(The Center Square) – The New Mexico Higher Education Department has recommended that 27 public and tribal college and university campuses, three special schools, and the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center get funding for 42 capital improvement, renovation, infrastructure, and demolition projects totaling $307.5 million, spending that nearly equals all the tuition the schools receive.
Officials made these recommendations to the Legislative Finance Committee for consideration after an extensive review process by the Higher Education Capital Outlay Committee.
The department said the recommended projects will improve educational environments, improve health and safety, and energy efficiency.
“Capital outlay funding is critical for supporting facilities and infrastructure throughout the state. The Higher Education Department’s funding recommendation supports our continued commitment to providing state-of-the-art facilities, safe learning environments, and improved campus infrastructure for the students and residents of New Mexico. I’m proud to be part of the process which supports construction jobs in the short term and creates learning environments and infrastructure to support higher education in New Mexico today, and into the future,” Higher Education Acting Deputy Secretary and Capital Outlay Director Gerald Hoehne, said.
Of the recommended projects, 33 that cost a combined $229.4 million will go before the legislature this upcoming session for approval. Then, voters must approve the funding via next year’s general obligation (GO) bond election.
Plus, the agency recommends funding 14 more projects totaling $66.1 million using state general funds and four demolition projects totaling $11.9 million.
In the past four years, the state has invested $368.9 million in state funds for higher education facilities statewide. Doing so has created an estimated 3,700 jobs, the release claimed.
Last November, voters approved a $215.9 million investment in higher education campus construction and infrastructure projects via a statewide bond election.
Additionally, local bond elections are on the ballot this year for Central New Mexico Community College and Santa Fe Community College; the colleges would use the money to fund technology and campus improvements.
“Projects funded through bond elections are supported by the sale of severance tax bonds and local property taxes,” the release said. “Passage of these bonds does not increase taxes.”
The New Mexico Higher Education Department’s Capital Outlay Committee hosted five regional hearings this past August to look at proposed funding requests from the state’s 32 public and Tribal colleges, universities, and special schools.
Department officials visited several campuses statewide to review what the schools wanted to upgrade or demolish.
The requested additional funding would be on top of the $1.2 billion in state and local funding higher education already receives annually in New Mexico. These schools also receive $469 million in tuition revenue, according to State Higher Education Finance.
