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.
Vicki Pozzebon, executive director of an organization representing hundreds of Santa Fe businesses, has a bit of heartburn today with a presentation on good tax policy scheduled for a Senate committee.
“I’m concerned that one side will be represented,” said Pozzebon, who heads up the Santa Fe Alliance, a member of the Better Choices Coalition.
Better Choices is a coalition of a small businesses, faith-based groups, and non-profit organizations that supports looking at the revenue side of the equation to address the state’s large budgetary shortfall.
“We’re concerned that none of our people are on the panel,” Pozzebon added.
Better Choices believes that cutting services and programs to balance the state’s books is a mistake and has suggested ways to raise revenue.
A fierce tug of war has continued for months between those who support cuts to close the budget gap and those who advocate tax increases on wealthy individuals and out-of-state corporations, among other things.
Also of concern, Pozzebon said, is that one of the presenters before the Senate committee today – Jim O’Neill — is a lobbyist for the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, which has opposed many measures supported by the Better Choices coalition.
The presentation includes discussion on personal income and corporate income taxes, the state’s gross receipt tax, tax incentives and property tax issues.
Pozzebon’s complaint mirrors concerns raised by members of the Better Choices coalition over appointees to Gov. Bill Richardson’s Budget Balancing Task Force last year.
Pozzebon said one Better Choices-supported proposal that didn’t get much attention from the task force was combined reporting for out-of-state corporations.
Such a proposal is before the New Mexico Legislature during the 30-day legislative session. If passed, it would require multi-state companies with stores in New Mexico to pay taxes on income earned here.
