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Our Bay Area is known for its beautiful scenery, dynamic communities, economic strength, and innovative spirit. However, serious challenges threaten the region’s future. We must work together to address the urgent need for affordable housing, solve homelessness, protect communities from rising sea levels, and improve the infrastructure of our cities and counties.
Proposition 5 provides a smart funding solution to these problems. This would allow cities and counties to pass local infrastructure bonds with 55% of the votes cast, rather than the current two-thirds requirement. In 2000, California voters approved a similar reduction in voting requirements to pass local school bonds, resulting in significant improvements and modernization of public schools.
The current two-thirds vote on municipal bonds is democratically unfair, skewing the will of the majority of voters to support well-planned policies with broad community support to special interests. This allows individuals and a small number of voters to interfere. It also imposes stricter requirements on city and county bonds than those needed to pass state bonds, which require only a simple majority vote.
Proposition 5 empowers communities to solve critical infrastructure challenges like building libraries, senior centers, parks, and fire stations, and to address critical issues like clean water and affordable housing. It will be easier to obtain the funds you need.
There is a lack of affordable housing in the Bay Area, a pressing concern that is contributing to the homelessness crisis. As the population grows, too many families struggle to find affordable housing. Proposition 5 would help local governments pass bond measures to build more affordable housing, allowing people to live and work in their communities.
Our region is also particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Rising sea levels threaten to flood our neighborhoods, highways, and public infrastructure. Proposition 5 will help community leaders raise funds for local projects to protect coastlines and protect clean water.
This ballot measure will allow local voters to decide what best fits the needs of their unique city or county. This would eliminate the need for states to rely on issuing bonds to fund local projects. Funding decisions would be in the hands of local officials, who know their communities better than the state. Voters would then have a more direct say in shaping their future.
Proposition 5 also includes strict accountability measures to ensure tax dollars are used wisely and transparently. The measure would require that every dollar spent be tracked and reported and that public oversight be built into the process. Regular audits and financial reviews allow voters to know how their funds are being used and ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget.
This proposal is an investment in a better future. It’s about protecting the places we love, building the homes we need and ensuring our local infrastructure can meet the demands of a changing world.
Let’s help the Bay Area prepare for the challenges ahead. Please vote YES on Proposition 5.
John Gioia is the Contra Costa County Supervisor.
