By LISA SHIN
Chair
Republican Party of Los Alamos

Dear Friends:

First and foremost, I applaud the Republican and Democrat Senators who voted against HB 11: Senators Munoz, Shendo, Brandt, Campos, Gonzales, Lanier, Tobiassen and Woods. You can thank them here. After all the debate, it is fitting that this new mandate and tax failed to pass in the Senate Finance Committee.

These Senators carefully reviewed the fiscal impact report for HB 11 by our House Commerce and Economic Development Committee. There was no clear funding mechanism for the $9,000 welcome child benefit, which would have cost the State $193.5 million every year. With New Mexico being the lowest income state to implement a paid leave program, the payroll contribution would have been insufficient and could have resulted in a whopping $910 million deficit by the year 2031. Predictably, all employees would have been subject to payroll tax increases over time to cover the needs of the fund, which is what happened in states such as Rhode Island, Massachusetts and California.

Please mark your calendars for our Central Committee meeting 6 p.m. this coming Thursday at Open Door Bible Ministry, 2101 Trinity Drive Ste A-2. We will hear from a special guest, Los Alamos Public Schools Superintendent Jennifer Guy, as well as updates for our County Council, Transportation Board and Health Council Board.

Contact me at chair@losalamosgop.com, www.losalamosgop.com, 505.310.3254 or @RepublicanPartyofLosAlamos.