Election Bond for State Construction Projects: Proposition 53

State construction projects that are funded by bonds and cost more than $2 billion would need to be approved by California voters under a measure appearing on Tuesday's ballot.

Proposition 53 would require voter approval for projects that are financed, owned, operated or managed by the state or a partnership between the state and a local government, federal agency or another state.

It would also prohibit splitting big-dollar projects into separate bond issues to bring them below the $2 billion threshold for a public vote.

Proponents of the measure, including the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, say it will close a loophole in state law that allows politicians to "borrow billions in state revenue bond debt for massive state projects without voter approval."

"Right now, there is no vote by the Legislature or the people required to issue these massive state mega-bonds," proponents wrote in a ballot argument. "Un-elected and unaccountable state bureaucrats have all the power and you have to pay through higher water rates or increased fees."

Although proponents insist the measure only applies to state projects, opponents counter that the proposition could cause unnecessary delays in some local projects, allowing voters in Northern California to reject needed projects in Southern California, and vice versa. There is also no exemption for emergency public-works projects that could arise following an earthquake, wildfire or other natural disaster, critics say.

"Under this measure, cities and towns that come together to form a joint powers agency or similar body with the state to build needed infrastructure could have to put their local project on a statewide ballot," opponents argue. "That means voters in faraway regions could veto some local projects your community needs and supports -- like water storage or bridge safety repairs -- even though those voters don't use or care about your local improvements."

City news Service Contributed to this report. Shutterstock Photo