Subject: Gov. Asks for Belen Project Funds Again
URL: http://www.abqjournal.com/xgr/284457xgr02-11-08.htm
Monday, February 11, 2008
Gov. Asks for Belen Project Funds Again
By Trip Jennings
Journal Capitol Bureau
For the second year in a row, the Richardson administration has sought money for an Interstate 25 interchange project that is integral to a large development planned by a California firm for Belen's north edge.
The development envisions 15,000 homes along with schools, parks, community centers and industrial and office space.
The California firm planning the development— which has gone by the names RS Investments and Coast Range Investments— is a large campaign contributor to Gov. Bill Richardson and gave to the governor's
2006 re-election campaign as well as his presidential run.
J.D. Bullington, a lobbyist for the firm, confirmed Friday that the company is seeking the state capital outlay appropriation, along with the city of Belen and the state Department of Transportation.
The $3 million in state money would supplement $5 million the firm plans to spend of its own money to improve the interchange, Bullington said.
Richardson requested $4 million for the project in last year's capital outlay bill but got only $1 million.
This year's request is among the hundreds of projects listed in the Legislature's $348 million capital outlay proposal. Over the last two and a half years, officers in the California firm have given Richardson political campaign contributions and donated use of aircraft for his gubernatorial and presidential runs.
The governor's office, when contacted, declined to respond to a question about whether the firm's contributions influenced the govenor's decision to request the money.
"The governor is committed to economic development and he has consistently prioritized capital outlay funding to invest in transportation infrastructure as a way to promote a stronger economy,"
spokesman Gilbert Gallegos said.
Jim Foster, the president of RS Investments, since renamed Coast Range, made a $75,000 contribution to Richardson's 2006 re-election campaign and donated use of his personal jet to the governor for two campaign trips to California in 2006, records show.
Foster also provided the use of his four-passenger Cessna Citation jet to Richardson's presidential campaign on three dates in March 2007. The entries were listed under Foxtrot Partners, and Richardson paid Foxtrot nearly $6,000.
A company lobbyist said last year that the $4 million sought for the interchange was reduced to $1 million by lawmakers and that the lower amount was approved by Richardson.
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Monday, February 11, 2008
Gov. Asks for Belen Project Funds Again
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