California Proposition 50 (2002)

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Proposition 50 was a proposition in the state of California on the November 5, 2002 ballot. It passed successfully with 3,808,594 (55.4%) votes in favor and 3,076,333 (44.6%) against. It was placed on the ballot through the initiative process.

The question before voters was:

Should the state borrow three billion four hundred forty million dollars ($3,440,000,000) through the sale of general obligation bonds for a variety of water projects including coastal protection, the CALFED Bay-Delta Program, integrated regional water management, safe drinking water, and water quality?

See also: List of California ballot propositions 2000-present

[edit] Official summary

  • Authorizes $3,440,000,000 general obligation bonds to fund a variety of water projects, including:
    • Specified CALFED Bay-Delta Program projects including urban and agricultural water use efficiency projects;
    • Grants and loans to reduce Colorado River water use;
    • Purchasing, protecting and restoring coastal wetlands near urban areas;
    • Competitive grants for water management and quality improvement projects;
    • Development of river parkways;
    • Improved security for state, local and regional water systems;
    • Grants for desalination and drinking water disinfection.
  • Appropriates money from state General Fund to pay off bonds.

Summary of Legislative Analyst's Estimate of Net State and Local Government Fiscal Impact:

  • State cost of up to $6.9 billion over 30 years to pay off both the principal ($3.44 billion) and interest ($3.46 billion) costs on the bonds. Payments of about $230 million per year.
  • Reduction in local property tax revenues, ranging from a few million dollars to roughly $10 million annually, about one-half of which would be offset by state payments to schools to make up their revenue loss.
  • Unknown costs to state and local governments to operate or maintain properties or projects purchased or developed with these bond funds.

[edit] External link