgrading community colleges: Voters asked to approve $148 million bond measure 10/20/99
• Big bond measure focus of race 10/20/99

• Battle rages over college bond vote 9/22/99

The Colleges offer classes and training that are preparing students for four-year universities and the jobs of the 21st Century. Each year, thousands are educated in computer programming, science, health care, business, technology, journalism, aeronautics, and engineering.

Yet, the classrooms and facilities at the Colleges are over 30 years old. Funds to improve these facilities have been virtually nonexistent. Classrooms and buildings need to be upgraded and modernized to meet the needs of current and future San Mateo County students and improve the quality of education. Measure A funds will:

• Modernize computer and science labs;
• Repair leaky roofs;
• Remove asbestos;
• Improve disabled access;
• Renovate classroom space to improve job, technical and peace officer training programs;
• Modernize plumbing, heating and cooling systems;
• Expand library services available to the public at large;
• Improve lighting near buildings and parking lots to enhance safety;
• Make earthquake safety improvements.

An unprecedented group of business leaders, elected officials, labor leaders, educators, law enforcement and community members have endorsed Measure A. They understand that:

• Improved schools means an increase in property values for everyone;
• Well maintained colleges are vital for a healthy local economy;
• Community Colleges are an investment we must protect.

/s/ Anna Eshoo August 6, 1999
U.S. Congresswoman

/s/ Jackie Speier August 13, 1999
California State Senator

/s/ Don Horsley August 9, 1999
San Mateo County Sheriff

/s/ Floyd Gonella August 9, 1999
County Superintendent of Schools

/s/ Ruth K. Nagler August 16, 1999
Senior Advocate

Where did the money go?

• Since 1992, District property tax revenue growth far outpaced inflation; 70% to 22%.
• Bay Area sales tax revenue rose 36% from 1993 to 1997.
• County property tax revenue increased by almost 9% last year alone!

Coffee?? They compare the cost of this bond to 170,000,000 cups of coffee. So what?! There are only about 250 thousand families to pay for all that spending - $250 million in principle and interest. That's about $1000 on average per family in new taxes, no matter how you count it.

Forget something? The #1 use of Measure A funds - nearly half the total - would be interest payments.

This is NOT a referendum on the value of our community colleges. They will continue to be well funded by the taxes we already pay whether this measure passes or fails. Last year, SMCCCD got 11.5% of all property taxes collected.

This IS a vote on bonded indebtedness - passing costs to another generation of taxpayers, many of whom are too young to vote or haven't been born yet.

SAY NO TO DEBT! Vote No on Measure A!

/s/ Margret Buckley Schmidt August 23, 1999
Candidate, Community College District Governing Board

/s/ John J. Hickey August 25, 1999
Candidate, Community College District Governing Board

/s/ Vi Gotelli August 24, 1999
Former Mayor Pro-Tem, Pacifica

/s/ Christopher R. Inama August 23, 1999
Economics Professor

/s/ Wayne Harter August 23, 1999
Tax Preparer

Looking back: If trustees had set aside $2.7 million for each of the last 25 years - anticipating repairs - they would have had $148 million in the bank today (if invested at 6%). Every condominium association in California is required by law to plan this way. Responsible planners don't let property deteriorate and then ask residents to take out "second mortgages" after the fact.

Vote against irresponsible planning! Our community colleges are not presently encumbered with debt, and there is no reason to start down that road today.

Going into debt for 25 years to make repairs today is like starting a lifetime smoking habit to lose 10 pounds. And once politicians get into the bond debt habit they never quit.

Costs: Bond advocates want to blow $148 million now, and then spend over $10 million annually thereafter on investor payments for the next 25 years (totaling over $250 million). Most purchases would deteriorate before they're paid for!

Because bondholders are paid interest of roughly 5 1/2% every year, taxpayers would spend almost twice as much money for the same purchases as under a pay-as-you-go discipline. Every American who has ever declined a credit card knows this. Why don't the incumbents get it?

Looking forward: If - instead of going into debt - we simply budgeted $5.92 million of current revenue for maintenance and upgrades each year, we'd spend the same $148 million in total-and some of the equipment would be new every year. That's fair to every generation.

SAY NO TO DEBT!

/s/ Margret Buckley Schmidt August 1, 1999
Candidate, Community College District Governing Board

/s/ John J. Hickey August 3, 1999
Candidate, Community College District Governing Board

/s/ Lacy Nelson August 4, 1999
Chairman Pro Tem, Libertarian Party of San Mateo County

/s/ David L. Collins August 2, 1999
Resident, San Mateo Highlands

Our three Community Colleges serve the entire County. They provide classes and training to thousands who go on to four year universities, jobs in hi-tech or other professions, or others who wish to continue their education.

Yet classrooms and facilities are old and wearing out. The colleges were built with public funds nearly 40 years ago. To protect that investment for the future, we need to reinvest now.

What will Measure A yield?

• Modernized computer labs and the replacement of 1950's science equipment;
• Repairs to leaky roofs;
• Removal of asbestos;
• Disabled access improvements;
• Plumbing, heating and cooling systems meeting current building codes;
• Earthquake safety improvements;
• Renovation of classroom spaces.

That's less than the price of one cup of coffee - seniors who are long-time property owners pay even less! The opponent's claims of high costs and poor planning are deliberately misleading and false.

There are no other viable alternatives. Every other avenue has been explored. Costs are minimized. Only the most pressing needs are addressed.

Measure A is a small investment now that will ensure that we don't pay for more costly repairs in the future.

Please join an overwhelming coalition of business, labor, elected officials, educators and others in voting Yes on Measure A.

/s/ Mario Panoringan August 24, 1999
President, Board of Directors, Daly City-Colma Chamber of Commerce

/s/ Laurence K. Buckmaster August 25, 1999
President, Redwood City/San Mateo County Chamber of Commerce

/s/ Marianne Zanone Rush August 25, 1999
President, Board of Directors, San Mateo County Association of REALTORS

/s/ Michael D. Nevin August 25, 1999
Member, Board of Supervisors, San Mateo County

/s/ Roger Grossman August 25, 1999
Chair, Board of Directors, San Mateo County Economic Development Association

Mr. Grossman signed on behalf of SAMCEDA. Officers of SAMCEDA are:
Roger Grossman
Randall Smith
Paul Casias
Richard Denman
Janine McCaffery
Denise de Ville