SAN DIEGO ---- Palomar, MiraCosta and the other community college districts of San Diego and Imperial counties have announced they are backing two March 2 ballot items they say will ensure access to the two-year schools "now and in the future."

The measures are Proposition 57, the Economic Recovery Act, and Proposition 58, the California Balanced Budget Act.

The group of schools, known as the San Diego and Imperial Counties Community Colleges Association said passage of the measures would advance student preparation both for the work force and for transfer to a four-year university.

The association said that Prop. 57, which would authorize the state to issue $15 billion in bonds to help cover the debt, is the same as refinancing a home to obtain lower monthly payments and a slightly longer repayment time.

The group said Prop. 58 would bring some economic stability to the colleges by mandating a balanced budget and creating a state reserve fund.

"Failure of these propositions," SIDICCA said in a news release," ... will mean debilitating cuts for public education, creating extreme hardship upon community colleges and the students they serve."

The association said neither measure requires a tax increase and both must pass for either to take effect.