The AP reports that the New Mexico House has passed legislation that allows localities to create taxes that could be used to help finance the planned commercial spaceport in the southern part of the state. The measure, which passed on a 42-14 vote, is identical to a measure the state Senate passed Saturday. The AP article reports that one House member from the vicinity of the planned spaceport, Rep. Joseph Cervantes (D-Las Cruces), wants “solid commitments for private industry investment in the project” before the states spends money on the project; the article doesn’t specify exactly what he has in mind.
So why do they only quote a lawmaker who doesn’t like the plan? What about the other 42?
It makes for a better story. I don’t think Cervantes’ statement is exactly negative. I think he’ll vote for it ($200m+ development in your own backyard!) but may be looking for VIrgin to cough up more dough.
I don’t understand his threat so much though, seeing how Starchaser, the Rocket Racing League, and other companies are flocking to Las Cruces and buying up industrial park space. Those sound like “solid commitments” to me!
Prolly wants Virgin to give some more dough, although I am curious – is the RRL and Starchaser signed contracts? Or are they verbal commitments.
Also, the other issue is I suspect he still views it with a giggle factor
Starchaser and RRL both have offices in Las Cruces. THey have bought land at an air industrial park outside Las Cruces. Neither one of them are looking for part ownership of the spaceport. I don’t think they are or should be required to fork over any dough for building costs. They like NM for their operations. If NM doesn’t have the facilities, they’ll need to look somewhere else. Starchaser and RRL are potential clients, not stakeholders.
New Mexicans need to have their taxes raised in order to pay for this spaceport for supposedly private enterprise alt.space firms? What a terrific idea.
Next to the spaceport, they need to build a hockey arena for a new NFL franchise team, and maybe a casino decorated in a space exploration motif.
Maybe they can combine all three things in one big biodome, who knows. All they have to do is raise taxes.
Whats up with the “supposedly” private stuff? You’re absolutely right. Why did the United States pay for the Panama Canal for the “supposedly private” American shipping and trading firms? Why did the government have to issue taxes to pay for the highway system for all of us “supposedly private” citizens?
New Mexico is buying the spaceport for New Mexico, and is not handing out anything to the space companies. They ARE trying to get their business. And New Mexico will succeed. The higher taxes are supposed to be what, a 1/4 percent higher sales tax in Dona Ana and Sierra counties, voted on by the citizenry?
Let the people make their own decisions. Government does have a legitimate function in building infrastructure. Always has, always will.
New Mexico is buying the spaceport for New Mexico
What is this entity “New Mexico” which is buying the spaceport, aside from some lobbyists, politicians and their hired touts and pimps? Buying the spaceport — and selling it to the taxpayers of New Mex.
Are New Mexican taxpayers going to have an opportunity to express their opinion via a referendum?