California Farmer's Measure Takes On Jerry Brown's legacy

STOCKTON, Calif. (AP) — A farmer and food processor in California's Central Valley is facing off against Gov. Jerry Brown this election cycle on financing big state building projects. Dean, or Dino, Cortopassi of Stockton is the man behind Proposition 53.

The measure would require statewide votes on big state projects that need $2 billion or more in revenue bonds. The measure could threaten Brown's plans to build two giant water tunnels for nearly $16 billion, and high-speed rail for $64 billion. Brown has started running TV commercials urging Californians to vote it down.

Cortopassi is an outspoken 79-year-old and first-generation Italian immigrant. He says he's concerned above all with growing state bond debt. He also says the public should have a right to know the total costs of projects and decide whether to allow them. Cortopassi and his family have given $5 million campaigning for the measure. The governor and other opponents to the measure are outspending them more than three times.