Boy have times changed. Just 20 years ago, anyone who simply suggested raising property taxes in California would have been driven out of the state ... never to be let back in.

Now, a March 2000 ballot will ask voters to make it easer to pass local bond elections by moving from a two-thirds majority to a simple majority vote. In turn, experts believe property taxes would increase as a way to finance bond issues like the building of new schools.

The last time California attempted something similar was in 1993. This time, however, a poll indicates that 59 percent of respondents are in favor of the measure.

Experts also believe the proposition would be easier to pass because so much attention has been turned to education - the primary focus of local bond elections.