Rushed and Stunningly Ill-conceived

East Bay Times Editorial Board Recommends Voters Reject Measure L

The Editorial Board of the East Bay Times recommends Berkeley voters reject Measure L this November characterizing it as a “rushed and stunningly ill-conceived” measure. They note that the $650 million in borrowing is “nearing the size of Oakland’s similar measure” despite Oakland having 3.4 times as many people.

As WOM Berkeley has reported, the measure’s language suggests anything goes with bond funds and represent a blank check. They specifically call out the clause stating, there is “not a commitment or guarantee that any specific amounts will be spent on particular projects or categories of projects.” The Times notes that the “little gem” of legal text is conveniently left out of the ballot language and out of the city’s “impartial analysis.”

WOM Berkeley repeatedly requested that the City Attorney and City Council clarify the impact of this legal text on spending plans, but both were non responsive. Rather than address our questions and concerns City Council attempted to pass “guidelines” for spending. The Times described this action as a "desperate attempt.” Noting that "nothing the council members do now could bind their or a future council’s spending of Measure L money. The guidelines are a meaningless promise."

A copy of the editorial may be found here.