The East Bay Times Gets It Wrong on Prop 51

The East Bay Times argued in a recent editorial that it is time to stick developers with the bill for school upgrades and construction by voting No on Prop 51. The East Bay Leadership Council believes that is a bad idea for the East Bay.
 
As the East Bay grows and schools age significant funds are needed to maintain our classrooms. Those funds are running out. Right now the state shares the cost of this critical upkeep with developers and school districts through impact fees. This is fair, given tight school district budgets and the strain placed on schools by new residential development. The benefits of education accrue at both the local and state levels, and the costs should therefore be shared at both levels.
 
But pushing the cost down to builders is more than just unfair and blind to the benefits that new develop brings. It also ultimately makes our housing crisis worse as these extra costs are reflected in higher rents and sale prices.
 
The East Bay Leadership Council urges a Yes vote on Prop 51.
 

Submitted to the East Bay Times on August 18, 2016.