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.169701.1
SENATE MEMORIAL 82
48
TH LEGISLATURE
- STATE OF NEW MEXICO -
FIRST SESSION
, 2007
INTRODUCED BY
Richard C. Martinez
A MEMORIAL
REQUESTING A COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE FISCAL IMPACTS ON
CITIES AND COUNTIES IN THE LOS ALAMOS NATIONAL LABORATORY'S
EMPLOYMENT BASE AREA RESULTING FROM THE CHANGED TAX STATUS OF
THE LABORATORY'S NEW CONTRACT AND REQUESTING THAT A
COMPREHENSIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN BE DEVELOPED FOR THE
LOS ALAMOS NATIONAL LABORATORY'S EMPLOYMENT BASE AREA.
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) creates a
significant, regional economic engine; and
WHEREAS, Los Alamos national laboratory's total work force
of approximately fifteen thousand makes it the largest employer
in northern New Mexico; and
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.169701.1
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WHEREAS, Los Alamos national laboratory provides
employment for New Mexicans from many counties, including Los
Alamos, Rio Arriba, Sandoval, Bernalillo and Taos; and
WHEREAS, the United States, through its agencies, has
"recompeted" the contract for operation of 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 an enormous
fiscal impact on Los Alamos national laboratory, including a
budget deficit, reductions in work force and other changes that
adversely impact the people and economy of north central New
Mexico; and
WHEREAS, the new taxable status requires that Los Alamos
national laboratory pay gross receipts taxes in an amount equal
to approximately forty million dollars ($40,000,000) to Los
Alamos county and fifty million dollars ($50,000,000) to the
state of New Mexico; and
WHEREAS, the state of New Mexico has not assessed the
fiscal impact on cities and counties within Los Alamos national
laboratory's employment base area; and
WHEREAS, the regional economy in the Los Alamos national
laboratory's employment base area continues to experience
extreme dependency on laboratory funding, remains vulnerable to
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.169701.1
past, present and future laboratory job cuts and lacks
significant investment needed to build a new, sustainable
economy;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE
OF NEW MEXICO that the state of New Mexico, through its
appropriate agencies, immediately conduct a comprehensive
assessment of fiscal impacts on cities and counties in Los
Alamos national laboratory's employment base area resulting
from the changed tax status of the laboratory's new contract
and that the state conduct a comprehensive economic development
plan for that area.
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