Market Watch: Funding

California lowers school bond threshold School districts in California will have an easier time acquiring funds for construction projects, thanks to a statewide proposition approved by voters.

By approving Proposition 39, voters have loosened the requirements for schools to pass bond issues. Instead of needing support from two-thirds of the voters, districts now need only 55 percent. School officials have complained that the higher threshold was an unreasonably difficult standard to meet in a state with critical facilities needs.

Earlier this year, Californians rejected a more ambitious proposal that would have lowered the approval threshold to a simple majority.