I am writing today to announce the closure of the New Mexico Independent. After three and a half years of operation in New Mexico, the board of the American Independent News Network, has decided to shift publication of its news…
While environmental activists played their part yesterday during demonstrations at the capitol building, going so far as to dress up as solar panels and to sing the tune of “You Are My Sunshine,” their counterparts, the anti-cap-and-trade contingency who has…
Roughly one quarter of University of New Mexico students are unimpressed with the state’s flagship public school, according to a survey that questioned college students about their higher education experiences.
Smoking could help solve the state’s budgetary shortfall. How? It’s simple: Raise the state’s 91-cent tax per pack by a $1 and bring in roughly $29.7 million in the first year. That’s the thrust of an idea that anti-smoking advocates are pushing at the state Capitol at a time when New Mexico is swimming in red ink.
The advocates say the idea has popular support and point to a survey conducted by Albuquerque-based Research & Polling Inc. to back up their statement.
Kate Nash of the Santa Fe New Mexican has the story here.
The idea for a higher state cigarette tax comes as state lawmakers are trying to come to an agreement on how to cover this year’s $454 million budget shortfall. Figure in next year’s shortfall, which one prominent lawmaker has said could grow to $1 billion, and state lawmakers likely are looking under every rock to find money.
That being said, look for legislation that will raise the state cigarette tax. I don’t know the sponsor or when the bill will drop, but it’s likely to come. Why do I say that? Let’s just say, experience covering state legislatures in more than one state.
In times of financial stress, states often have turned to raising taxes on cigarettes to help cover budget shortfalls in recent years.
Plus, as I noted above, state lawmakers are looking everywhere for money to cover the budget shortfalls.
Sen. Sue Wilson Beffort, R-Sandia Park, mentioned on Thursday that she might sponsor legislation ordering the state to offer a tax-amnesty program. Tax-amnesty would give individuals and companies a certain period of time to pay back taxes without having to suffer the penalties that normally accompany tax liability.
“I think this is one time where we can do it and get some revenue real quick,” Beffort said during a legislative hearing.
