I wonder how many presidential candidates are going around trying to better the economic development of their state by promoting a spaceport? As with most question involving the other candidates compared to Richardson, the answer is zilch.
"The spaceport is 5,000 jobs for Southern New Mexico, the spaceport is discovery, space -- it's America's future and it's going to be here in Southern New Mexico," said Richardson.
The spaceport is a proposed $225 million facility to launch tourists into space.
"I definitely want to go to space and see how it looks down on earth," said Ryan Maki, a sixth-grader at Vista Middle.
With the possibility of a spaceport in the near future, kids in Vista Middle not only have their eyes set on a diploma, they have their eyes in the sky.
"I'm excited because this gives us new opportunities to reach our goals and it will help with our careers," said sixth-grader, Alexandra Anzalgua.
The spaceport is expected to make up to $1 billion in revenue. But some southern New Mexico counties would have to pay a 1/4-cent sales tax.
The best part about this plan is that it actually will bring regional development to the southern counties that benefit from it the most:
Seventy-five percent of the proposed sales tax would fund the spaceport, while the remaining 25% would go to science education programs at selected schools. The proposal will go to voters on April 3rd if the commissioners approve it.
This is just another example of how Bill Richardson, while also campaigning for president, is still working on his home state - not leaving it behind. My rough calculations indicate that is something like $ 8 million dollars for the math and science programs at those schools. Just another fringe benefit from having a multi-tasking governor.
