Proposition 3 would extend funding for San Diego community colleges

Community colleges in San Diego County play a vital role in educating thousands of students and supporting the local economy, according to an opinion piece in the Times of San Diego.

The funding that sustains these colleges comes from a tax on the wealthiest Californians, originally approved in 2012 and extended in 2016, which is set to expire in 2031. Proposition 3 aims to make this funding permanent.

Local community college chancellors emphasize that maintaining these tax rates is essential to avoid program cuts and to continue providing high-quality education that benefits the region’s businesses and healthcare facilities.

The California Legislative Analysts’ Office estimates that keeping the current tax rates would generate between $5 billion and $15 billion annually, with about 40% of that revenue supporting education, including San Diego’s community colleges.