Voters approve bond questions and amendments

New Mexico voters on Tuesday approved two proposed constitutional amendments intended to expand property tax exemptions for veterans, though the measures could increase tax rates for other homeowners.

According to unofficial vote totals, four statewide bond questions also had strong voter support, along with proposed Constitutional Amendment 4. It would give county commissioners, and not the Legislature, the power to set salaries for county officials.

Proposed Constitutional Amendment 3 — the most closely contested measure — would allow the dean of the University of New Mexico School of Law to appoint a designee to serve as chair of the Appellate Judges Nominating Commission. Voters approved the measure by just 51% to 49% -- about 21,000 votes.

The two property tax measures are intended to make New Mexico more attractive to veterans seeking to relocate here, lawmakers have said. Others say the measures could shift the property tax burden to nonveterans, including elderly homeowners.

Constitutional Amendment 1 would extend a property tax exemption to partially disabled veterans that now is available only to 100% disabled veterans and their widowed spouses. The amount of the exemption would be equal to the percentage of the veteran’s disability rating, which is determined by the federal government.

Constitutional Amendment 2 would increase a property tax exemption that all veterans can claim from $4,000 to $10,000 and would peg future increases to inflation. The measure would expand the number of homeowners eligible for a property tax exemption from the current figure of 7,000 to an estimated 29,400.

Nearly 150,000 military veterans reside in New Mexico, a state with one of the nation’s highest percentages of residents who served in the armed forces.

Bond questions

Four statewide bond questions received voter approval with large majorities. Those measures would provide capital funding for universities, public libraries, law enforcement agencies and senior centers around the state.

Bond Question 1 would provide up to $30.7 million for the state’s Aging and Long-Term Services Department for senior citizen facility improvements.

Bond Question 2 would provide up to $19.3 million for library acquisitions statewide.

Bond Question 3 contains the most expensive projects. It would provide $230.2 million for higher education capital outlay projects, including $52 million to build a University of New Mexico Social Sciences Complex, $35 million to renovate the UNM College of Pharmacy, and $20 million for infrastructure projects at New Mexico State University.

Bond Question 4 would provide $10 million for public safety radio communications systems statewide.