By Anthony W. Haddad
September 16, 2024
Support for California’s Proposition 2, a $10 billion school construction bond, is weakening as voters become aware of its provisions limiting construction labor and increasing costs, according to a BizFed news release.
A recent poll by the Central Valley Business Federation reveals that backing for Proposition 2 has dropped to just below 55%. The proposition needs to gain 50% plus one vote to pass.
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Prop. 2, which aims to fund repairs and upgrades for K-12 schools and community colleges, has faced criticism for including a Project Labor Agreement that restricts bidding to unionized contractors.
Critics argue that this provision benefits labor unions, which contribute significantly to California’s Democratic campaigns, while excluding a substantial portion of the construction workforce.
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Measure Could Cause Discrimination Towards Black, Latino Workers
The Probolsky Research poll highlights that 49% of voters are less likely to support Prop. 2 upon learning that the measure’s PLA provisions could discriminate against minority construction workers and inflate costs by 13-15%.
These restrictions could exclude many Black and Latino construction firms, which are predominantly non-union. The restrictions also could potentially drive up construction costs, resulting in fewer bids and higher expenses for taxpayers.
Historical trends suggest that as election day approaches, undecided voters often lean toward rejecting controversial measures.
Prop. 1, which proposed a $6.4 billion bond for new treatment beds and housing, saw support plummet from 68% to 50% in the final weeks before the March election. The measure ultimately passed by a narrow margin.
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The August 2024 Probolsky Research poll shows growing public skepticism about the fairness of tax dollar spending, even on popular projects like school construction.
With Prop. 2 facing increasing opposition due to its controversial labor restrictions and cost implications, proponents may struggle to maintain the measure’s fragile lead as November approaches.
