In the November 8 general election, voters will be asked to invest in New Mexico’s public colleges, universities and special schools.
General Obligation Bond 3 (also called Bond 3) will provide $215.6 million to renovate and modernize educational facilities.
If approved by voters across the state, Bond 3 will provide money to do just that without raising property taxes, according to a tax impact report from the Legislative Finance Committee. This is not a new tax or an increase to the existing property tax rate.
Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell issued a press release Sept. 20 about the GO bond allocation for its school. The $2.475 million “will fund critical fire safety upgrades to three campus buildings: the Arts and Science Center, the Lawrence C. Harris Career Technology Center, and the Physical Education Center,” the center says. communicated.
“These three buildings on the Roswell campus are used extensively by our diverse student body, including those enrolled in the Special Services and Early College High School classes,” said Shawn Powell, President of ENMU-Roswell. “We are maintaining our facilities with existing campus resources to the best of our abilities, but the funding we will receive through Bond 3 is the only way to complete major capital projects like this, so we appreciate the consideration voters in this election.
Portales ENMU would receive $9 million for the construction of a new student academic services building.
NMMI would receive $4 million for the expansion of Bates Hall.
Colonel David West, chief of staff, said in March, as state lawmakers considered GO bond applications, the funding would be used in 2023 to add about 7,800 square feet to the dining hall of Bates Hall, built in 1918 and having its last major renovation in 2014.
The two-level building incorporates other functions, but expansion of the mess hall is requested, West said, because the current space is “cramped” for the number of cadets and the Institute needs to split the department of meals to accommodate everyone.
He also said that NMMI has no taxing power and therefore uses GO bond funding for its capital projects.
“NMMI has been a good steward of public trust for these funds,” West said.
The passage of Bond 3 is also estimated to create about 2,156 new jobs in 23 New Mexico communities during project work in construction, architecture and related fields, according to a Bond 3 advocacy website, bond3formnm. com. As the ENMU-Roswell press release noted, the funding will therefore contribute to the state’s economic development and gross tax revenue.
“Bond 3 will help maintain the educational institutions that New Mexicans have already invested in and give colleges and universities the resources to continue providing safe, quality educational environments,” the press release reads.
Absentee voting and in-person early voting begin Tuesday, October 11. Expanded Early Voting is scheduled for Saturday October 22 through Saturday November 5. Election day is Tuesday, November 8, with open polls in person voting from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Additional information about General Obligation Bond 3, including a detailed list of projects the bond would fund throughout New Mexico, is available at www.bond3fornm.com.
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