SACRAMENTO >> Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D — Winters) and several of her Assembly colleagues introduced ACA 4, a constitutional amendment which would give local governments flexibility in funding critical infrastructure and affordable housing projects.
“As a former Mayor of Winters, and board member of regional water, housing and transportation agencies, I have seen first-hand the deterioration of our once world-class infrastructure,” said Aguiar-Curry. “ACA 4 will empower California communities to take action at the local level to improve their economies, neighborhoods and residents’ quality of life.”
ACA 4 would reduce the local vote threshold for approval of bond and special tax measures from two-thirds to 55 percent. This vote threshold currently applies to school district measures. By making this change, the bill would put housing and infrastructure projects on par with school proposals, so that cities, counties, and special districts have a practical financing tool to address community needs.
“Local communities deserve a fair chance at making sure that their residents can afford to pay the rent or buy a home,” said Assemblymember David Chiu (D-San Francisco), Chair of the Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee. “California’s housing affordability crisis requires real investment across the entire state, and I applaud Assemblymember Aguiar-Curry for helping us get there.”
Since 2001, over 2,200 local revenue measures have been placed before voters. Nearly 80 percent of all two-thirds supermajority measures garnered more than 55 percent “yes” votes, but ultimately failed because they fell slightly short of the two-thirds threshold. Because this bill would change the Constitution, if passed by the Legislature, the proposal would then be put on the ballot for approval in the next statewide election.
Critical projects include fixing streets and roads, constructing public safety facilities for police and fire departments, upgrading water and flood control systems, deploying broadband for internet connectivity, and maintaining parks. According to Aguiar-Curry, not only do these construction and maintenance efforts improve communities, they also create new local jobs.
“We need a renewed effort by every level of government to support our economy with modern, safe infrastructure. ACA 4 will empower local officials to ask their voters to approve their vision for how and when to invest in critical projects. Local communities know their priorities best. This constitutional amendment will offer an important tool for local leaders to support projects and determine how to pay for them,” said Aguiar-Curry.
ACA 4 is pending referral to its first policy committee in the Assembly.
