2023 July 5 Support letter ACA 1 Local government infrastructure housing voter approval

July 5, 2023

The Honorable Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry
1021 O Street, Suite 6350
Sacramento, CA 95814

Re: Support for Assembly Constitutional Amendment 1 (Local government financing: affordable housing and public infrastructure: voter approval)

Dear Assemblymember Aguilar-Curry:

On behalf of the Marin County Board of Supervisors, I write in support of Assembly Constitutional Amendment (ACA) 1, which would bring to voters on a future statewide ballot the consideration of lowering the voter approval threshold for revenue measures from a two-thirds supermajority to 55% for critical public infrastructure needs and affordable housing investments. Specifically, the measure would authorize a jurisdiction to raise local bond funding via a voter-approved special tax for the construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, or replacement of public infrastructure, affordable housing, or permanent supportive housing.

Local revenue is an important component to maintaining public infrastructure and creating affordable homes – and in some cases can leverage five state and federal dollars for every one local dollar spent on a project. Thus, the requirement to meet a two-thirds voter-approved threshold (as opposed to a 55% majority) can cost local communities billions in funding, when accounting for this state and federal match. As the state faces historic infrastructure, homelessness and affordability crises – voters are increasingly frustrated.

ACA 1 would make significant strides towards addressing these concerns of California residents and voters by creating a more democratic and viable financing tool, similar to what schools have, so that communities can fund resilient infrastructure and affordable and supportive homes. Local voters would still need to overwhelmingly support a bond or special tax (with 55%) in order for it to be approved, thus protecting voters’ control over how their tax dollars are spent. The bill also provides specific requirements for voter protection, public notice, and financial accountability.

If approved by the Legislature, ACA 1 would then have to be approved by voters in a future statewide election, ensuring voter support for this change.

Thank you for your leadership on this important issue.

Respectfully,

Stephanie Moulton-Peters, President
Marin County Board of Supervisors

Cc: Marin County Board of Supervisors
Assemblymember Damon Connolly
Senator Mike McGuire