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California Statistics

Local School Bond and Parcel Tax Approval Rates

By Stephen Kroes
Since 1996, local school taxes and bonds have been passing with record high approval rates. Local general obligation bonds include an increase in ad valorem property tax rates to fund debt payments, typically over 20 to 30 years. They are strictly limited to pay for capital improvements, such as new or improved school buildings. Parcel taxes are usually used to fund operations and are a fixed amount per parcel. Stephen Kroes is Cal-Tax director of research


From 1990 through 1995, local general obligation bonds for schools had been approved about 43 percent of the time. Parcel taxes had an approval rate of about 44 percent during that period. In 1996, approval rates jumped, and 69 percent of general obligation bond proposals were approved, along with 75 percent of the proposed parcel taxes. It is not certain why voters have shifted to greater approval, but the strong California economy probably has helped soften concerns over whether new taxes are affordable.


In 1997, approval rates remain high, at 75 percent for parcel taxes and 60 percent for bonds. However, hidden within the graphs shown on this page is a tapering of this trend in late 1997. The November 4 elections produced approval rates of 51 percent for general obligation bonds and 50 percent for parcel taxes.


The data on these election results was provided by School Services of California (916/446-7517). Their assistance is greatly appreciated. 

It is not certain why voters have shifted to greater approval, but the strong California economy probably has helped soften concerns over whether new taxes are affordable.