Spaceport tax should be approved
Las Cruces Sun News Spaceport article
Article Launched: 12/13/2006 01:00:00 AM MST
While we agree with those asking city and county officials to ensure due diligence is done before moving forward with a proposed Spaceport tax, we also strongly urge that the process move as rapidly as possible.
Simply put, the new space race is on, and we can't afford to dawdle. While we may have a slight head start on the competition, we are far from the only ones in the race.
The Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport in Norfolk, Va., was scheduled to have its first launch this week, but that mission was scrubbed due to a glitch with software for the Air Force satellite that was to be the main payload.
The Texas Legislature has passed legislation allowing the formation of Spaceport Development Corporations, which can levy taxes and exercise imminent domain in support of a Spaceport. There are now three Spaceports under development in Texas, including one in Pecos County that is not far from our own Spaceport America.
The Las Cruces City Council voiced support Monday to accept a draft resolution calling for a referendum in which voters would be asked to approve a one-quarter of 1 percent increase in the countywide gross receipts tax to support the Spaceport. The county is expected to debate a proposed ordinance in January that would put the issue before the voters on April 3.
The increase in taxes would generate $6.5 million for the Spaceport, if approved.
It is expected to cost $225 million to build and operate Spaceport America. The state provided $115 million in the fiscal year 2007 budget approved earlier this year, which began July 1.
We fully understand the burden that state and local taxes have on the poorest in our community. But, we see this tax as an investment that will pay off with jobs and economic development well in to the future.
To make that happen, we must act quickly.
One of the holdups now is release of the Environmental Impact Statement. Economic Development Secretary Rick Homans said the EIS draft would be released in the first three months of next year, and the final statement will be part of the Spaceport license issued in the third quarter.
Local officials must not wait until then. We should get the ball rolling now and then make adjustments later as necessary.
