SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 49

48th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2007

INTRODUCED BY

Carlos R. Cisneros

A JOINT MEMORIAL

URGING THE REESTABLISHMENT OF FEDERAL FUNDING AND SUPPORT TO HELP MITIGATE THE NEGATIVE ECONOMIC IMPACTS CAUSED BY DOWNSIZING AT LOS ALAMOS NATIONAL LABORATORY AND HELP BUILD A DIVERSE, SUSTAINABLE ECONOMY IN NORTH CENTRAL NEW MEXICO.

     WHEREAS, Los Alamos national laboratory was established over sixty-three years ago; and

     WHEREAS, Los Alamos national laboratory's budget of more than two billion dollars ($2,000,000,000) represents a significant regional economic engine; and

     WHEREAS, Los Alamos national laboratory's total workforce of approximately fifteen thousand makes it the largest employer in northern New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, Los Alamos national laboratory provides employment for New Mexicans from many counties, including Los Alamos, Santa Fe, Rio Arriba, Sandoval, Bernalillo and Taos counties; and

     WHEREAS, the federal government "rebid" the contract for management and operation of the Los Alamos national laboratory, and the new contract took effect on June 1, 2006; and

     WHEREAS, the new contract caused a change in the taxable status of Los Alamos national laboratory's operations; and

     WHEREAS, the change in tax status has had enormous fiscal impact on Los Alamos national laboratory, including a budget deficit, reductions in workforce and other changes that have adversely impacted the people and economy of north central New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, Los Alamos national laboratory's new taxable status requires that it pay approximately forty million dollars ($40,000,000) to Los Alamos county and fifty million dollars ($50,000,000) to the state of New Mexico in gross receipts taxes; and

     WHEREAS, the federal government established a precedent of providing assistance in 1995 when it provided a grant to help mitigate the regional economic impacts due to downsizing of Los Alamos national laboratory in 1994-1995;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that New Mexico's congressional delegation and the entire United States congress be urged to reestablish the federal funding and support that existed in order to help mitigate the negative economic impacts caused by Los Alamos national laboratory downsizing and to help build a diverse, sustainable economy in north central New Mexico; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the New Mexico congressional delegation.

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