NEW YORK – Voters in New Jersey yesterday rejected a $450 million plan to fund stem-cell research with bonds, while approving borrowing $200 million for recreation and conservation land acquisition.
In elections elsewhere, Denver voters appeared to have approved the $549.73 million of bonds before them, with only the $70 million new cultural facilities construction in doubt. The $70 million bond vote was being approved 51%-49%, with the others -- $149.786 million streets, transportation, and public works; $93.387 million parks; $65.195 million public safety; $60.546 million cultural facilities maintenance; $51.883 million libraries; $48.583 million human and health services; and $10.35 million public offices facilities -- winning by larger majorities.
In North Carolina, Mecklenburg County voters approved $516 million for Charlotte-Mecklenburg school. Durham County voters okayed $207.1 million of bonds, including $194.2 million for schools, $8.7 million for community colleges, and $4.2 million for museums. Gaston County voters overwhelmingly approved issuance of $175 million school bonds.
Fairfax County, Va., voters approved $365.2 million of school bonds and $110 million in bonds for improvement of highways, parking, pedestrian development and early costs of connecting with Washington's light rail. While Loudoun County voters approved a total of $99.53 million of bonds comprised of $31.425 million recreation center bonds, $15.475 million for schools, $13.51 million for community center projects, $10 million for fire station projects, $8.33 million for sheriff substation projects, $8.3 million for fire and rescue station projects, $7.13 million for library facilities, and $5,36 million for sheriff substation construction.
Voters in Lexington-Richland Counties SD 5 in South Carolina defeated a $256.5 million plan to build three schools, renovate seven others and build a technology training center.
In California, Antelope Valley Joint Union High School District voters failed to support Measure W, which received 50.02% of the votes, falling short of the 55% needed for its passage. Alvord USD voters approved a $196 million school construction and renovation plan. Sunnyvale voters turned down a request for $108 million in library construction bonds.
In Utah, Salt Lake City voters rejected a $192 million bond issue for public safety facilities.
In Maine, $35.5 million of the three-part $134 million bond package was approved, with the other portions leading in unofficial results. The $35.5 conservation bonds were approved, and the $55 economic development and job creation and $43.5 million school bonds had each gathered about 51% of the vote.
In Arizona, Gilbert voters appeared to approve a $174 million road-construction bond. Amphitheater USD 10 voters approved $180 million of school bonds. Cave Creek USD 93 voters turned down the school’s request for $123.47 million for improvements and transportation.
In Minnesota, Elk River ISD 728 voters nixed a $133 million bond package for school construction. St. Francis ISD 15 voters rejected the $65 million school construction bonds.
In Michigan, Portage public schools had two bond proposals: $89.88 million for school improvements and $29.675 million for construction, both issues were approved. In Traverse City Area Public School District, the $105 million school bonds passed by a vote of 69 to 68.
In Wisconsin, West Bend SD 11 voters rejected a $119.3 million construction and improvement bond issue, with nearly 63% of voters opposed. Sun Prairie ASD voters agreed to borrow $96 million for new school construction, but decided against borrowing another $3.325 million for a swimming pool at the new school.
