I just received a mailer from the LA Unified School district trying to get me to support Measure Y, a bond measure to fund additional school construction. After touting the project in my community that will be built, it goes on to say:
Of course, new schools cost money. Measure Y will cost less than $5/month per $100,000 of assessed–not market–property valuation. The average cost will be less than half that amount.
First, this is the wrong thing to say to someone who just bought a new house and is facing significantly higher property taxes. For me, this is $480/year. Second, the last sentence makes absolutely no sense. The average cost is meaningless, because the cost per $100K will be the same for all homeowners. The folks that will take it on the chin will be the folks who just bought houses–the ones with kids who needed more space. The folks that will have it easy are the retired, who have owned their houses for years and benefit from Prop 13, and renters, who are insulated either by rent control or leases.
I agree with the Daily News. LAUSD came back for more funds too soon. We’ve seemingly had a bond measure for schools every year. They are doing construction, but they are also pouring dollars down the pit at Belmont.
I’m going to have to think about this one some more.
