We support Measure G because it is an investment in our county community colleges, which are an important anti-poverty program and a significant contributor to our local economy. First, here’s a brief description.
Measure G is a bond measure on the June 2, 2026, ballot for the Contra Costa Community College District (CCCCD). If approved, it would authorize the district to issue $920 million in bonds to fund significant upgrades and repairs across its three main campuses: Contra Costa College, Diablo Valley College, and Los Medanos College.
The measure is designed to address aging infrastructure and modernize facilities to meet current educational and safety standards. Key technical details include:
- Funding: $920 million in bonds.
- Tax Impact: An estimated property tax levy of approximately $10 per $100,000 of assessed property value.
- Approval Threshold: As a school bond measure, it requires a 55% majority to pass.
- Project Scope: Funds are designated for repairing outdated electrical, plumbing, and ventilation systems; meeting modern earthquake and fire safety codes; and improving accessibility for students with disabilities.
Why we support Measure G
Community College Education and Poverty
The primary reason we support Measure G is that it matches our mission: research consistently demonstrates that community colleges are a primary engine for upward social and economic mobility. By providing low-cost access to college education, our Contra Costa campuses bridge the gap for low-income individuals who might otherwise remain in the bottom income quintile. Very simply, our community colleges are a gateway out of poverty.
Core Impact on Economic Mobility
A significant body of research from the Pew Economic Mobility Project highlights that educational attainment is the most critical factor in escaping poverty. Key findings include:
- Earnings Boost: Obtaining a community college degree increases an individual’s annual earnings by an average of $7,900, representing a 29% increase over those with only a high school diploma.
- Breaking Intergenerational Poverty: Children from low-income families who attend a two- or four-year college are nearly four times as likely to reach the top of the income distribution compared to those who do not pursue postsecondary education.
- Reduction in Public Assistance: Associate degree holders receive approximately $22,000 less in lifetime public assistance than those with only a high school diploma, shifting individuals from being aid recipients to taxpayers.
High-Return Pathways
The degree of poverty alleviation is often tied to the specific field of study. Research indicates that certain vocational and technical tracks offer immediate, high-wage returns:
- Specialized Fields: Graduates in healthcare fields can earn over $18,000 more annually than those in lower-return fields like the fine arts.
- Vocational Gains: Research published by the Brookings Institution confirms that associate programs in nursing and allied health, as well as long-term vocational certificates, lead to the largest and most consistent earnings gains.
The “Transfer” Multiplier
Community colleges also serve as a critical gateway to four-year degrees, which further quadruples the chances of moving from the bottom income quintile to the top.
- High Performance: Among low-income students with strong high school GPAs, more than 52% start at a community college. Of those who transfer to a four-year institution, 75% successfully attain a bachelor’s degree.
- Equity in Access: Because community colleges enroll roughly 26% of students from low-income families (compared to 15% at four-year schools), they are the primary point of entry for the most economically vulnerable populations.
Their role in the local economy and public safety
Additionally, community colleges play a significant role in the local economy and public safety, and require regular investments to maintain them.
Workforce Preparation and Economic Impact
The bond will fund updates to classrooms and labs for high-demand “essential” programs. This includes:
- Healthcare: Updating facilities for nursing and medical training programs to address local healthcare worker shortages.
- First Responders: Enhancing training centers for emergency response and public safety programs.
- Transfer Readiness: Ensuring that students intending to transfer to four-year universities have access to competitive, modern science and technology laboratories.
Here’s a link to the Community College District’s Economic Impact Report.
Health, Safety, and Infrastructure
Many campus buildings are decades old and require urgent intervention to remain safe and functional. This includes:
- Safety Standards: Bringing buildings up to modern earthquake and fire codes.
- Hazard Removal: Removing asbestos, lead paint, and other hazardous materials from older structures.
- Environmental Efficiency: Replacing failing HVAC and plumbing systems with energy-efficient versions to reduce long-term district operating costs.
Local Control and Accountability
Importantly, Measure G includes fiscal safeguards to ensure the money is spent appropriately:
- Strict Project List: Funds can only be used for the specific projects listed in the bond’s project list, not for administrator salaries or pensions.
- Citizen Oversight: The measure requires an Independent Citizens’ Oversight Committee and annual audits to ensure transparency and accountability to taxpayers.
- Local Funding: Proponents emphasize that these funds stay within the county to benefit local students and cannot be seized by the state government.
The District has a strong track record of managing major projects and funding, and has oversight structures. These are important to gaining community support for financing programs like the one proposed in Measure G.
Protecting Property Values
Finally, it is well documented that maintaining high-quality local colleges protects overall community quality of life and supports local property values by ensuring a well-educated workforce and vibrant local economy.
