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Spaceport hands the keys over to Richard Branson; will the state see some...
Richard Branson at Spaceport dedication, courtesy AFP Well, the hype was there. That’s to be expected whenever Richard Branson’s around. But will Spaceport become a net-plus for the New Mexico economy...
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Spaceport or Space Ghost? Susana asks committee members to reconsider...
Capitol Report New Mexico has learned that Gov. Susana Martinez sent a letter Thursday (Feb. 9th) to members of the two committees that tabled bills that would have protected Spaceport America from...
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Only $1.5-$2 million in clawbacks for Spaceport should Virgin Galactic leave
New Mexico taxpayers have made a $209 million investment into Spaceport America but if its anchor tenant, Virgin Galactic pulled out, the state would get only a “very limited” amount of money back in...
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Spaceport compromise reportedly reached in NM Legislature
Spaceport America, located outside of Truth or Consequences, NM Concerns that Spaceport America will end up being a $209 million white elephant for New Mexico taxpayers may have been greatly put to...
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Spaceport liability bill zooms to NM Senate floor UPDATE: BILL PASSES SENATE,...
UPDATE 1/30: Senate Bill 240 passed the Senate floor unanimously, 34-0. The bill now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration. Just six days after an agreement was announced between New...
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VIDEO: Virgin Galactic ‘committed to New Mexico’… but is also keeping its...
Virgin Galactic suborbital spaceship An executive with Virgin Galactic told New Mexico Watchdog that his company is “committed to New Mexico” and says that while it’s true that Virgin Galactic will pay...
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Editorial: Don’t be a sucker just to grab business
Rob Nikolewski, New Mexico Watchdog Spaceport or space ghost? Shortly after stepping down as governor of our fair state, Bill Richardson said that Spaceport was going to be his lasting legacy. That may...
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Lawmaker wants to sharpen ‘claw-back’ provisions
CLAWING BACK: State Rep. Jason Harper, R-Rio Rancho, says taxpayers whose dollars support business deals should have claw-back provisions put in statute. New Mexico Watchdog photo. Freshman state Rep....
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In Spaceport we trust: Liability protection heads to Gov’s desk
LIABILITY PROTECTION: A bill giving Virgin Galactic and other Spaceport tenants limited liability protection is heading to the governor’s desk. Photo courtesy of Virgin Galactic. A bill that would...
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Spaceport liability bill signed into law, but …
LIABILITY PROTECTION: A bill giving Virgin Galactic and other Spaceport tenants limited liability protection has been signed by New Mexico’s governor. Photo courtesy of Virgin Galactic. Gov. Susana...
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Spaceport gets a reality show but revenue from launches won’t go to NM taxpayers
REALITY BITES: A reality show featuring launches at New Mexico’s Spaceport promises greater exposure for the facility but extra revenue will be plowed back into Spaceport and won’t go directly to...
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Failure to launch? Spaceport takes hits on two different fronts
By Rob Nikolewski │ New Mexico Watchdog SANTA FE – It’s been a rough week for Spaceport America. The venture built with $212 million in state taxpayer money has taken hits on a couple of fronts: From a...
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Branson says Virgin Galactic will lift off later this year
ON TRACK, HE SAYS: Richard Branson, shown here at the dedication of Spaceport America in 2011, says he expects the inaugural flight of Virgin Galactic to occur in the second half of 2014. By Rob...
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VIDEO: Is it a spaceport, or a space ghost?
BATTLING THE CRITICS: Numerous delays by Virgin Galactic’s Richard Branson have raised questions whether Spaceport America — a $212 million investment by New Mexico taxpayers — will ever be successful....
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Branson: Spaceport launch ’90 percent’ certain in September
SEE YOU IN SEPTEMBER: Richard Branson says he’s “90 percent convinced” that Virgin Galactic will have its inaugural launch from Spaceport America in September. By Rob Nikolewski │ New Mexico Watchdog...
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Still no word on which state will win the Tesla ‘giga-factory’ sweepstakes
NO DECISION YET: Tesla owner and billionaire Elon Musk won’t say which states are still in the running for a “giga-factory” that promises to employ 6,500 workers. By Rob Nikolewski │ New Mexico...
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Failure to launch: Virgin Galactic can’t get off the ground
ANOTHER DELAY: The maiden voyage for Virgin Galactic at New Mexico’s Spaceport has been delayed again. Now, the scheduled launch is set for February or March of 2015. By Rob Nikolewski │ New Mexico...
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Federal tax money for Spaceport? Two NM congressional candidates support idea
MONEY MATTERS: Spaceport America was built with $218 million of money from New Mexico taxpayers. But both candidates for southern New Mexico’s seat in the U.S. House of Representatives say they favor...
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10 years on: A progress report on Spaceport America
PROGRESS REPORT: It’s been a decade since plans for Spaceport America were unveiled. Critics say it hasn’t produced a return on New Mexico taxpayers’ $218.5 million investment but supporters say the...
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Can Spaceport America recover, or was taxpayers’ money lost in crash?
PICKING UP THE PIECES: The fatal crash of Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShip Two may have far-reaching impact on Spaceport America, which New Mexico taxpayers spent $218.5 million to build. By Rob Nikolewski...
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