This prop would lower the voting threshold for local bond measures to pass, starting with this year’s election.
CALIFORNIA, USA — California makes it difficult for local governments to borrow money. Not only do most city and county bonds require voter approval, they need the support of at least two-thirds of those voting to pass.
Proposition 5 would amend the California constitution by lowering the required threshold to 55% for any borrowing to fund affordable housing construction, down payment assistance programs and a host of “public infrastructure” projects, including those for water management, local hospitals and police stations, broadband networks and parks.
If it passes, the new cut-off would apply not just to future bonds, but any that are on the ballot this November.
Why is it on the ballot?
Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, a Democrat from Winters, has been trying and failing to get some version of this on the ballot since 2017. After a helpful promotion to …