MISTAKE: CAGOP Wants Yes on Prop 2, A Tax Increase to Fund Democrats

On Wednesday, in a shocking move, the California Republican Party (CAGOP) sent its Initiatives Committee Report to Party Delegates requesting permission to support Prop 2 — a bond measure that is effectively a massive tax increase. Worse, the measure helps fund Democrat politicians.

Even worse, this would violate the CAGOP’s own platform, which calls for a “constitutional ban” on bonds.

But, there is time to stop the CAGOP from making this massive mistake.

What is Prop 2?

Proposition 2 is titled the “Education finance: school facilities: Kindergarten Through Grade 12 Schools and Local Community College Public Education Facilities Modernization, Repair, and Safety Bond Act of 2024,” and allegedly authorizes a $10 billion bond to pay for K-12 and community college facility improvements. But there’s a catch.

1. We Can’t Afford Prop 2

First, bonds are a loan or credit line for the government that must be repaid with taxpayer dollars — with interest. They are essentially a tax increase. And while the idea of a bond might work if it was going to a necessary cause, the funding in Prop 2’s bond is not just unnecessary — it’s wasteful.

Under California’s current budget plans, the state aims to take on $100 billion in debt to pay for new spending like under Prop 2 — while leaving other programs underfunded.

Worse, not only can we not afford the additional spending — but it’s not even needed. School facilities can be improved under the state’s current funds, but to do so they would have to practice smart budgeting and cut back on funding wasteful pet programs — like free healthcare for illegal immigrants.

Instead, the state would rather rack up more debt and hand you the bill.

Additionally, Prop 2 requires no strict accountability or reporting measures — meaning there may be no way to ever accurately audit what funding is spent on!

2. Prop 2 Does Not Improve School Facilities

Prop 2 is written to mislead voters. Most of Prop 2’s funding will be spent on administrative uses, such as salaries, to “investigate,” “assess,” and hold “meetings” about the state of school facilities.

In fact, it’s possible that not even a penny of Prop 2 will actually go toward school facility improvements — and could instead be diverted to fund unrelated projects to cover the general fund’s deficit.

3. Prop 2 Funds Democrats and Special Interests

More than anything, Prop 2 is a giveaway to Democrats and special interests. It contains a provision on “Project Labor Agreements” (PLAs) — requiring that only union contractors can bid on contracts awarded under Prop 2.

This means that taxpayers will be required to pay the paychecks of union workers on Prop 2 projects. Union dues will then be deducted from that taxpayer paycheck and sent to the union’s political fund. The union will then send those funds to Democrat politicians to encourage more favorable contracts.

Worse, Project Labor Agreements typically balloon the cost of a project by 30-40% — wasting taxpayer money. And they block small businesses from being able to compete.

Why is the CAGOP About to Endorse Prop 2?

Per its own platform, the California Republican Party states: “We call for a constitutional ban on any bonded indebtedness to cover general operating deficits, and we oppose unfunded federal and state mandates. We support our Republican legislators’ efforts to require California's government to live within its means.”

So not only would supporting Prop 2 be supporting a tax increase, wasteful spending, and funding Democrats in a slap in the face to conservatives — it would violate the CAGOP’s own promise of its values.

And this isn’t the first time this has happened. In the March 2024 Primary Election, the CAGOP recommended a “neutral” stance on Prop 1 — a bond measure that narrowly passed and awarded Gavin Newsom with over $6.4 billion to allegedly help the homeless — but it too contained provisions on PLAs to help fund Democrat politicians.

This neutral position gave Republican voters permission to vote for Prop 1 thinking it wasn’t that bad — likely giving Newsom his narrow victory.

Now, the CAGOP wants to outright “support” Prop 2. Why? Either they haven’t looked into Prop 2 enough — or worse.

How to Stop CAGOP Mistake & Defeat Prop 2 in November

You can help stop the CAGOP from making this mistake and help defeat Prop 2 in the following ways:

1. REJECT CAGOP Prop 2 Recommendation: If you are a CAGOP delegate, you will receive a ballot (see sample ballot here) in the coming days with the Initiatives Committee Recommendations. Under the section on your ballot titled "Reject Specific Recommendation of the Initiatives Committee," check the box next to Prop 2 to REJECT their position of "SUPPORT." Next, check the box next to Prop 2 to CHANGE the CAGOP position to "OPPOSE." It will require 2/3 of all delegates voting to successfully overturn the current CAGOP recommendation.
2. Vote NO on Prop 2: Be sure to vote NO on Prop 2 and share this info with your friends, family, and community.
3. Contribute: In addition to voting to stop this mistake and defeat Prop 2, please consider chipping into our efforts to get this news out! We can’t continue to fund our work without your support!

UPDATE SEPTEMBER 5th: Unfortunately, CAGOP officially endorsed YES on Prop 2. CCR is thankful for people like Carl DeMaio, Bill Essayli, and Harmeet Dhillon for standing up and helping to try to defeat the corrupt endorsement.