Food tax would hurt New Mexico families
Lt. Gov. Diane Denish (Photo by Heath Haussamen)
For many New Mexico families, budgets are tighter this holiday season than last, which means fewer gifts under the tree. But for other families, simply getting by is a struggle. During these difficult times, a broad-based tax on food to fix the budget shortfall is a bad idea.
I will not support it, plain and simple.
Our state is facing serious budget challenges, no doubt about it. But we must not balance the budget on the backs of regular, hard-working New Mexico families. And when nearly one in four New Mexico children go to bed hungry, making it more difficult for their parents to buy basic food is simply unconscionable.
So when the Legislature convenes next month, where should lawmakers look to close the budget gap?
First and foremost, before anyone starts debating tax increases, legislators must do everything possible to make sure government is leaner and more efficient. They must not ask for more tax dollars until they can show that the tax dollars already coming in are being spent as efficiently as possible. I’ve proposed several areas where reform is needed, including overhauling the capital outlay system and ending the practice of double-dipping. Others have proposed additional reform ideas that require thoughtful consideration.
Once all possible reforms are debated and implemented, legislators should look to see who is gaming the system at the expense of the taxpayers. Right now, a loophole exists in New Mexico law that allows big, out-of-state corporations to get special breaks at the expense of New Mexico families and businesses. Haven’t we seen enough of these kinds of special breaks on Wall Street?
We certainly want to create incentives for employers to create jobs, but New Mexicans are sick of these loopholes for the big guys – that’s a big part of what got our nation into this economic mess in the first place.
These are just a few ideas for reducing the state’s budget shortfall, and I’m open to other good ideas as well.
But before legislators convene in January, they should send a clear message to New Mexicans that the food tax is off the table. We simply cannot, in good conscience, support higher taxes on basic necessities at a time when so many families are struggling to get by.
I urge New Mexicans to contact their legislators and encourage them to oppose this costly, harmful tax increase.
Denish in New Mexico’s lieutenant governor and a Democratic candidate for governor.
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Stop the piggish spending! That’s why we are in the mess we are in! Less spending equals the need for less taxation. (Apparently Congress is not familiar with this concept.)
Attacking double dipping is politically correct and popular but it will do absolutely nothing to balance the budget. Double dippers pay the state for the privilege by paying into state retirement with no return on the money paid. It is a work tax. The state will save no money and the Public Employees Retirement Fund will lose money. We are going to lose this race to the Republicans if Diane doesn’t stop riding the fence and take real stands.
Of course raising taxes will hurt families. What we are missing from Mrs. Denish is exactly what she WILL do! As for Mrs. Martinez – she’s been a public employee for her entire professional career. She’s never had to make a payroll or figure out where the next buck is going to come from so she would be the second to last person New Mexicans should look to for our solutions – the first being our Lt. Governor. Lets take a look at the candidates with successful business backgrounds – Weh and Turner. At least they know what the real world is like.
She is right, and cutting education and imposing taxes on families will not solve our economic problems in New Mexico.
Denish is interested in not causing hardships on the people of New Mexico? Where was she when Richardson and the rest of this administration were finding ways to waste tax dollars on pork barrel projects? To raise the food tax is definitely harmful to the economy and the people, but the spending spree Richardson and the rest of this administration went on was more harmful.
What did she do to curtail the spending? She has done nothing at all. It was just business as usual, and had a ‘don’t rock the boat that is sailing along at breakneck speed on smooth waters.’ Now Denish comes out with a vote against another tax. What does this tell you? She is doing everything she can to become governor and will tell the people what they want to hear.
Don’t you think a person with a proven track record for rooting out corruption and running an efficient ship, even on troubled waters is the answer? We would be better off with Susana Martinez. She has proven herself on many issues in the past.
Im sorry but i read this extremely short commentary several times and am struggling to find any substantive proposals for dealing with our budget crisis. While ending the practice of double dipping is a no brainer, it will hardly make a dent in what will likley be a billion dollar shortfall. Leaner and for efficient doesnt mean much if there is no proposal behind it. What about eliminating the hundreds of political employees? What about a firm commitment to not raise taxes at all. Come on be honest with us voters and put something with some meat on the table!
Very rational. the last time we elected a tax cutting/fee raising governor was … 2002 … Richardson/Denish. Good words.
Politicians created the mess — so let them eat their fruits.
Taxing corporations will only cause businesses to pass on the tax to consumers or reduce employees.
When will voters learn that govt cannot give anything to anyone without first stealing/taking from others?
Maybe, in the next couple election cycles voters will shed themselves of all current thieves and start fresh till enough honesty remains, then start eliminating bureaucracies like all EPA agencies that not only stifle free-enterprise but are dismantling the middle class.