When deciding whether to support state Propositions 2 and 4 — which would each authorize the sale of $10 billion in bonds — the central question is the credibility of elected leaders claims. Will Proposition 2 really be tightly focused on upgrading decrepit school facilities? Will Proposition 4 really be tightly focused on infrastructure needed to deal with the climate emergency? Both assertions are undercut by the publicly floated plans for how the $20 billion will be used. They make the propositions appear designed to allow for the irresponsible use of costly long-term borrowing to help pay for short-term needs.
Nevertheless, many voters are still inclined to give state leaders the benefit of the doubt. Given the latest duplicity coming from Sacramento, this is hard to fathom. Gov. Gavin Newsom and his allies are desperate to hide the cost of their climate agenda because they know their worthy goals may not matter much if the sticker shock is too great. So theyve blocked the California Air Resources Board from revealing how much its pending changes in gasoline mandates will cost drivers. Last year, a CARB analysis estimated the new rules could immediately increase gas prices by 47 cents a gallon and then by another $1.15 per gallon from 2031 to 2046. Now, however, the air board refuses to address how consumers will be affected — even as it prepares to adopt the new rules right after the election.
Whatever ones political views, this is not how government is supposed to work. Deceiving the public — even if its allegedly for the publics own good — is indefensible and is a strategy that could come back to undercut state efforts to prepare for a much hotter, drier era.
Or maybe not. In 2013, the state adopted the Dashboard program that intentionally made it harder for parents to learn about the effectiveness of their childrens public schools. That cynical gift to the education establishment never produced a backlash. And as a Democratic insider — state Sen. Steve Glazer — detailed last year, the state government has also opposed efforts to find out whether the billions its spent on homelessness, housing and mental health have had positive effects.
So this context shows that voting for Propositions 2 and 4 isnt just about bonds. Its about voting to prop up a dysfunctional status quo led by untrustworthy people. Heres hoping enough Californians figure this out.