New Mexico State University's Student Launch program had a successful rocket launch this morning at Spaceport America.

Here is a video from the launch. You need to go about 1 hour and 7 minutes into the video to view the actual launch. It was a live video so it has not been edited yet. You can learn more about this great learning opportunity for high school and college youth at their website: http://www.launchnm.com/

I would like to clarify my concerns and reasoning regarding the spaceport gross receipts tax (GRT) that the county will be allocating to the local school districts.

Like the Las Cruces Sun-News editorial board, I thought these issues had been worked out when the commission held its work session in April. The school districts said then that they planned to integrate existing spaceport-related programs into their plan, and I simply asked them to put that into a written contract.

There should be no confusion about the fact that the local school districts will get this money to help educate their students. We are all interested in seeing that this money contributes to the opportunities that children have with spaceport-related industries.

It is inaccurate, however, to claim that the county has no stake in the funds once they are collected and allocated. In fact, state law holds the Doña Ana County Board of Commissioners accountable for ensuring that all monies allocated do, in fact, go directly toward spaceport-related curricula. As a commissioner with the responsibility for seeing that this law is followed, I am simply seeking written contracts with the school districts that reflect this commitment.

I’d rather be too cautious than irresponsible. In my business experience, I have learned that you always put the specifics into the contract, especially when long-term agreements are on the table.

The school boards seem to want Doña Ana County to agree to a long-term agreement with no long-term oversight. I can agree to that only if there is a written contract in place that shows clear and specific connections between their proposed curricula and spaceport-related industries and projects.

Unless the law is changed to hold the districts accountable for how the monies are used once allocated, Doña Ana County cannot abdicate its responsibility. I, therefore, eagerly await presentation of a spaceport-specific curricula contract for Doña Ana County and the school boards to negotiate in good faith, with an audit or review of the curricula every five years. This will ensure that the money is being properly allocated toward spaceport-related educational efforts.

I also believe it is in the best interests of all parties for the school districts to find ways to channel some portion of the funding toward existing workforce training opportunities to which students can avail themselves at New Mexico State University and Doña Ana Community College.*

No one is suggesting that Doña Ana County should write the curricula or dabble in its execution within the districts. I am, however, committed to seeing binding contracts in place that ensure each tax dollar allocated from this fund does, in fact, enhance education programs directly related to spaceport-relevant fields of study. That’s what I said in April, and I haven’t changed my position, although I remain open to further discussion of this important matter.

*A previous version of this article did not specifically say that it is the school districts that should channel money to existing programs. That was always my intent. I updated it for clarification.

As excitement spreads throughout Dona Ana County, Spaceport America’s Tax District Board has been starting the process of funding the construction of this futuristic base for 21^st century aviation. 

Time is of the essence as the board meets. Skeptics throughout the county wonder exactly how they, their friends and neighbors will benefit from this “new space” industry which they are paying for with their tax dollars. 

Meanwhile many members of the business community work tirelessly to attract new business, spread the word on how others can benefit and hope that their faith will prove true, and the future of southern New Mexico will fill tomorrow’s history books with success and prosperity. 

The board has met several times and is in the process of finalizing the bonding process so that Spaceport America can officially start and construction jobs will start coming to southern NM.  One thing is for sure, we are years away from significant job growth and we all need to be patient with judging the success or failure of this project.