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.
Sen. Tim Keller, D-Albuquerque, is pushing forward with two bills he says will make New Mexico more accountable with money. And both got the blessing of Gov. Bill Richardson on Monday.
Senate Bill 23 would force the state to produce a ‘tax expenditure budget,’ which means the state (and the Legislature) could have a clearer picture of how much money it loses because of tax exemptions, credits and incentives. For example, the report could detail how much income the state misses out on because of tax deductions for charitable contributions or tax incentives for the film industry.
“Both of these measures are designed to create greater transparency and understanding of our state’s system of taxation and incentive structure,” Keller said Monday in a news release. ”As we struggle with the current economic climate it’s clear to me that citizens and legislators need more information about return on investment in order to make better-informed decisions.”
A second bill, Senate Bill 47, would make the state take a closer look at who in the state are getting and using tax breaks. The report would show how many jobs a particular tax break is creating and create a seven year review to see if the recipients are meeting the requirements of the deal.
