NM voters approve $223 million in state bonds

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - New Mexicans approved four general obligation bonds for projects at colleges and universities, hospitals and senior centers and to buy books for libraries.

The bonds, which would be paid through statewide property taxes, would generate a total of $223 million for the projects.

The closest measure in Tuesday's election — to provide $11 million in books for state and tribal libraries — passed with more than 52 percent of the vote.

The measures mean the owner of a $100,000 house would pay an extra $18.06 during the 2009 property tax year, according to a state analysis. The annual cost would decrease slightly each year after that.

Higher education institutions would receive $140 million, while $14.7 million goes for construction projects and to provide equipment for senior citizen centers across New Mexico.

Another bond would fund $57.8 million for projects at health care facilities, including $17 million for the University of New Mexico Cancer Research and Treatment Center.

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