New Mexicans decide on several constitutional amendments

Aside from the national presidential and congressional races and the state legislature , New Mexicans voted on several key issues Tuesday that will change regulation and funding in the state.

 New Mexico voters approved three general obligation bond proposals that provide more than $140 million for senior citizen centers, libraries and colleges and universities around the state.

Officials at the University of New Mexico say the bonds include $19 million for renovations on the main campus and another $5.5 million is set to go to branch campuses in Gallup, Los Alamos, Taos and Valencia County.

Senior centers will share $10.3 million in bonds for improvements, new construction and other equipment. $9.8 million in bonds would go to state agencies for purchasing books, electronic resources and other materials as well as library construction projects.

Meanwhile, New Mexico voters also approved one of the proposed constitutional amendments aimed at revamping the Public Regulation Commission.  The amendment allows the state Legislature to establish minimum qualifications for PRC candidates. Currently, a candidate needs only to be 18, a New Mexico resident for at least one year and have no felony convictions.

On the two other PRC reform amendments the voting was much closer. The measures, which would transfer registration duties of the Corporations Bureau to the Secretary of State’s Office and remove insurance regulation to a new superintendent of insurance, had 51 percent voter approval.

Lastly, state voters approved a constitutional amendment that establishes the Public Defender Department as an independent state agency. The department provides lawyers to represent people charged with crimes who can't afford a private attorney. The amendment calls for forming an independent commission that would appoint the state's chief public defender, who would then oversee the department. Currently, the governor appoints the chief public defender.

For Newsbreak New Mexico- Vanessa Dabovich

New Mexicans decide on several constitutional amendments