NEW YORK – Texas voters approved 11 constitutional amendments yesterday, including Proposition 1, which gives towns and counties the right to issue bonds or notes to buy open space near military bases to buffer them from encroaching civilian development, and Proposition 6, which renews a lending program for Texas military veterans by authorizing $2 billion of housing bonds to be issued by the Texas Veterans Land Board.
With 98.7% of the referenda tallied, voters had approved 191 questions totaling $7.509 billion, or 76.4%.
Also approved was Proposition 4, which creates a national research university fund out of $500 million in existing state money.
In Marion County, Ind., voters approved the sale of $754 million bonds to construct a new hospital. Voters in the Perry Township Multi-School District, however, appear to have rejected a $98.885 million school improvement bond issue.
Detroit voters consented to the sale of $500.54 million school bonds and elected Mayor Dave Bing to his first full term.
In New Jersey, voters chose Republican Chris Christie to be their next governor, defeating incumbent Jon Corzine. Voters apparently narrowly approved a $400 million open space preservation bond referendum by a 52%-48% margin, with 97% of the vote counted.
In Utah, voters in the Granite School District strongly backed a $256 million bond plan, Davis School District approved a $250 million bond referendum, Salt lake voters consented to the sale of $125 million of bonds for public safety and emergency operations center construction.
In Virginia, voters elected Republican Robert F. McDonnell as governor, over Democratic state Sen. R. Creigh Deeds. Voters in Fairfax County assented to the sale of $232.58 million in school bonds to build a middle school in the south part of the county and to fund nine other improvement projects at elementary and middle schools.
In Ohio, voters agreed to issue $200 million of bonds to pay bonuses to veterans or their survivors. Voters also backed a plan to allow casinos in Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Toledo. But in Champaign County, voters in Northeastern Local SD and Northwestern LSD rejected bond deals. Northeastern voters turned down a $65.844 million proposal, while Northwestern voters nixed $28.24 million of bonds. Voters in the Findlay CSD narrowly approved a $54.195 million bond-financed construction program.
Elsewhere in Texas, Arlington Intermediate School District voters appear to have approved a $197.4 million bond package for construction, repairs and upgrades, technology, transportation and a fine arts program. Bonds did not fare as well in Brazosport ISD, where voters rejected a $166 million issue to replace three schools, add classrooms and gyms and build a districtwide natatorium, and fund other improvements. Channelview ISD voters approved $111.145 million of bonds: $73.775 million for construction, additions and renovations, and $37.37 million for construction, additions, improvements, land and buses.
In Wylie ISD, voters approved a $24.94 million measure for additions and renovations to five schools and construction of Achieve Academy, but rejected a $7.775 million measure for upgrades at campuses and stadiums and a $44.25 million package that would have improved and added athletic facilities at Wylie and Wylie East high schools.
Alvin ISD voters approved $70 million of bonds for construction and land purchases. While South San Antonio ISD voters turned down a plan to issue $62 million if bonds. Lubbock voters came up with a split decision, approving $43.085 million street improvement bonds and $7.5 million for fire stations, but kayoed a $9 million soccer facility referendum and a $1.2 million plan for water recreation equipment.
Still in Texas, the Clear Lake City Water Authority proposal for $58 million of bonds was approved. Also approved were three proposals by the Woodlands Township: $20.2 million for debt refinancing, $17.3 million for fire station construction, and $12.3 million for parks.
In Arizona, Surprise voters appear to have rejected a $185 million bond issue, with early results showing more than 70% of the voters against the plan. The bonds would have funded transportation, public safety, parks and economic development. But Tempe Elementary School District No. 3 voters approved $77 million of issuance.
In Douglas County, Ga., voters narrowly approved selling $120 million in bonds to build a new jail. The unofficial tally had the bonds approved by 50.2% to 49.8%.
In Boulder County, Colo., voters turned down a $50 million bond issue for open space acquisition, the first time in 20 years voters in the county rejected an open space plan, according to reports. Voters also nixed an $85 million bond issue that would have expanded a low-interest loan program for renewable energy upgrades. A $6.1 million energy conservation issue was approved by voters.
In California, San Rafael voters turned thumbs down on Measure G, which would have allowed the issuance of $88 million of bonds to build a new police and fire station downtown and seismically retrofit six other fire stations. Mill Valley SD voters approved $59.8 million of bonds.
Independence City School District, Mo., voters approved the sale of $85 million of bond for construction, renovations and repair. Springfield PSD R-12 voters supported a request for $50 million in bonds.
Maine voters approved $71.25 million in bond issuance for transportation and energy projects.
Warren Consolidate School District, Mich., voters approved a $65.705 million school improvement bond program. But voters in Pinckney Community SD rejected a $59.465 million bond plan.
In Minnesota, voters rejected a $58 million Hermantown ISD 700 referendum calling for school additions, construction and improvements.
