This measure, if approved by a majority of those voting, would permit the Loma Prieta Joint Union Elementary School District to maintain its current Proposition 4 spending limitation for four years.

Existing law, enacted in 1979 as part of Proposition 4 (now California Constitution Article XIIIB), restricts governmental spending by setting an annual appropriations (i.e., expenditures) limit for governmental agencies. This appropriations limit is sometimes called the "Gann limit."

The California Constitution authorizes voters to change this appropriations limit for a maximum period of four years at a time. Unless the voters do so, the appropriations limit will be based on an earlier year's limit, adjusted for changes in the cost of living and population. The voters of the District approved in 1996 an increase of the appropriations limit by the amount of a special tax.

The ballot measure does not authorize the District to impose a new assessment or increase the property tax rate. Instead it would permit the District to continue to spend the $150 per parcel special tax which was approved by the voters in 1996.

A "yes" vote on Measure A is a vote to continue the previously approved increase in the District's appropriations (expenditures) limit. A "no" vote on Measure A is a vote against continuing the previously approved increase in the District's appropriations (expenditures) limit.

DWIGHT L. HERR, COUNTY COUNSEL
By: JANE M. SCOTT
Assistant County Counsel