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Thursday, August 14, 2008

Editorial: We Need Jobs, Not Tax Rebates



      Gov. Bill Richardson has called a special session of the Legislature for Friday, and he has a few things he wants to do.
    First on the list of priorities is to spend a windfall of $225 million in unanticipated oil and gas revenue. That's down from $392 million the state originally expected. Richardson's idea is to send a rebate check to New Mexico taxpayers, but he hasn't said how much. Before the prediction of revenues was amended, he was saying that the rebates would be at least $75 and average $200 for a total cost of $191 million.
    Next the governor wants to throw some money at health care and some at road projects. He's even floating the idea of creating a 10-day "tax holiday” on gross receipts taxes.
    It goes without saying that people like it when the government sends a check instead of the other way around. But how much good does it do for families to get $75 and maybe save another $7 on a $150 purchase?
    Yes, in tough times, every penny helps. But rebate checks and tax holidays seem like a lost opportunity to make some real strides in education and economic development for struggling communities.
    Every year, East Mountains and Estancia Valley communities ask the Legislature and the governor for money for capital outlay projects like a new water tank and water lines in Estancia, improvements to the sewer systems in Edgewood and Moriarty, a new water well in Moriarty, a performing arts center and better classrooms for the Moriarty-Edgewood School District, a running track at Roosevelt Middle School, a trail network in the East Mountains so people drive less and much, much more.
    Each year, the projects are ranked and are given some money, but never enough to get started.
    Some may see these projects as nothing but pork, but to a city like Moriarty, which is trying to bring its infrastructure up to date in preparation of the coming of the Downs of Albuquerque, it is important for economic development. A construction job is probably a lot more valuable to someone than a $75 check. And when someone has a job, they buy food and other goods in the local economy, helping other businesses.
    Each year, local elected officials hear the state talk about unexpected windfalls and hope that some of that money will make it to their communities. And each year, the state and the governor disappoints with grand schemes for railroads and spaceports that serve someone else.
    If you want children to be insured, do all you can to make sure their parents have good paying jobs. That comes through projects that support economic development, not sending a check for dinner and a movie.
    The governor and the Legislature have long ignored the needs of rural New Mexican towns in favor of arenas and the like for Albuquerque. It is time for them to step forward and back up all their promises about economic development for all.