By Michael Cadigan Albuquerque City Councilor
Recent comments made by the mayor and certain councillors alleging the Albuquerque City Council harbors an anti-business bias reveal not only blatant demagoguery and political opportunism but also a glaring ignorance of facts.
Such statements could also prove counterproductive and actually harm the city's economic development efforts.
Since my term began in December 2001, the council has consistently demonstrated willingness to support our business community and promote an enticing and healthy climate for economic growth. Recently, the council passed legislation, which I cosponsored with Councilor Miguel Gomez, creating public improvement districts that allow developers to use bonds to finance construction, operation and maintenance of infrastructure for residential and other development projects.
I also sponsored a bill, passed by the council, that created a "certified sites" program that will identify and "pre-permit" sites available for immediate commercial development.
Councilors authorized construction of a water line to Double Eagle II Airport for Eclipse Aviation, and we rejected predatory lending legislation opposed by the local business community.
Lastly, contrary to assertions by the mayor and others, the council's attempts to amend the city's smoking ordinance are not an affront to local business.
According to Fortune magazine, seven of the 10 best cities in the United States in which to do business have smoking bans. Las Cruces is recognized as one of the best mid-sized cities for business, and it has a comprehensive smoking ban. Many business owners have welcomed bringing Albuquerque's smoking ordinance into line with major cities like New York, Boston and Dallas. These pro-business actions reflect the council's genuine desire to work with business.
The council has been steadfast and prudent with its approach to industrial revenue bonds. The disappointing experience of the Philips Semiconductor IRBs served as a reminder to most council members that we must ensure that the city's generosity in issuing these bonds is not abused or misused.
The council's approval of the metropolitan redevelopment bonds issued to John Q. Hammons represents an excellent example of the council's commitment to create a win-win arrangement for both the city and the MRB applicant. In this particular issue, the council accommodated John Q. Hammons while simultaneously gaining benefits for the city.
In its recent consideration of MCT Industries' request to re-finance existing IRBs, the council was unable to get any assurance that the city's taxpayers would realize tangible benefits from the bonds' refinance. Nor was the applicant willing to accept the reasonable "clawback" provisions requested by the council that would have recouped some forgiven property taxes in the event of MCT's noncompliance.
Approving MCT's application with no provision for consideration to the city might also have violated the New Mexico Constitution's anti-donation clause that prevents the city from providing aid to private individuals without some form of tangible public benefit.
While government should be "business friendly," its first obligation must be to protect taxpayers and citizens. If Albuquerque is to prosper and accumulate and protect its public wealth, the mayor and council must work together to create an atmosphere that fosters growth and encourages wise and equitable approaches to economic development.
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