TRANSCRIPT: Webcast/Livelog of the Budget Balancing Task Force Meeting

Task Force Fights Over Two (2) Proposals: Increase taxes for food, or increase taxes for richest New Mexicans?

At a meeting of Gov. Richardson’s task force to study ways to increase revenues for school children, corporate leaders who earn more than $100K a year said they support bringing back sales taxes on food. Lawmakers cut food taxes in 2004. The president of the Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, says it’s a good time to bring back food taxes.

But, religious organizations say restoring food taxes is wrong. "A tax on food takes food out of the hands of the people," said the executive director of the New Mexico Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The task force also fought over a proposal to add one percent (1%) to the personal state income taxes of the richest New Mexicans. Corporate leaders claim rolling back state income tax cuts for the richest New Mexicans will hurt the economy.

Progressive task force members disagree. They say the reason for budget deficits is because lawmakers gave away tax revenues to the richest New Mexicans. Lawmakers cut state income taxes for the wealthiest New Mexicans in 2003. Tax cuts for the rich are now worth half a billion dollars a year.

Gov. Richardson's 42-member task force:
25 votes: Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce, ABQ Chamber of Commerce, ABQ Hispano Chamber of Commerce, NM Economic Development Partnership, Wellborn Strategies, NM Dairy Producers, RSF Land & Cattle Co., Don Chalmers Auto, NM Independent Community Bankers Assoc., Assoc. General Contractors, Renewable Energy Industries Assoc., NM Oil & Gas Assoc., Presbyterian Health Services, Molina Healthcare, Intel, Phelps Dodge, NM Realtors Assoc., NM Restaurant Assoc., Cigar Assoc. of America, NM Alcohol Industry, NM Independent Insurance Agents, ABQ Economic Forum, ABQ Production Central, NM Tax Research Institute

6 votes: NM Conservation Voters, NM Lutheran Advocacy Ministry, NM Conference of Catholic Bishops, NM Voices for Children, AARP NM, Think NM

4 votes: Hobbs Sun News, NM Municipal League, NM Assoc. of Counties, UNM Regents

3 votes: Tax & Rev Dept., NM Lt. Gov., Transportation Commission

3 votes: Acoma Pueblo Lt. Gov., Clovis mayor, Rio Rancho Planning & Zoning Bd.

1 vote: American Federation State Municipal Employees Union

1 vote: National Education Assoc. of New Mexico