picture of Pete

Priorities vs. Amenities

  • Although Los Alamos collects substantial Gross Receipts Taxes (GRT) from Los Alamos National Laboratory as well as other businesses, maintaining infrastructure for the Lab and the town is a substantial and continuing expense. The County can and should support its public schools, to the extent allowed under under New Mexico's state-funded educational system. Amenities, such as libraries, the golf course and the aquatic center, also require staffing and maintenance. Public safety, basic infrastructure and education are my priorities, followed by reasonable encouragement of economic development. If we manage these activities well, we will be able to further develop the amenities that make for a nice community. I have seen Lab budgets go up and down in my years here, so we don't want to be too aggressive in spending money we haven't yet received.