Should California ease passing local bonds with Proposition 5

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Proposition 5 would reduce the threshold for local government bonds for housing and roads from two-thirds to 55%. The two-thirds vote requirement for local bond measures has been part of the California Constitution since 1879.

In 2000, voters approved an exception for local bonds for school construction, which have since required only 55% approval. Proposition 5 would expand that carveout to local bond measures for housing and infrastructure.

Yes: Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia says a 55% vote threshold is more democratic than two-thirds. Proposition 5 would help the Bay Area face its biggest challenges and provide local control and accountability in spending tax dollars.

No: Jon Coupal, president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, says the ballot measure would turbo-charge tax hikes and increase local debt. Owners of single-family homes, apartment buildings and commercial properties would end up paying higher taxes, driving up housing and business costs.

Editorial: Proposition 5 would make local tax-measure passage easier without addressing repeated campaign abuses. Lawmakers should first fix the current deceitful ballot and campaign practices of local agencies and businesses that financially benefit from passage of bond measures. Reform the election process, and then we can debate whether to lower the vote threshold.