Gov. Jerry Brown is in no rush to spend money from Proposition 51 until the Legislature approves plans for stronger, independent audits of school bond spending.
H.D. Palmer, deputy director for External Affairs at the California Department of Finance, says the governor does not want the money from Prop. 51 to be misused.
He cited past instances where school construction money was spent on golf carts, pickup trucks and even on uniforms for school mascots.
“One of the things that we found in reviewing past bond expenditures is what we believe is a lack of accountability,” Palmer says.
Supporters of the bond measure have said in the past that California’s schools are in desperate need of upgrades and repairs.
But they also do not expect the governor’s requirements to lead to major delays. Brown opposed the school bond last year, saying it unfairly prioritizes wealthy school districts that already have matching construction funds.
The $9 billion bond project was passed by voter in November 2016.
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