Measure L Campaign Announces Newest Use of Bond Funds

Rebuilding After A Wildfire Razes Berkeley

We have previously noted that the proponents of Berkeley’s $650 million mega bond (Measure L) have already promised up to $1 billion in projects. Now, in a letter to the East Bay Times, the chief architects of Measure L suggest a new use of bond proceeds: rebuilding “if a wildfire razes Berkeley next year.”

This statement represents a candid acknowledgement that bond funds could and should be used for anything. They double down by claiming the vagary of the measure is in the “public interest” and being more specific would be “tying the [city] council’s hands.”

 

Claims that vagary is in the public interest and basic budgeting amounts to hand tying is disrespectful to the residents you are asking to foot the bill. The statement also foreshadows a future dilemma. Because there is no plan and they have over promised (even before wildfire rebuilding was added to the list), certain projects will simply not get done. To get you to approve approximately $10,000 in additional spending per resident, Measure L proponents seem to believe that a bait-and-switch campaign is actually an “exercise [in] discretion.” 

 

The complete text is below:

City plans would Guide Berkeley Bond Measure

The East Bay Times opposed Berkeley’s Measure L — a bond put on the ballot by a unanimous City Council — claiming the absence of specific dollar amounts and projects undermines accountability. We disagree.

Measure L expenditures would be guided by existing city plans developed with years of community input. The bond measure doesn’t name specific projects or amounts because that would not serve the public interest or taxpayers. Here’s why:

If the federal government invests billions in affordable housing or infrastructure — which recently happened — specifying dollar amounts could force taxpayers to use Measure L dollars rather than those funds.

If a wildfire razes Berkeley next year, Measure L resources couldn’t be used to rebuild because the damage wasn’t contemplated by voters this year.

If we assign dollar amounts and construction prices soar like they did during the pandemic, would projects be left unfinished?

Tying the council’s hands would not ensure the best use or the best deal. We elect representatives to exercise discretion in such matters every day.

Berkeley carries one-third of Oakland’s debt per $100,000 of assessed home value. The average Berkeley homeowner would pay just 72 cents per day to build affordable housing, advance wildfire safety and renew our infrastructure.  Vote yes on Measure L.

Jesse Arreguín Berkeley mayor Gordon Wozniak Former Berkeley City Council member