It was standing room only on the second floor of the Oscar Dancy Building and despite passionate arguments made by many residents against granting the company $373 million tax abatements, the company got them by a 3-2 vote.
Annova will build an export terminal at the Port of Brownsville.
Voting for the abatements were Pct. 2 commissioner Joey Lopez, who made the motion to approve, Pct. 4 commissioner Gus Ruiz, who seconded it, and Pct. 1 commissioner Sofia Benavides who cast the deciding vote.
Annova will get a total of $373 million tax abatement over 10 years. It will make a one time $5.5 million payment and 10 annual $500,000 payment in lieu of taxes. The deal holds as long at the company employs more than 100 people and ensures that at least 35 percent of them of them are local hires.
At least 40 organizations, public officials and local businesses signed a letter to Cameron County Commissioners telling them to vote against the abatement request.
Annova LNG is one of three companies that want to build liquefied natural gas terminals at the Port of Brownsville and are awaiting approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
At the Aug. 20 meeting, protestors said that a tax abatement for Annova made no sense, since the company already wants to come here and doesn’t need to be lured by a multi-million dollar tax break.
By far, the majority of those attending spoke out against granting Annova LNG a 10-year tax abatement on the $3.5 billion liquefied natural gas plant which would carry a property tax value of $1.8 billion.
Exelon, the Fortune 500 company with a 96% stake in the project, has requested the tax break from the county to build the fracked-gas export facility in the Rio Grande Valley. The decision was tabled during the August 20 meeting.
In January, the county commissioners laid out the requirements for the granting of a tax abatement application for manufacturers and businesses in the county. Some of the speakers warned the court of potential industrial accidents and explosions that have occurred in other places where the plants have been built and voiced their environmental concerns.
This was the second time Cameron County will have given away a tax abatement to an LNG company. In 2017, the County approved a $373 million tax cut for NextDecade’s proposed Rio Grande LNG project. The Chapter 312 agreement guarantees an unknown number of permanent jobs for people who have lived within a 100-mile radius of the LNG terminal for six months prior to being hired or born within that radius.
This was the second time Cameron County will have given away a tax abatement to an LNG company. In 2017, the County approved a $373 million tax cut for NextDecade’s proposed Rio Grande LNG project. The Chapter 312 agreement guarantees an unknown number of permanent jobs for people who have lived within a 100-mile radius of the LNG terminal for six months prior to being hired or born within that radius.
Annova LNG was also vying for a tax abatement under Chapter 313 from the Point Isabel Independent School District (ISD), which was completely rejected because of local opposition. (A Chapter 313 tax abatement is granted through a school district, but a big difference between a school district’s tax abatement and a county’s abatement is that the State of Texas reimburses the ISD for lost revenue.)
Some speakers said that the billionaire projects did not need the county giving out special consideration for these massive projects because they came her and have nowhere else to go. They also said that the number of permanent jobs did not merit the massive tax break over 10 years.
Under the guidelines approved by the court, Anova will generate points depending on the number of jobs, the quality of wages, and the timeline that applicants must meet to qualify for the abatements.)
Some speakers said that the billionaire projects did not need the county giving out special consideration for these massive projects because they came her and have nowhere else to go. They also said that the number of permanent jobs did not merit the massive tax break over 10 years.
32 comments:
LNG, like SpaceX, is not going to bring jobs to this area. They are going to bring their own engineers and professional staff. LNG is going to bring us nothing but ecological problems and not pay taxes. Our elected officials continue to fail us and prove they are incapable of critical thinking and they continue to ignore or not seek public opinion. When elected officials show disdain for the voters (call the pleas of flooded families "whiny"), then it is time for a change; time to get rid of those greedy and inconsiderate elected officials.
Telosico Mario. Tu que sabes. Ponte a trabajar vato inutil. Your only rise to fame is your brother the Bully DA Luis Saenz. You bring NOTHING TO THE TABLE. You have no experience, no speaking skills, no ethics YOU ARE A POLITIQUERO. You are always asking for a hand out and expect people to respect you because your last name is Saenz.
Where's the Raza Unidad T-Shirt?
If Hunter Biden Is Fair Game, So Are Trump’s Kids
Sofie well you blew it, there goes your re election, you casted the deciding vote, bad bad bad.
Anti LNG supporters would be amazed at how many non profits receive support and funding from LNG such as United Way, Boy Scouts and Boy and Girls Club to name a few
Lambale los huevos a Mario Juan.
Sofia Benavides betrayed us, bro. Lost my vote.
Eddie Treviño told Sophie to vote for it because she wouldn’t have an opponent. Rumor is a group is contacting Bobby Cervantes to run against Sophie Benavidez. He lives in her district.... he is always harping about someone to run against her... file Bobby! Just put your name on the ballot.... don’t spend a dime, you will be surprised at the people that would give you money. You can run your campaign through your blog.... and do not spend a dime. Show this unethical, inept commissioner that she is not wanted.... you say you always fight for people.... put your name on the ballot against Sophie Benavidez.... she voted for LNG and that is in her precinct. She wanted a raise when they had to raise taxes to balance budget!! Run Bobby wightman Cervantes .... run!
Eddie Trevino's vote, mamon? smh
Commissioner Benavides, you don't know me BUT...
You show you are in touch with those that elected you when you vote what YOU believe is best for their future and their families.
Commissioner Benavides has GREAT courage. I don't know you..but when i see you ..i will thank you ..shake your hand and congratulate you for voting your belief's regardless of the venom being thrown from all directions!
Sofia B. Has my vote. She wasn't swayed by the threats-and heat in the room. She's used to the heat...and in the end voted for what she felt would be best for the county.
NICE JOB!
Three people voted YES...and ya'll attack Sofia Benavides??? Why?
I have your picking on her cuz she's a woman...
#Pathetic
This group of commissioners had made up their minds (assuming they have minds) before this meeting and were going to approve the tax break for the LNG company....regardless of the popular opposition. County Commissioners are greedy fools....and have no respect for the citizens that they are supposed to represent. Fools, those who voted for the tax break.
5:23 P.M. I totally agree with your comment. But the good news for those of us who think she was wrong, we get to vote in the March Primary. We get to say she got it wrong, although I do believe she did what she though was best for us. She is just wrong. The good news for Sofie is no one is going to run against her who can raise money. So there you go. Sofie knew this when she cast her vote. Her seat is safe. Covering her campaign is not worth the time because she will win even in a three way.
Bobby WC
Vote'em all out! Get'em out of here!
I was anti-LNG until I was pro-LNG. Get it, people. I swim with the flounders, but I won't eat Mojarra. Ja ja ja aja ja ja. Get it? Get it? Okay, I'll get the documents to prove it!!!! Sofie, do the Macarena, like I do with cucumbers at HEB. Ha ha ha, ha ha ha. Ha ha ha.
- Booby Weightman-Ramirez
President Donald Trump had at times privately talked about “fortifying a border wall with a water-filled trench, stocked with snakes or alligators, prompting aides to seek a cost estimate. He wanted the wall electrified, with spikes on top that could pierce human flesh.”
Vote republican NEVER
Los piojos no votan and she knows that she'll win again and again. UNBELIEVABLE that a gringa represents El Gran Southmost its no longer El Gran.
The reason I have disdain for Sofia is not because she is a woman but because I live in her district and she is the one I can vote for or against. I keep asking myself why they would support a trillion dollar for profit company that would come here anyway with a tax write-off that some of the poorest people in the country are going to have to cover. I have a friend that says they are taking money, bribes. I have argued with him but it is getting harder to do. I think I may be coming around to his way of thinking. Why would they give a tax break to a company that would come here anyway? Are those supposed to be incentives to attract industry? They should be paying us for the wear and tear of the roads, the use of emergency services, all the infrastructure they will be using and using up. There is even a system for doing that -- its called taxes. And that is not even to address the health issues down wind. Lets see if any pols buy new cars or take any exotic trips in the next year or two. Lets watch the political donations and track their source. Just so we know.
START A PETITION KICK EVERYBODY OUT since they don't vote maybe they can sign a petition IF THEY KNOW HOW TO WRITE pinches piojos
Good morning everyone!! What a wonderful day in Cameron County! NOT!!! Common folks, when will you all learn and open your eyes! Politics is Politics, be it here in Cameron County or anywhere in the United States! All these elected officials all though they say that everything they do is in the best interest for the people know for a fact it's in best interest for themselves! This billion dollar company, yes billion dollar company picks this specific area to build and you think someone is not going to get paid on the side? Seriously?? Why is everyone picking on Pct.1 Commissioner Sofia Benavides? Could it be that there was no way in hell she would vote no on this. Mrs. Benavides is running for office again and this covers her area, political donations?? I will not only voice my disappointment in Mrs. Benavides but also voice my disappointment in Joey Lopez and Gus "Spoiled Brat" Ruiz. Joey Lopez who has been money hungry since the beginning also voted yes. Mr. Lopez who was denied that huge pay raise found another way of getting it! What can we say about Mr. Ruiz, well I must choose my words wisely before he gets his granny panties in a bunch and has me thrown in jail for voicing my opinion. Mr. Ruiz is just in simply just an embarrassment! Judge Eddie Trevino voted no, not because it was the right thing to do but because he is doing damage control for his "You just want to BITCH" comment. All I see are people complaining but yet you all are the same people who elect these fools! Have a great day Cameron County!
Pura lana for these three that voted voted for it, plus the county judge (mr goody two shoes trevino) too even though he voted no, we all know its all about the Benjamins and nothing else.
Annova will get a total of $373 million tax abatement... as long as the company ensures at least 35 of their employees are local hires.
How dumb are these commissioners???? To give up $373 million for 35 jobs? What kind of jobs? Dishwashing jobs, landscaping jobs? These companies make billions they can afford to pay one of the poorest counties in America their due in taxes.
Mario. De verdad? Sientate por favor.
LNGs will change this community. Forget Space X.
Vote'em out!
All elected officials are not here to help the community or to listen to what they want and need. After they get elected they do what they want and seek to set themselves and their families financially for the future. They don't care and that goes for ALL OF THEM!!!
Every employee whether local of not local will eat, shop, buy property, cars etc etc. here in town. This will have a positive impact on our economy.
Of course it will have an impact but what kind? When you breath deadly and poisonous chemicals in the air WHAT KIND OF IMPACT WILL IT HAVE PENDEJO or a couple of explosions WHAT KIND OF IMPACT WILL IT HAVE PENDEJO
Now here is some real negligence. Where are the vets now? Focusing on stupid shit like Erasmo and BISD. They need to remove these folks for negligence and ruining the environment. Get rid of these shitty members that think 35% of local jobs is enough for the area all while ruining the environment. This is not just negligence but severe incompetence as they are risking the well being of many. This will cause harm to the environment and people’s health having such a toxic company.
For 5 years now sofia benavides has known about opposition to the project and you can bet for 5 years she did NO due diligence on lng. she's dense and dumb and a low energy bore to watch at the commisisioners' court. How moronic a decision can you make? The lng companies weren't looking to open anywhere but here-you had them bent over a barrel and instead they bent her over. It's high time her and her antiquated visions, dumb decisions and low energy leadership be voted out. Cameron County one of, if not the poorest counties in AMerica and she raises taxes on us and gives the lng companies a tax break. now they can open up and pollute the air within view of our children's schools (1.9 miles). SHe's total and absolute embarrassment. IMPEACH her.
Los piojos no votan and she knows that 20 gringos voted that the new commissioner to represent el penjejo southmost ONLY 20 y la gringa gano!!!!
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