Subject:

Propositions 55, 57 and 58

The California budget crisis has given rise to questions about funding for the University's physical growth and programs. Propositions 55, 57 and 58 relate to that issue.

Proposition 55 asks California voters to approve $12.3 billion in bonds that will help public K-12 schools, colleges and universities alleviate overcrowded classrooms, make overdue seismic and other repairs on aging buildings, and upgrade university facilities. If Proposition 55 passes, UC would receive $690 million in funds over the next two years.

Of that total, UCSD would receive $110 million in capital funds for nine projects. These include the Mayer Hall Addition and Renovation, Pharmaceutical Sciences Building, Music Building, Student Academic Services Facility, Applied Physics and Mathematics Renovation, SIO Research Support Facilities, Biomedical Library Renovation and Addition, Structural and Materials Engineering Building, and the Satellite Utilities Plant.

Proposition 55 has been endorsed by a coalition of education, business and taxpayer groups, including the California Taxpayers Association, the California Chamber of Commerce, California State PTA and California Teachers Association. At this time, Proposition 55 opponents include the National Tax Limitation Committee and the 60-Plus Association.

Propositions 57 and 58 are the Governor's proposals for addressing the state's budget problems. This year, UC's state funds were cut by $410 million, and an additional $372 million in UC cuts are included in the proposed budget for next year. These cuts assume that voters will approve Propositions 57 and 58. If they do not pass, even deeper cuts may be required.

You can obtain more information about the location of your polling place and review ballot arguments about the propositions in the Secretary of State's web site, www.ss.ca.gov. More information about Proposition 55 also is available at http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/prop55.

Marsha A. Chandler Acting Chancellor Jan B. Talbot Chair, Academic Senate