The Bee had a feature piece this morning about the little talked about Proposition 81, a $600 million dollar proposed bond initiative to renovate libraries.

This is one of those propositions where it would seem you would have to be terribly cruel hearted to vote No. After all, everyone (well, most everyone) likes libraries and recognizes their value.

This includes myself. As a member of the Sacramento Youth Commission, I have been a strong advocate of a new library here in the Pocket area of Sacramento. I have even testified in front of the city council about the need to ease overcrowding at other libraries, and am pleased that they recently allocated $4 million for a new facility.

Yet, I cannot support this proposition. It comes down to two very simple things: A. The state cannot afford to take on any more debt, and B. It is not the responsibility of the State to fund local libraries.

California is already deeply in debt from bond measures of the past. And if Governor Schwarzenegger’s BIG bonds pass in November, which it appears they will, that debt will be exacerbated all the more. So we simply cannot afford this right now.

The other, probably more important reason, is that this is not the proper means in which to fund new library projects. Unlike education and some other public services, libraries are not primarily funded with money from the state. They are financed by local governments.

True the state does chip in. But this help should be budgeted on a year to year basis, not with a massive bond that will indebt the entire state for two generations.

If a local agency wants to raise funds, they have the power to borrow or raise taxes, just as Sacramento has done with a $26 annual parcel tax. But don’t ask the whole state to pay for it.

As Senator Tom McClintock says, this bond will “Rob Piedmont to pay Pasadena.” That just isn’t right.

Vote no on 81.