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A JOINT MEMORIAL
URGING THE REESTABLISHMENT OF FEDERAL FUNDING AND SUPPORT TO
HELP MITIGATE THE NEGATIVE ECONOMIC IMPACTS CAUSED BY
DOWNSIZING AT LOS ALAMOS NATIONAL LABORATORY AND HELP BUILD A
DIVERSE, SUSTAINABLE ECONOMY IN NORTH CENTRAL NEW MEXICO.
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) represents a
significant regional economic engine; and
WHEREAS, Los Alamos national laboratory's total
workforce of approximately fifteen thousand makes it the
largest employer in northern New Mexico; and
WHEREAS, Los Alamos national laboratory provides
employment for New Mexicans from many counties, including Los
Alamos, Santa Fe, Rio Arriba, Sandoval, Bernalillo and Taos
counties; and
WHEREAS, the federal government "rebid" the contract for
management and operation of the 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 enormous
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fiscal impact on Los Alamos national laboratory, including a
budget deficit, reductions in workforce and other changes
that have adversely impacted the people and economy of north
central New Mexico; and
WHEREAS, Los Alamos national laboratory's new taxable
status requires that it pay approximately forty million
dollars ($40,000,000) to Los Alamos county and fifty million
dollars ($50,000,000) to the state of New Mexico in gross
receipts taxes; and
WHEREAS, the federal government established a precedent
of providing assistance in 1995 when it provided a grant to
help mitigate the regional economic impacts due to downsizing
of Los Alamos national laboratory in 1994-1995;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE
STATE OF NEW MEXICO that New Mexico's congressional
delegation and the entire United States congress be urged to
reestablish the federal funding and support that existed in
order to help mitigate the negative economic impacts caused
by Los Alamos national laboratory downsizing and to help
build a diverse, sustainable economy in north central New
Mexico; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be
transmitted to the New Mexico congressional delegation.