Referenda Roundup, 2002: Statewide Successes, a Mixed Bag Locally

摘要

Y RT ART TX AU G.F. Although the nation's economic downturn has had a detrimental effect on library funding, it doesn't appear to have had an overwhelming impact on the library measures before the voters in the November 5 election. The results were the usual mixture of approvals and rejections, with voters passing two statewide measures that promise major infusions of funding. California's Proposition 47, a $13.05-billion statewide school bond, won easily with 58.9% of the vote. In addition to providing funds to renovate and construct facilities, including libraries, at both the K-12 and higher-education levels, italso includes $10.5 million for the California State Library. Among the library projects funded by the bond are a $19-million library addition and renovation at California State University/Long Beach; $4.3 million toward a new library at CSU/Monterey Bay; a $33.2-million library addition and renovation at Cal Poly Pomona; $27.7 million for renovation and equipment at the joint academic/public library at San Jose State University; and $7.4 million to equip the new library at CSU/San Marcos. In New Mexico, voters approved statewide Bond Issue C, the Library Books Bond Issue 2002, by 59.6-40.4%. The bond will provide $7.7 million to some 770 public school libraries in 89 school districts, $4.9 million to about 100 public librariesin 33 counties, and $3.4 million to 25 college and university libraries. American Libraries' state-by-state roundup of library referenda and other local ballot measures is based on reports from online news sources and state library agencies. ARKANSAS. By an overwhelming 61-39% margin, voters rejected a statewide ballot measure sponsored by the Libertarian Party that would have eliminated the sales tax on food and medicine. Opponents feared it would gut funding for state and localgovernment, and a group called Arkansans to Protect Police, Libraries; Education, and Services sued unsuccessfully to strike the initiative from the November 5 ballot. At least twice in the last decade, legislators have rejected bills that would have removed the sales tax from food. Fayetteville residents voted 83.7-16.3% October 1 to mandate that all of the 1-mill library tax collected within the city be given directly to the Fayetteville Public Library rather than to the countywide library system. CALIFORNIA. Although Measure D, a Palo Alto initiative to renovate the Mitchell Park Library and the Children's Library, received 61.4% of the vote, the measure required a two-thirds majority to win. "Yes on D" cochair Gary Fazzino blamed theloss on "the toughest economic climate in 30 years." Richmond voters rejected a parcel tax to raise money for city libraries. The measure, which drew a 48.4% yes vote, required a two-thirds majority to win. Walnut Creek voters passed a $22 annual parcel tax to increase library hours and purchase new books. In Nevada County, voters overwhelmingly supported a measure extending a 1/8-cent sales tax for support services and materials at the Truckee Library passed four years ago; the final count was 76.5-23.46%. School bond measures that included provisions for library facilities or collections passed in Walnut Creek, Ventura County, Bear Valley, and the Natomas Unified School District. Los Angeles voters decisively rejected a measure to allow Hollywood and the San Fernando Valley to secede from the city. The proposal would have transferred ownership of assets, including libraries, to the new cities. COLORADO. A package of three initiatives to fund new cultural facilities--a new performing arts center, an expanded museum, and a new downtown library--was turned down by voters in Fort Collins. Some residents said a tax increase for the library alone might have succeeded. Cultural facilities also lost out in Aurora, where voters