PROPOSITIONS

Yes on Prop 5: Local Bond Process Reform to Rebuild Local Fire Departments

For over a decade, CPF has advocated for better tools to work through California’s clumsy local government tax laws. This year, the Legislature heeded our call to reform one of the most egregious financial obstacles facing local fire departments by placing Proposition 5 on the ballot. CPF strongly endorses YES on Proposition 5.

Prop 5 eliminates the unjust law requiring two votes to pass a bond that funds fire facility construction or equipment replacement for every one vote that doesn’t. The 2/3 threshold for passing local bonds has stymied progress at fire departments where tax revenue hasn’t kept up with increased demand on services. Many cities, counties, and special districts have had to upgrade facilities and equipment with their general fund budgets – diverting money that could be dedicated to ongoing staffing and services – because the possibility of attaining 2/3 approval for a bond measure seemed out of reach.

Prop 5 would benefit local departments seeking solutions to their facilities, equipment, and vehicle fleet backlogs by allowing bonds to fund these unmet needs with a 55 percent vote instead of 2/3.

Because the usefulness of fire stations and other capital expenses are required to outlive the length of the loan allowed under a bond, more and more local governments are proposing bonds as appropriate sources for financing their future facilities and equipment needs. This election cycle alone, CPF Locals from Sacramento Metro Fire Protection District down to Redondo Beach in L.A. County, with many more in between, are approaching voters with hundreds of millions of dollars in bond measures to renovate and rebuild deficient fire stations and replace outdated fire engines and equipment.

Prop 5 is a long-needed reform that will allow local governments to make the investments necessary to allow us to do our jobs better and to do them more safely. Vote YES on Proposition 5.