Bond elections

The biggest bond measure in the nation Tuesday appears to have passed narrowly, but Texas voters took a negative view of several big bond proposals.

Voters in Virginia also decided the fate of several large bond referendums while Atlanta voters will see a mayoral runoff at the end of the month.

Most bond issues appear to be approved, but many were rejected.

Texas voters are considering an array of local bond measures to fund projects for schools, cities and counties.

Not only do government entities have new federal funds destined to reach them soon, but citizens also are supporting bond elections in record numbers.

The $8.5 billion on the ballots included $6.5 billion for schools, $1.6 billion for cities, $319 million for counties and $139 million for community colleges.

A year after the traditional May bond elections were canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic, Texans will consider bonds for local issuers, mostly schools.

State court rulings have successfully challenged the need for more than a simple majority on voter-driven tax measures, most recently in San Francisco.

The governor pointed out the advantages of the current low interest-rate market environment and the state’s low debt levels.

Lt. Gov. Dan McKee succeeds her on a day state voters approved seven bond measures totaling $400 million.