The bulk of the revenue package has now been passed by both houses and is ready for the governor's signature. It is very similar to that described in the last update, with PIT add-back, 1/8 cent GRT increase, collection of compensating tax when business buys from out-of-state suppliers (which is great for New Mexico business suppliers because it levels the playing field) and an end to hold harmless payments for food tax (and re-instatement of the city/county share of food tax to make the cities and counties whole, although the actual food tax may not match up with the hold harmless payments exactly in every city and county).
The last piece that would affect the general fund is being debated today in the Senate: the cigarette tax. The Senate Finance Committee just passed a version that would earmark some of the tax for early childhood programs, but only for the first year. We usually prefer money going to the general fund, but this earmark can potentially save critical CYFD programs administered by our members that have been scaled back during the past year. The bill will go to the Senate floor very soon.
Call the following senators and ask them to support a 75 cents/pack cigarette tax with funding for early childhood programs and no sunset:
Pete Campos (Las Vegas--Guadalupe, Mora, San Miguel, Santa Fe & Torrance Counties) 986-4311 petecampos@newmexico.com
Carlos Cisneros (Questa--Los Alamos, Rio Arriba, Santa Fe & Taos Counties) 986-4365 carlos.cisneros@nmlegis.gov
Tim Eichenberg (Albuquerque--Bernalillo County) 986-4859 tim.eichenberg@nmlegis.gov
Mary Jane Garcia (Dona Ana--Dona Ana County) 986-4726 maryjane.garcia@nmlegis.gov
Phil Griego (San Jose--Los Alamos, Mora, Sandoval, San Miguel, Santa Fe & Taos Counties) 986-4861 senatorgriego@yahoo.com
Richard Martinez (Espanola--Los Alamos, Rio Arriba & Santa Fe Counties) 986-4389 richard.martinez@nmlegis.gov
George Munoz (Gallup--Cibola & McKinley Counties) 986-4387 munozgeo@gmail.com
Mary Kay Papen (Las Cruces--Dona Ana County) 986-4270 marykay.papen@nmlegis.gov
Bernadette Sanchez (Albuquerque--Bernalillo County) 986-4267 senb26@yahoo.com
Michael Sanchez (Belen--Valencia County) 986-4727 senatormssanchez@aol.com
John Sapien (Corrales--Sandoval County) 986-4371 john.sapien@nmlegis.gov
David Ulibarri (Grants--Cibola, Socorro & Valencia Counties) 986-4265 david.ulibarri@nmlegis.gov
