Rhode Island voters will decide five separate borrowing questions on the Nov. 3 ballot, totaling $600 million for colleges, housing, economic development, cultural facilities and environmental projects.
The secretary of state's voter handbook estimates total repayment at $962.9 million if all five pass. That includes about $362.9 million in interest, based on 20-year loans at 5%. Actual financing costs may differ.
Question 1 requests $275 million: $165 million for a University of Rhode Island health building, $50 million for Rhode Island College's Adams Library and $60 million for a Community College of Rhode Island Workforce Innovation Center in Warwick.
Question 2 seeks $120 million for housing, including at least $25 million for homeownership. Question 3 requests $100 million for development sites and infrastructure supporting growth industries.
Question 4 seeks $50 million, with $45 million for a State History Center and $5 million for preservation grants. Question 5 requests $55 million for environmental and recreation projects, including $25 million for infrastructure resilience.
Voters can approve or reject each question independently.