Bond elections

Voters in the Lone Star State approved $14.5 billion of the $16 billion in state and local bonds on the ballot Nov. 5.

The Ann Arbor, Michigan, schools persuaded voters that waiting would be more expensive, while pitching greener buildings in an education-driven community.

Tuesday's results were led by the city of Scottsdale, which won voter authorization for $319 million of bonds.

Schools, public transit and medical research are among the beneficiaries of successful bond measures Tuesday in the Lone Star State.

Voters were willing to spend, approving most of the largest bond issues before them.

Heavyweight ballot measures include $3.5 billion from the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County and $3 billion for the Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas.

Government leaders at every level need funding for projects, and when the revenue is not available, voters are asked to approve bonds.

Phil Murphy wants to put a $500 million bond referendum before voters to help pay for making the state’s water systems lead-free.

The general obligation bond measure would allocate $9 billion to K-12 schools and $6 billion to the state's universities and community colleges.

If the bonds are approved in March, the junk-rated city plans to issue $250 million of new money, unlimited tax general obligation bonds in 2020.