Roosevelt County Chamber’s
Legislative Report
March 3, 2017
Legislative Report
March 3, 2017
Tax Increase Measures on Move in Senate
The Senate passed SB 95 a gas tax bill Thursday that would increase the gas tax by 10 cents and raise an estimated $190 million a year.The Senate also moved the House tax bill, HB 202 forward, passing it out of the Senate Corporations and Transportation committee to the Senate Finance committee. That bill proposes to raise $250 million in new taxes. The line in the sand has become quite clear with Democrats proclaiming that they don’t want to balance the budget on the backs of schools and the Administration seeing a path to a budget through closing loopholes, moving capital outlay money to the general fund and maybe tapping an overflowing legislative retirement fund. With two weeks left the question is how do they get to compromise.
The Senate passed SB 95 a gas tax bill Thursday that would increase the gas tax by 10 cents and raise an estimated $190 million a year.The Senate also moved the House tax bill, HB 202 forward, passing it out of the Senate Corporations and Transportation committee to the Senate Finance committee. That bill proposes to raise $250 million in new taxes. The line in the sand has become quite clear with Democrats proclaiming that they don’t want to balance the budget on the backs of schools and the Administration seeing a path to a budget through closing loopholes, moving capital outlay money to the general fund and maybe tapping an overflowing legislative retirement fund. With two weeks left the question is how do they get to compromise.
Minimum Wage Bills Everywhere
Multiple minimum wage bills have been introduced and some have already died. The most burdensome to business of those left appears to be SB 36 which was just passed out of the Senate Corporations and Transportation committee on a narrow vote. It incorporates an annual cost of living adjustment based on the CPI with now cap and no sunset. On the other hand SB 386 might actually stand a chance — even with the Governor’s veto pen. It proposes a $9 an hour minimum wage but also allows for an $8 an hour training wage for 60 days. It also steps the increase up in two bites with the last one in April 2018.
Multiple minimum wage bills have been introduced and some have already died. The most burdensome to business of those left appears to be SB 36 which was just passed out of the Senate Corporations and Transportation committee on a narrow vote. It incorporates an annual cost of living adjustment based on the CPI with now cap and no sunset. On the other hand SB 386 might actually stand a chance — even with the Governor’s veto pen. It proposes a $9 an hour minimum wage but also allows for an $8 an hour training wage for 60 days. It also steps the increase up in two bites with the last one in April 2018.
Senate Approves Online Room Rental Measure
The Senate easily passed SB 254 which seeks to close the tax exemption loophole for vendors offering fewer than three rooms of lodging. This is very close to the wording of HB 266 which we reported on last week, so something here is likely to make it to the Governor’s desk.
The Senate easily passed SB 254 which seeks to close the tax exemption loophole for vendors offering fewer than three rooms of lodging. This is very close to the wording of HB 266 which we reported on last week, so something here is likely to make it to the Governor’s desk.
Crime Bills Moving Well
Several crime prevention bills made progress this week including HB 45 toughening child abuse penalties, HB 43 which would change the definition of force or coercion in a position of authority in child abuse and HB 71 which clarifies the laws against sending illicit images to children. All important things if the 800-pound gorilla of a budget fight wasn’t looming in the background.
Several crime prevention bills made progress this week including HB 45 toughening child abuse penalties, HB 43 which would change the definition of force or coercion in a position of authority in child abuse and HB 71 which clarifies the laws against sending illicit images to children. All important things if the 800-pound gorilla of a budget fight wasn’t looming in the background.
Gun Control Measure Poll
Many of you took our online SurveyMonkey poll last week concerning HB 50 which seeks to close the so-called gun show loophole and require background checks for individuals selling, loaning or giving a firearm to another individual. It wasn’t even close — 75 percent of you are against this measure while 22 percent support it. Three percent would support it if the right amendments were added.
Keep In Touch
Give us a call (575) 356-8541 or an email karlterry@portales.com and let us know what bills you’re tracking. Tell us what polls you would like to see us run as well. Finally, make your opinion known to your legislators with a quick email. Look that legislators email up through this quick link https://www.nmlegis.gov/Members/Find_My_Legislator
Give us a call (575) 356-8541 or an email karlterry@portales.com and let us know what bills you’re tracking. Tell us what polls you would like to see us run as well. Finally, make your opinion known to your legislators with a quick email. Look that legislators email up through this quick link https://www.nmlegis.gov/Members/Find_My_Legislator
Thanks, great article.