NJ voters face ballot question on $500M bond for schools

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) -- New Jersey voters, in addition to deciding competitive Senate and House races, will also decide the fate of $500 million in bonds that would be used for a host of school-related initiatives.

It's the only question on the ballot on Nov. 6 and asks voters whether to approve the $500 million in new debt for school security, county colleges, vocational schools and water infrastructure.

The constitution requires voter approval of new debts.

The Democrat-led Legislature and Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy approved the bipartisan measure to get the question on the ballot, but not without a disagreement over the amount of the bonds.

Murphy halved the legislative proposal from $1 billion to $500 million, citing the state's already heavy debt load.