Vote on Bond 3

Early voting for the November 5th election begins on October 8th in New Mexico.  One of the statewide ballot questions is bond funding for higher education capital projects.  This occurs every other year, with $230 million in projects proposed for funding this time.  It is an all or nothing proposition.  Either it passes and 10-year bonds are sold to support the projects, or it fails and no new bonds are sold.

As an employee at a state-supported college, I am bound by the New Mexico Governmental Conduct Act.  Not only does it specify that I cannot use my “official authority” to influence an election, it states that this would be a violation of federal law.  Southeast New Mexico College receives federal funding, so 5 U.S.C. Section 1502(a), commonly referred to as the Hatch Act, applies as well. 

This is why colleges and schools are very careful about providing information about bond issues.  Most of what you will find in a “voter education” effort about capital projects is, however, a bit disingenuous.  It is rare that a governmental entity is not interested in receiving funding.  So I am taking a different tack.  Below you will find 150 words each from two different perspectives focused on facts, so that you, the reader, can form your own opinion. 

First perspective:  If one believes in limited government and lower taxes, a vote against Bond 3 will ensure that $230 million dollars of state taxpayer funds are not expended.  Like many bond issues, it promises “no tax increase” in its marketing materials (see www.investinbond3.com as an example).  This is true because the funds that were used to cover what is due annually on 10-year bonds issued in 2014 would be redirected to pay for new bonds, but the fact remains that a vote against Bond 3 will save the taxpayers of New Mexico $230 million over ten years.  There are forty-three projects distributed across the state on the list.  Unlike a local bond election where voters can learn how their own community will benefit, few will be able to know whether this is a good decision.  A vote of no will register one’s support for less state spending and more local control. 

Second perspective:  A vote for Bond 3 will invest $230 million in our colleges and universities.  This is an incredible value.  Economic impact studies typically show that the state receives over five dollars of benefit for every dollar invested in higher education.  If the measure passes, twenty-three of twenty-nine counties will receive funding, with Eddy County receiving $722,607 for the Artesia Agricultural Sciences Center and $5 million for the new Trades x Technologies Building at SENMC.  These projects target the preparation of the next generation of workers in the most critical economic drivers of our region:  oil & gas, agriculture, and transuranic waste disposal, as well as the trades that support these industries, such as electricians and industrial maintenance.  Over half of the funding would go to universities serving all New Mexicans, including $35 million for the renovation of a fifty-year old facility housing the University of New Mexico College of Pharmacy. 

This fall’s vote is the final step in a process that began with the submission of potential projects to the New Mexico Higher Education Department Capital Outlay Committee for evaluation in June 2023.  The list they approved moved to the Legislature, where it was considered in committees before unanimous approvals in the House and Senate.  The governor’s signature in March 2024 placed it on the ballot.  Now it is up to you.  Let your voice be heard! 

Kevin Beardmore may be reached at kbeardmore@senmc.edu or 575.234.9211.