SPI Insights

Voters across Texas passed more than $12.2 billion out of a total $13 billion in bond propositions November 5.

Of the 84 entities that had bond propositions on the ballot, 66 of them had propositions that passed or a portion that were successful. Fifteen of the 20 highest-dollar measures were for educational organizations, most of them public school districts.

Houston voters green-lighted the $3.5 billion METRONext bond referendum, which will fund expansions to light rail, bus-rapid transit, and automated transit services.

Arlington ISD voters backed the district’s $965.93 million bond package that includes $413.5 million for priority condition needs such as security system upgrades, ADA improvements, and lighting enhancements among various capital projects.

Voters supported Tarrant Community College District’s $825 million bond that will fund numerous campus redevelopment projects.

Conroe ISD’s successful Proposition A will support $315.8 million in construction of new campuses and additions and $239.2 million in renovations among other bond items. The district’s Proposition B will finance the $23.8 million artificial turf installation at high school athletic fields.

A need for increased elementary education capacity drove the passage of Forney ISD’s $623 million bond. Midland ISD’s $569 million bond measure passed by 12 votes, but results were unofficial as of November 7 because provisional and military ballots had yet to be tallied.

Williamson County’s $447 million in bonds will go toward $412 million in road and drainage projects and $35 million in parks and trails initiatives. Ysleta ISD passed a $425 million bond for new campuses and renovations of existing schools.

City of El Paso citizens showed their support for public safety by passing the city’s $413.12 million bond that will fund the construction of new headquarters for police and fire departments, new command centers, and new stations in addition to a public safety training center.

For more information on these bond items and more, see SPI’s Texas Bond Election Report for Fall 2019.