It is about time the legislature and governor address this serious problem, for ‘we the people.’ Also how about taking some of the huge budget surplus and give some of it back to the 37% of us that pay taxes here in New Mexico! We are the ones that keep the boat afloat along with oil and gas. I hear crickets on this from both parties! If you hear different, let me know! LOWER PROPERTY TAXES! As usual, so much money is going to be poured down a rat hole! It is very disgusting that since we moved here in 1995, the quality of life decreases. New Mexico is very consistent in one way, finishing last in almost everything good, like education, child well-being, worst state to raise a family and so on. Number three in drunk driving deaths.
I remember when we were told the tax money from the casinos would help New Mexico have better education and roads, NEVER HAPPENED! I remember when we were told the lottery would do the same! NEVER HAPPENED! NOW! What is happening with all the dirty, evil pot money the state is getting????????
FGGAM received the following news release overnight from the GOP Senate:
The Senate Finance Committee advanced Senate Bill 161, sponsored by Senator Pat Woods (R-Broadview), with unanimous, bipartisan support. The bill provides a lifeline to rural hospitals that offer emergency services, several of which are facing closure due to the increased burdens of medical malpractice, a lack of providers, and a bevy of other issues.
Senator Woods issued the following statement regarding the advancement of his bill:
“While the state coffers are dealing with another year of prosperity thanks to oil and gas, many of our essential services such as rural hospitals are facing dire straits. We have created a death squeeze on our rural hospitals, forcing patients to drive to the metro or out of state for care. Without this bridge funding, our rural hospitals will not survive the transition to a more sustainable business model to continue meeting the health care needs of rural New Mexico.”
Just in to FGGAM From the NM GOP Senate:
Senator Bill Sharer and Senator Crystal Brantley Issue Statement on Advancement of PFML Tax
Legislation will raise taxes on New Mexico employees and employers
SANTA FE—Today, the Senate Finance Committee advanced the Paid Family Medical Leave Act on a vote of 6-5 with all Senate Republicans voting against the measure. The bill would impose a mandatory tax on every New Mexico business with five or more employees and an additional tax on the employees’ paychecks. Contributions would feed a state fund to pay out up to 12 weeks of paid leave.
“Today was a contrast between responsible government and idealistic thinking,” said Senator Bill Sharer (R-Farmington), the ranking member on the Senate Finance Committee. “Not only did the sponsor choose to implement an additional tax on small businesses and employees, but two of the three projections indicate this fund will soon be insolvent. We have a multi-billion dollar surplus, and yet, Senate Democrats are choosing to implement another tax.”
“No one understands the importance of maternity leave better than a mother,” added Senator Crystal Brantley (R-Elephant Butte). “However, this bill is not universal parental leave. Rather, it’s a wide-open invitation for fraud with limited guardrails that will harm small businesses and raise taxes on hardworking New Mexicans. With this vote, progressive Democrats continue to demonstrate their insatiable appetite for higher taxes and more government control.”
Senate Bill 3 will now be considered by the full Senate.
Rural hospitals at the brink: Revenue, inflation, staff and transport among challenges
University of New Mexico hospital receives a failing grade in a recent hospital safety review
Dr. Guy Clark: New Mexico Online Gambling Legislative Actions
