Bakersfield Californian

Editorial: Proposition 55 not now

It begins to add up -- $15 billion here and $12.3 billion there. Californians start wondering: When will the state's credit card max out? No doubt that question will grind away at voters facing the March 2 ballot, where they will find both Gov. Schwarzenegger's controversial $15 billion bond measure to bail out the state of its spending frenzy, as well as a $12.3 billion bond measure to build much- needed educational facilities.

Most voters also will find on their ballots local school bond proposals -- in many cases to provide the matching funds needed for local districts to obtain state funds provided through Proposition 55.

Proposition 55 is the second phase of a multi-billion bond investment in educational facilities approved by voters in 2002. The measure will provide funding to build new schools and improve existing schools -- from kindergarten through the university level.

No doubt there is plenty of need -- including in Kern County.

No doubt the timing for this proposal is very bad.

Those focused on Proposition 57, the governor's critically needed infusion of cash to bail out the state, wanted school advocates to postpone voter consideration of Proposition 55 until the November ballot. But they stuck by their March 2 ballot guns.

It was bad strategy. The piling on of debt represented by Propositions 55 and 57 threatens to sink both measures.

We urge voters to focus their attention and support on Propositions 57 and 58.

A provision in Proposition 55 will automatically placed the measure on the November ballot for reconsideration if it fails to pass in March.

Standing alone -- away from the debate and controversy of Proposition 57 -- the $12.3 billion school bond measure will be given more thoughtful consideration and likely voter support in November.

By November, if the governor's promises and predictions about Proposition 57 and his administration's reform efforts prove to be true, voters will be more confident in California's fiscal policies and its ability to pay off its debts.