Let those with bankrolls build their own playgrounds

This is the second in a series of guest columns debating whether Doña Ana County voters should approve a 1/4 percent gross-receipts tax increase to help fund Spaceport America. Public officials and other readers are invited to participate in this debate. To submit a guest column for publication, e-mail me at heath@haussamen.com. Baseless personal attacks will not be published.

By Leon Billstone

Another historic opportunity is quickly approaching for Southern New Mexico. This one happens to be a chance for the taxpayers of Doña Ana County, as well as Luna and Otero counties, to pay an additional 1/4 percent in gross receipts tax for a spaceport to be located east of Upham in Otero County.

This particular spaceport is being planned and built on the premise of one company, one man coming to town to lease and operate out of this facility. If Virgin Galactic does not sign a long-term lease agreement and pay user fees sufficient to operate the spaceport, then I am afraid the economic development aspect of this whole thing will not materialize and we will have $225 million invested in a facility that is good for only one thing, and that is a spaceport.

The Legislature has required, and Doña Ana County may also require, that the long-term lease has to be in place before the tax will be implemented

Has everyone looked into just how many jobs are created by this type of activity? This is not the only spaceport in this country. There are nearly a dozen that are currently operating or are awaiting licensing from the Federal Aviation Administration. Competition could get interesting.

From what I can gather from trade journals and the internet, Virgin Galactic recently signed an agreement to partner with Sweden on its proposed spaceport. In addition, the company recently partnered with NASA to use the Ames Research Center in California. Virgin Galactic is presently using a facility in Mojave, Calif., for testing thru 2008 and has stated that it plans on moving flight operations to Spaceport America in 2009 or 2010 – if it’s ready.

Building the facility would, under the current plan, involve all infrastructure being furnished by taxpayers, through state funds and the tax increase in the three counties surrounding the spaceport.

The major problem with Spaceport America is that there are a number of unknowns, including the environmental impact, possible disruption of the historic El Camino Real trail, the costs of operating and maintaining the facility, how it will all operate, and whether user fees will cover the costs. Several dozen major questions need to be answered.

I think the best thing for me to do is let those with the bankrolls build their own playgrounds. I do not feel that the taxpayers should be footing the bill on this affair. We have so many important needs in Southern New Mexico.

Karen Perez, chair of the Doña Ana County Board of Commissioners, said it best at a recent meeting: “I feel like I am being railroaded, a whole lot railroaded.”

If there is an assumption that this is economic development and thousands of jobs will be created, then put the math to it and ask the questions of those pushing for this tax. Find out what you are being asked to pay for before you start paying for it.

Billstone is a citizen who lives in Las Cruces and is active in local government issues.