Ray Powell
This is in response to a recent guest column from current Land Commissioner Pat Lyons.
As a candidate for state land commissioner, I bring a record of integrity, knowledge, experience and a positive vision for the future.
Here’s My Commitment:
- Work to create good jobs, particularly to build a new energy economy.
- Generate more money to improve our children’s schools.
- Provide ethical and honest government.
- Protect and responsibly manage our public lands.
Compare and contrast
During my previous administration, commercial projects were done in an open, transparent and accountable manner and open bids were the rule of the day. During my tenure the Land Office received 100 percent of the appraised land value, 100 percent of the natural appreciation, and a significant and fair percentage of the gross revenues from any project.
This meant that the State Land Office, and thus our public educational system and other important beneficiaries, got paid first.
During my tenure the planning and development costs were borne by the private partner, not the State Land Office. This meant that the private sector’s money was at risk, not your State Trust Lands, tax dollars, or money meant for New Mexico’s schools.
Over the last eight years, the developer was reimbursed for planning and development costs, the idea of open bids was often abandoned, and projects were awarded to political contributors. In addition, a net profit arrangement was given to the private partner. This resulted in the private partner being reimbursed before the State Land Office received any money – other than the original raw land value.
The bottom line: Most projects negotiated during the Lyons administration may result in little or no return to the Land Office. What is eventually paid to the Land Office will occur only after the private developer is fully paid. Thus, the private partner gets their share first and the Land Office last – if at all.
There is a clear difference in the candidates for land commissioner in this upcoming election. Just look at our websites and compare (mine and his). Until earlier this week my opponent’s vision statement read “coming soon” – with less than 30 days until the election.
Check and compare our demonstrated accomplishments. Look at my outline for reform, which will ensure even-handed procedures for working with all interested parties; my clear statement of issues facing the State Land Office; my specific plans for the future, starting on day one; my unquestionable educational preparation specific to the work of the Land Office; and my past and present work experience specific to the duties of the Land Office.
I will restore the trust
As New Mexicans, we are blessed with marvelous public lands. These lands sustain us, provide economic opportunities, and help fund our educational system. Public lands are truly a legacy that we leave our children. When we take care of our land, our land takes care of us.
I will advocate for renewable energy jobs
I am committed to renewable energy. In my previous tenure as land commissioner, I worked with utilities to establish the first wind farms in New Mexico. As a native New Mexican, I know the need for good jobs and I have a proven record of helping create good jobs for New Mexicans.
We must improve our children’s schools
Our children’s future depends on quality education, and a sustainable economy in New Mexico depends on a workforce that is prepared to go to work. The State Land Office collects and invests revenue from the use of public lands. This revenue significantly helps fund our children’s schools while reducing our citizen’s taxes.
I will create win-win situations
During my tenure as land commissioner I brought together a diversity of groups and we worked together to create mutually beneficial projects. All voices were heard, and all voices will be heard when my team returns to the State Land Office.
My principles for development
Guided by my commitment to the careful management of state trust lands, I am committed to help communities meet their future needs through the appropriate development of state lands within the path of growth. I am dedicated to the sustainable use of these properties to ensure our state’s precious legacy of state lands is maintained for our children’s future.
I established a Commercial Resources Division. Our focus then, and in the future, will be on the planning and development of lands suitable for more innovative commercial, industrial, recreational and residential land uses.
I commissioned the Land Office’s first ever asset audit, and we identified 50,000 acres of state trust land close enough to growing communities to have development appeal. I am committed to ensuring that any development of these lands meets this standard: For successful development, the property must be well-positioned and in demand, and the local government must have a mutual interest in development.
“Sensible” and “sensitive” are the key words for how I have approached and will approach all State Land Office real estate projects. I will do so with respect for the land, geology, terrain, streams, and arroyos, flora and fauna, and all other natural features, and most importantly, the people that live in the area of these projects. We used this approach on several very successful projects such as the largest infill project in North America – Mesa del Sol in Albuquerque.
Mesa del Sol is an award-winning model for sustainable development on 12,400 acres in south Albuquerque. We planned Mesa del Sol in-house at the Land Office to include mixed residential , commercial and industrial uses. Mesa del Sol’s first phase of development included a state-of-the-art amphitheater and the largest regional park in New Mexico – built in partnership with Bernalillo County and the private sector.
The Eco-Industrial Park planned for Mesa del Sol (Innovation Park) was designed to emphasize the wise use and reuse of natural resources and by-products of industrial processes with particular attention to the recycling of water for use by other business, industry, parks and recreation. The basic philosophy behind eco-industrialism is based on the economics of the exchange of by-products – one company’s waste becomes a source of energy or raw material for another company.
In cooperative efforts, firms save money by saving energy, reducing industrial waste and increasing resource efficiency. Innovation Park is now home to thousands of new jobs for New Mexicans at clean industries such as Schott Solar and Fidelity Investments.
We must have an ethical and honest land office
I believe in the highest professional and ethical standards in government. My record speaks for itself. During my previous tenure at the land office I instructed my employees to “just do things in a manner that the closer anyone looks, the better you look.”
I expect those who work with the Land Office to also act in an open, honest and transparent manner – and I will hold them to this high standard.
I have a record of holding individuals and global companies accountable to take care of the land and to pay what they owe. I have audited the largest global oil companies that lease state trust land, resulting in over $100 million of additional revenue for our state.
Having successfully served as state land commissioner, I once again ask for the opportunity to serve you to build a better future for all New Mexicans.
Powell is a former commissioner of public lands and the Democratic candidate for the position this year.