California taxpayers are facing a hefty bill to erase the legacy of union leader Cesar Chavez from various public spaces, including schools and streets.
Chavez, who was a prominent figure in the 1960s and ’70s as the founder of the United Farm Workers, has been accused of sexually assaulting and abusing women and girls as young as 12.
As a result of these allegations, California has already changed the name of Cesar Chavez Day, which honored his birthday on March 31.
Chavez spent most of his life in California, where nearly 50 schools, along with streets, monuments, and murals pay tribute to him.
However, in a swift backlash against this once-iconic Labor leader, statues are coming down, streets are being renamed, and murals featuring his likeness are being obscured.
A statue of Chavez was taken down in San Fernando, and at Santa Ana College, a mural depicting him was covered over.
The California Secretary of State, along with the Treasury Department and the United Farm Workers Union, has been contacted to clarify who will oversee these removals.
According to Danamona Andrianarimanana from the California Department of Treasury, the cost of removing a statue or changing street signs depends on the land ownership. He indicated that the city is likely responsible since the Chavez statue and sign were not on state property.
Moreover, the school board is in charge of naming decisions, and any costs associated with changing a school’s name would fall to the district.
Updating signage, bank accounts, and other legalities can add up to thousands for each business impacted.
Herb Morgan, a candidate for State Administrator, acknowledged that the financial burden would predominantly fall on taxpayers, estimating costs could exceed $10 million.
“It involves local governments, cities, counties, and school districts. If state assets are removed, that cost will have to be covered by the state and will tap into existing local budgets,” Morgan explained, drawing on almost four decades of experience in finance.
He also cited that Fresno previously spent $142,000 to rename a 10-mile stretch of road, noting, “It’s going to cost more to put the old sign back up.”
Fresno City Council has agreed to restore the original names of California Avenue, Ventura Street, and Kings Canyon Road, starting this Tuesday.
Interestingly, a similar renaming effort in San Francisco back in 1995 ballooned from an initial budget of $20,000 for renaming Army Street to nearly $900,000 due to the necessity of replacing signs on major highways.
In Bakersfield, it’s estimated that replacing street signs will cost around $30,000, with highway signs fetching up to $200,000.
Given California’s prior experiences, the costs associated with renaming schools seem likely to be steep.
A 2021 attempt by the San Francisco Unified School District to rename 44 schools met with legal challenges and protests. The estimated change costs ranged between $400,000 and a million, amidst a hefty budget deficit of $155 million.
Mayor Karen Bass has already changed Cesar Chavez Day to Farm Workers Day, emphasizing that this shift could extend to holidays, buildings, and streets.
In conclusion, these developments highlight a challenging financial landscape. Renaming schools, replacing signage, and removing monuments carry significant economic implications.
