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Prop. 55 passage would bring $4 million to SFSU

February 25, 2004

Photo of the J. Paul Leonard LibraryUpdate 3/3/04: On March 2 a majority of California voters approved Propisition 55, the statewide school bond measure. Yes: 50.6 percent with 2,810,724 voters in favor of Prop. 55. No: 49.4 percent with 2,753,870 voters against the measure.


Proposition 55, the $12.3 billion bond measure on the March 2 ballot, would help address the needs of California’s kindergarten through high school campuses, community colleges and public universities by providing funds for modernization, school construction, restoration and earthquake retrofitting.

If Prop. 55 is approved by voters, San Francisco State University would receive nearly $4 million for the J. Paul Leonard Library expansion project.

Public education in California relies on voter-approved state education bond measures to fund most of its facility needs. If approved, the bond will be repaid from state revenues during the next 30 years and would not increase or create new taxes.

As part of a major project to renovate and expand the J. Paul Leonard Library -- the heart of the University -- these funds will be used to purchase new desks, tables, computers and more. As students, faculty, staff and residents of surrounding neighborhoods rely on the Library to provide a welcoming, comfortable and quiet space to read and study, this project will create more spacious areas to do so. An invaluable resource for the campus and community, the renovated Library and expanded selection of materials will allow students and others to gain research and technology skills that are critical in California’s contemporary workplace. SFSU already received an additional $85 million for the Library renovation/expansion project from Gov. Gray Davis' stimulus package, which was intended to spur economic growth and job creation.

If the $12.3 billion bond measure is passed by a majority of statewide voters, it would fund a range of K-12 and higher education projects throughout California.

The largest chunk of the general obligation bond -- $10 billion -- would be dedicated to kindergarten through high school facilities. Another $2.3 billion would fund higher education with the largest piece going toward community colleges at $920 million. The California State University system and the University of California system would each receive $690 million.

The last statewide K-12 and higher education proposition was in 2002 when a majority of voters approved a $13.2 billion bond measure. SFSU received $14.8 million from that bond. About $14.5 million was spent on a telecommunications infrastructure upgrade. The money allowed for the installation of fiber-optic, copper wires lines to the campus and as a result access to high-bandwidth multimedia resources, including online video and audio streaming. Connections to the Internet and systemwide computer networks are now faster and more reliable. In addition, about $225,000 was spent on seismic upgrades to Hensill Hall, furnishing classrooms and laboratories with new desks, tables and equipment.

For more information. see the SF State News Prop. 55 page.

-- Christina Holmes
Photo: Jeff Rosen

         

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Last modified July 27, 2004 by University Communications