Local groups say housing bond would help home buyers, renters, homeless, victims; Republicans, taxpayer groups oppose
By: GIG CONAUGHTON - Staff Writer | ∞
The Santa Fe Walk condominium project underconstruction in Vista Monday.
BILL WECHTER Staff Photographer
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Local housing, planning and domestic-violence service leaders say they hope state voters this fall approve Proposition 1C, a $2.85 billion infrastructure bond that would put some money into building affordable housing, emergency shelters and smart-growth development.
Supporters of the bond may get their wish. An August survey taken by the San Francisco-based Public Policy Institute of California reported that 57 percent of respondents supported the ballot measure, more than the simple majority needed to approve the bond.
Despite that, there are still many questions about how Prop. 1C will fare in the Nov. 7 election.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has reportedly shown tepid support of the measure. State Republicans have flatly opposed it, even though the proposition is part of Schwarzenegger's and the Legislature's $42.7 billion infrastructure bond package.
Taxpayer groups say it would be irresponsible to add more state debt. And even the poll done by the policy institute ---- whose board includes several development, architectural and land-use industry leaders ---- suggested Prop. 1C could be shot down because voters think the overall $42.7 billion infrastructure package is just too expensive.
Housing, shelter ... parks?
Although Prop. 1C is called the "Housing and Emergency Shelter Trust Fund Act of 2006," a large portion the $2.85 billion measure ---- $1.05 billion ---- would not be spent on housing or shelters, but on housing-related facilities and projects: parks, sewage, water and transportation, according to the nonpartisan Legislative Analysts Office.
Tom Scott, executive director of the San Diego Housing Federation, a partnership of builders and developers that support Prop. 1C, said the housing-related money is badly needed because cities and counties have spent little on such housing-related matters since Proposition 13 capped property taxes in 1978. However, Scott also said that Prop. 1C is something of an extension of a similar housing and emergency shelter measure, the $2.1 billion Proposition 46, which was approved by state voters in 2002.
Aside from the $1.05 billion it would spend on parks, sewage, water and transportation Prop. 1C would also generate:
Proposition not biggest
Prop. 1C is actually the runt of the massive infrastructure bond-measure litter at just $2.85 billion.
By contrast, Proposition 1B will ask voters to OK $19.9 billion in bond debt to pay for transportation projects. Proposition 1D will ask voters to approve $10.4 billion in bonds to pay to upgrade school buildings. And Proposition 1E will ask voters to approve $4.1 billion to pay for water and flood control projects. A related measure, Proposition 84, will ask voters to approve $5.4 billion in bonds to pay for more water and environmental programs.
The Legislative Analyst's Office, which prepares reports for all ballot measures, states that Prop. 1C would be paid back out of the state's general fund over the next 30 years, at the rate of roughly $204 million a year. That would amount to a total payment of $6.1 billion, including the $3.25 billion in interest.
Cheryl Keenan, executive director for San Diego Habitat for Humanity, the local arm of a national Christian group that helps build homes for the needy, signed the ballot argument supporting Prop. 1C.
Likewise, Cindy Grossman, president of the San Diego Domestic Violence Council, said their organization, and the statewide Partnership to End Domestic Violence were backing the measure.
"We're in favor," Grossman said. "What this bill does is allow for dollars to go toward shelters ---- that also provides for homeless families with children, which, locally, is a huge need."
Prop. 1C was also supported by the San Diego Association of Governments, the county's regional transportation planning group. The group's board consists of representatives from the County of San Diego and the county's 18 cities.
Meanwhile, Tom Scott of the San Diego Housing Federation said that Prop. 1C would help local families buy or rent affordable homes.
"We've created over 2,000 new affordable homes and shelter beds, and more than 1,000 first-time homebuyers were able to get funds to help them buy homes," Scott said. "Those (Prop. 46) funds run out this year. This proposition, 1C, would extend that."
Bad borrowing
But some say that voters would be crazy to give the state permission to pile any more debt atop the $45 billion the state is already carrying.
The Legislative Analyst's Office reports that the state makes its yearly payments on all bond debt by taking cash out of its general fund ---- and not by raising taxes.
But tax advocates point out that bond debt can easily result in tax increases. If state revenues decrease, the governor and Legislature would have less money to pay off the bond debt. That leaves only a couple of options to come up with the cash: cut programs and services, or raise taxes.
"Let's see," Richard Rider, chairman of the San Diego Tax Fighters Association said. "All told, there are $42.7 billion worth of bonds on the Nov. 7 ballot. And none of them raise taxes. The money just magically appears. The tooth fairy pays for it.
"State bonds promise something for nothing," Rider said, "which, of course, they don't deliver."
-- Contact staff writer Gig Conaughton at (760) 739-6696 or gconaughton@nctimes.com.
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Observer wrote on Sep 19, 2006 3:15 AM:Republicans only support putting money in the pockets of big business.
Fleece Us Again wrote on Sep 19, 2006 6:43 AM:More taxpayer money to support illegals. Great!
Cut out the low income buyers wrote on Sep 19, 2006 6:53 AM:and you might stand a chance. Why is it the taxpayers are being forced to subsidize low income earners buying a house. Many of us middle income earners (you know.. those who went to college and technical school) cant afford to buy a house.. but you will force the rest of us to pay for people who made poor life choices to own? You have the right to EARN a house NO ONE is obligated to help you buy it.
Amanda wrote on Sep 19, 2006 7:12 AM:Frankly I am sick and tired of paying for the taxes that the rich should be paying for and sick of paying for the poor that get everything for FREE. I just figured out that at the end there isn’t enough money to go around and pay for my own family. So my middle class family struggles and we do without services. On the other hand these bonds are shoved up our faces by more greedy people that want more freebees, when will the middle class qualify for these freebees?
VOTE NO on all TAXES wrote on Sep 19, 2006 7:14 AM:A $2,850,000,000 bond (tax) will cost about $6,700,000,000 over the life of the bond. VOTE NO on Prop. 1C. Vote NO on all new taxes.
Daren wrote on Sep 19, 2006 7:22 AM:Low-income renters, homeless.....sounds like the perfect program to give criminal illegals a path to home ownership in the US. I will vote NO!
Other Observer wrote on Sep 19, 2006 7:26 AM:Democrats only want to confiscate money from the people who earn it and give it to the people who don't.
Wake up America wrote on Sep 19, 2006 7:27 AM:Who will be the people benefiting from these FREE services and homes, the people who carelessly have 4-6 kids without counting the cost before they got pregnant? I am sorry one slip up maybe two but 4-6 come on!!! We pay for the low income from prenatal to jail housing them when will common sense kick in? Who is paying for all of these bonds and new taxes we are!!! We have created a nation of freeloaders, functioning illiterates who can barely read let alone have enough reading comprehension to acquire a skilled job; druggies, gang banggers and illegal free loaders. I once voted for bonds and helped the poor but now I am voting NO on ALL BONDS and NO and any new TAX.
Entitlements wrote on Sep 19, 2006 7:31 AM:Why do these idoit liberals think government is the solution to every problem?
Here we go! wrote on Sep 19, 2006 7:33 AM:Giving more money away to the quiters and loosers of society who want a hand out! This is why we have a large portion of the populations that does not works or hard enough to make a difference. Plus they feel a continued sense of entitlement for freebies and handout! America home of the welfare and lazy! They play on the homeless card. Pleeese! Most of these scumbags are crack heads who are selfish and think of only themsleves not thier parenst, siblings, their own children. Oh I know! Let's blame it on the drugs. Then we don't have to take responsibility for that either!
What,? Fleece Us wrote on Sep 19, 2006 8:56 AM:What part of that article mentioned money to illegals, once again the ignorant open their pie-holes and spew forth the most ridiculous statements. This is a good example of our broken education system
American-Irish Resident wrote on Sep 19, 2006 9:28 AM:Illegals do have state of California sanctioned abilities to apply for state funded low income housing. "What" should become familiar with state laws and policies in California
T wrote on Sep 19, 2006 9:30 AM:Fleece us again was merely pointing out a FACT, that a lot of illegals ARE,getting HUD and other programs they're NOT entitled to. While Americans go homeless, and hungry.
What needs to read wrote on Sep 19, 2006 9:45 AM:$135 million on low-interest loans and grants to build housing for farmworkers ---- a program that critics argue would give aid to illegal immigrants.
o2cool1 wrote on Sep 19, 2006 9:47 AM:The conservative Republican right proudly proclaim themselves to be very religious however it appears they were all sleeping when the minister read Luke 10.30-7.
Skip wrote on Sep 19, 2006 9:49 AM:If just one Illegal alien family moved into taxpayer supported low cost housing I think I would go nuts. If this housing program were to become a reality I would hope that government officials check every possible tenant regardless of race, creed, or ethnic origin, to validate that they are United States Citizens
Reply to reply to o2cool1 wrote on Sep 19, 2006 12:10 PM:"Luke 10.30-7" I read it, no one in the passages chased down, or even suggested chasing down the crooks and giving them more money because they obviously needed it. - ...
To Observer wrote on Sep 19, 2006 12:47 PM:Yes. "Republicans only support putting money in the pockets of big business." And Democrats only support taking money out of the pockets of big business and the rich. Both are wrong. Both are immoral. Both are un-Constitutional. Let’s lose the blinders.
To O2Cool1 wrote on Sep 19, 2006 3:22 PM:Did you notice it says “Go and do likewise”? Jesus did not say: “Go and petition Caesar to compel everyone to do likewise.” Jesus did not say go and rob the rich (or the middle class) and give their money to the poor. Think about it!
o2cool1 wrote on Sep 19, 2006 3:44 PM:It is evident from the responses to my post that no one really understands the parable of the Good Samaritan. The question was "who is my neighbor" the answer was ANYONE IN NEED.
Daren wrote on Sep 19, 2006 4:11 PM:These religious posts belong in the 'faith & values' area.
Rick wrote on Sep 19, 2006 4:27 PM:If the evil liberals get their way, I'm sure they'll raise my taxes and I might have to give up platinum plated toilet paper and switch back to gold plated toilet paper like the wretched masses. Woe is me until I can find enough Republican politicians to purchase.
I am Republican! wrote on Sep 19, 2006 6:38 PM:I am also an atheist!
Big business pay yours salary! wrote on Sep 19, 2006 6:40 PM:For all those loosers who want the big business to pay taxes. They already are. Also the big companies are your boss. So shut up and go back to work!
Pittsburgh wrote on Sep 19, 2006 9:12 PM:Americans are homeless because they are too lazy to do day labor jobs!!!! I'm just kidding. I was using the excuse illegal supporters use for why it is okay for illegals to break to the law. We have to act like a teenager can't mow grass. Who knows, maybe they would if their buddies didn't tell them they are working like an "illegal day laborer". On the other hand, throwing money at problems is not got to fix anything. America is a capitalist country. The whole concept of capitalism is that you make money to get ahead. The American way is not to motivate yourself to greatness and wealth so you can spend your money on people who made poor decisions. I am tired of poor people getting to be middle class because of handouts. That is making the middle class (which I represent) extinct.
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