Editor’s note: This is the first of seven issue-focused voter’s guides based on data from the City College Community Agenda. Check back often for the rest of the guides and the latest election-related news and information here.
San Diego City College student Sandra Santivanez had a quick answer to what she wanted to hear from candidates as they compete for her vote.
“Making sure everyone has access to education,” Santivanez, 20, said.
The business major is one of the 49.6% of respondents who felt college access and affordability directly affected their quality of life, according to Oct. 1 data from the City College Community Agenda.
The City College Community Agenda compiles the responses to a survey completed by students, faculty, staff and community members. It is designed to identify issues and elicit questions that City Times Media reporters use to engage political candidates and focus their election reporting.
To survey respondents, college access and affordability included increasing debt, rising education costs and lack of affordable housing.
Respondents who prioritized college access and affordability also prioritized housing and homelessness, economy and taxes and immigration reform.
Below is the City Times Media voter’s guide for those concerned about college affordability and access.
State Propositions:
Proposition 2
Authorizes $10 billion in state general obligation bonds for repair, upgrade, and construction of facilities at K–12 public schools (including charter schools) and community colleges. – Official California Voters Guide
Fiscal Impacts:
The estimated cost to repay the bond would be about $500 million each year (annually) over a 35-year period. Payments would be made from the state General Fund. (The General Fund is the account the state uses to pay for most public services, including education, health care, and prisons.) This would be less than one-half of 1 percent of the state’s total General Fund budget. Since the state has to pay interest on the money it borrows, the total cost of the bond would be about 10 percent more (after adjusting for inflation) than if the state paid up front with money it already has. – Legislative Analyst’s Office
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Local San Diego:
Measure HH
This proposition would allow the San Diego Community College District to borrow $3.5 billion to “address immediate and future facilities and infrastructure needs across the District.” – SDCCD
Fiscal Impacts:
“The total cost of the bond, including principal and interest, is estimated at $0.025/$100 of assessed valuation.” – San Diego County Taxpayers Association
Editor’s note: The San Diego County Taxpayers Association as publicly endorsed Measure HH.
CTTV multimedia journalist Zuzu Grueskin contributed to this report.
Update, Oct. 15, 3:10 p.m.: Story updated to include election coverage badge.
