One Down, Two To Go

It went down to the wire... but election officials in New Mexico told the Associated Press Thursday night a bill calling for an increase in gross-receipts taxes for residents of Doña Ana County, to fund New Mexico's proposed Spaceport America, has narrowly won voter approval.

In an AP story reported on the KOB-4 website, unofficial results from the county clerk's office shows the tax increase leading by 265, out of more than 17,000. Election supervisor Lynn Ellins states 108 provisional ballots are left to be counted... and that means a win.

And you thought the 2000 presidential election was close. As Aero-News reported, many citizens of the predominantly rural county expressed opposition to the tax, saying it calls on poorer residents of the state to fund the dreams of the rich -- money they say would be better spent on existing ills faced by the county's poorer residents.

State Economic Development Director Rick Homans said the vote clears the way for final development work to begin on the spaceport, located an hour's drive southeast of Truth or Consequences, NM.

The quarter-percent gross receipts tax increase is expected to raise an estimated $49 million in funding for the spaceport, which is expected to see its first manned spaceflight take off in about two years.

While one hurdle appears to be surpassed, two others remain. The land Spaceport America sits on rests in three counties... and similar referendums are expected for residents of Sierra and Otero counties in the coming weeks.

FMI: www.spaceportamerica.com