State Assembly approves huge statewide education bond

03 April 2002 | Two days after hundreds of UC delegates met with lawmakers to advocate for the University, the state Assembly approved the largest statewide education bond in California’s history.

If passed by the voters, the bond will help finance the replacement or renovation of eight seismically unsound buildings on the Berkeley campus, including Stanley Hall, Hertz Hall and the Doe Library Annex.

Assembly Bill 16 would place a $13.05 billion kindergarten-through-university bond measure on the November 2002 ballot and a $12 billion bond on the March 2004 ballot. Each bond would provide $2.3 billion for higher education. AB 16 passed the Assembly by a 71-6 vote, just five votes beyond what was needed.

UC and California State University would each be allocated 30 percent of the bond funds dedicated for higher education; the remaining 40 percent would be earmarked for California community colleges.

The measure includes approval of the Governor Davis’ economic stimulus package and authorizes $279 million in lease-revenue bonds for seven accelerated facilities projects at UC.

The measure now goes to the state Senate for approval.

Campus government affairs representatives said alumni association delegates who visited legislators on UC Day likely helped secure Thursday’s Assembly vote.

“Our volunteers did a great job representing UC Berkeley,” said Laura Capps, director of government affairs. “Their knowledge and enthusiasm impressed the Assembly members and provided the crucial momentum to pass the bond.”

Steve Arditti, UC assistant vice president and director for state government relations, agreed. “I can tell [legislators] several times that facilities on campus are old and in need of repair,” Arditti said. “But having it personalized and hearing it once directly from a recent graduate may have much more impact.”

Local Assembly members Dion Aroner (D-Berkeley), Joe Canciamilla (D- Pittsburg), Wilma Chan (D-Oakland), Ellen Corbett (D-San Leandro), John Dutra (D-Fremont), and Lynn Leach (R- Walnut Creek) all supported the measure.