The DASB Senate voted on March 22 to endorse Measure C, the proposed $490 million bond. If approved by at least 55 percent of voters this June, the bond measure will fund the construction of new buildings, a renovation and maintenance of existing buildings, new equipment, and other projects.

“In the long run, it will provide more value to … businesses in our district,” said Ken Amornnopawong, a senator who voted for endorsement.

Some senators were concerned with the bond’s cost, which will be passed on to homeowners in the form of a new property tax.

“I was worried about rent, since I’m not rich or anything,” said Shrey Prasad, who voted against endorsement.

“It would increase taxes, so rent would go up,” he said.

Not all senators agreed. Amornnopawong said the property tax increase would be “insignificant,” because it would be based upon the appraised value of the a home instead of the market value.

For many homes, appraised value is significantly less than the market value, because the state of California cannot increase appraised value more than two percent per year.

The property tax will be less than 1/40th of one percent of the appraised value of a home, reported La Voz in February.

‘Safety Nets’

Senator Donald Murphy said the bond had built in “safety nets,” because the district could not spend all of the money at once.

“This assures you have money available down the line,” he said.

The bond’s size is nearly twice that of Measure E, a bond that was approved by voters in November 1999. Measure E funds were used to pay for the creation of the Kirsch Center, the new parking structure, and other buildings.

Unlike Measure E, the new bond includes money for equipment, such as microscopes for science labs and new computers.

The senate expected to vote on a campaign contribution at an upcoming meeting.