Maxine Waters' Stance on School Bond Raises Eyebrows

Voters in Compton are watching two local heavyweights land on opposite sides of a $360 million school bond, and the split is raising eyebrows. Dr. Dre is publicly backing Measure CPT, which would fund a new Dominguez High School, while Democratic Rep. Maxine Waters' campaign mailer tells residents to vote no—a stance that has baffled district leaders and confused some voters ahead of Tuesday's election. According to Steve Lopez at the Los Angeles Times, the existing school building has outdated plumbing and wiring, and its cafeteria burned down three years ago, with an electrical issue suspected.

Compton school board president Micah Ali said Waters' position "left me baffled," adding a no vote would stunt the city's future, per Politico. Dre, who has given $10 million to fund a new performing arts center at Compton High School, argues the money is needed to continue modernizing schools in the area. "An investment in our schools is an investment in the future of Compton," he says. Though the measure could cost taxpayers up to several hundred dollars a year, Waters' office hasn't explained the recommendation. The mailer was sent by her campaign committee and branded as her "sample ballot," though fine print notes it isn't an official party document and that an appearance "does not necessarily imply endorsement."