Proposition 50 was a proposition in the state of California on the November 5, 2002 ballot. It passed successfully with 3,808,594 (55.4%) votes in favor and 3,076,333 (44.6%) against. It was placed on the ballot through the initiative process.

The question before voters was:

Should the state borrow three billion four hundred forty million dollars ($3,440,000,000) through the sale of general obligation bonds for a variety of water projects including coastal protection, the CALFED Bay-Delta Program, integrated regional water management, safe drinking water, and water quality?

See also: List of California ballot propositions 2000-present

Official summary

Summary of Legislative Analyst's Estimate of Net State and Local Government Fiscal Impact:

  • State cost of up to $6.9 billion over 30 years to pay off both the principal ($3.44 billion) and interest ($3.46 billion) costs on the bonds. Payments of about $230 million per year.
  • Reduction in local property tax revenues, ranging from a few million dollars to roughly $10 million annually, about one-half of which would be offset by state payments to schools to make up their revenue loss.
  • Unknown costs to state and local governments to operate or maintain properties or projects purchased or developed with these bond funds.

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