Voters get the Edge

Voter’s Edge California, a comprehensive online voter guide in English and Spanish, was launched in February to provide voters with unbiased information on candidates and ballot measures from the top of the ticket down to the local level. California voters can make informed choices using Voter’s Edge to explore candidates’ priorities, endorsements and top donors, as well as ballot measure explanations and campaign funding. Information in the guide is updated daily.

An example: In the March 3 primary election, Proposition 13 (the only statewide proposition on the March 3 ballot) is a $15 billion school bond authorization for construction and modernization of school and college facilities in California. It includes $9 billion for preschool and K-12 schools and $6 billion for California’s public higher education system. The funds will be split evenly among the 114 community colleges, the 23-campus California State University and the 10 campuses of the University of California. For more details about Prop. 13 contents, go to Voter’s Edge California.

Proceeds from state school bonds are a supplement to local school bonds, which provide most of the funding for construction and modernization of K-12 schools, along with developer fees, which make up a small portion (about 5 percent) of overall funding for school facilities.

This measure addresses a number of equity-related issues in the School Facilities Program, provides technical support for smaller school districts, and sets aside money to test for and remove lead from school drinking water.

The League recommended a “yes” vote in favor of Proposition 13, Bonds for Schools and

Colleges, on Voter’s Edge. We all benefit when schools improve.

— The League of Women

Voters, Solano County