‘Flat Tax’ Legislation Would Increase Unfairness
By New Mexico Voices for ChildrenALBUQUERQUE—New Mexico’s state and local tax system is already unfair—with the lowest-income New Mexicans paying a rate double that of the highest income earners. A so-called ‘Flat Tax’ or consumption bill, such as the one introduced in the 2013 legislative session by Rep. Tom Taylor (HB-369) and Sen. William Sharer (SB-368), would make the tax system even more regressive. That’s according to a report by New Mexico Voices for Children.
Since similar legislation is already being discussed for the 2014 legislation session, staff members from the child advocacy Read More
New Postage Rate Increase Three Times Inflation
NNA News:
The Postal Regulatory Commission handed everyone who uses the mail a lump of coal on Christmas Eve: approval of the U.S. Postal Service’s proposal to raise postage rates by more than triple today’s inflation.
National Newspaper Association (NNA) President Robert M. Williams Jr., publisher of the Blackshear (GA) Times, said NNA respectfully disagrees with the Postal Service’s request as well as the commission’s decision. He insists a lack of action by Congress to enact postal reform is at the root of the problem.
The new rates will likely go into effect Jan. 26 if USPS elects to accept Read More
New Mexico Nationally Recognized for Improved Tax Fairness
Gov. Susana Martinez
STATE News:
SANTA FE – Gov. Susana Martinez announced that New Mexico has been recognized by the Council On State Taxation (COST), a national nonpartisan taxpayer watchdog group, for a dramatic improvement in state tax administration.
The group has upgraded New Mexico’s rating from a D to a B after the state adopted several reforms to simplify the tax code, making it fairer and more user-friendly. COST monitors and rates every state on tax appeal processes and administrative practices based on fairness of tax laws and regulations for tax administration.
“This new rating Read More
NNSA, IAEA Conduct Emergency Response Training for First Responders for Ports and Customs
Joseph Krol, NNSA
NNSA News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recently conducted an International Radiological Assistance Program Training for Emergency Response (I-RAPTER) course for 16 representatives from 10 countries including Armenia, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Malta, Mexico, Netherlands, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.
The course, held in Las Vegas, Nev., focused specifically on response procedures for port and customs offices involved Read More
New Mexico Ranks Second Worst-Run State
STATE News:
The online news source 24/7 Wall St. has ranked New Mexico as the second-worst run state in the country, scoring better than California by only a small margin.
One measure that helped put it above California was its credit rating. Standard & Poor’s rates the state AA+, and Moody’s gives it a perfect Aaa rating. The state’s debt load relative to its size was average, and its budget shortfall of 8.3 percent for going into fiscal 2012 was better than many states.
Outside of fiscal management, however, New Mexico performed poorly in several areas. The state was among the worst 10 nationwide Read More
Lujan Grisham Urges Extension of Federal Unemployment Insurance
Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham
U.S. CONGRESSIONAL NEWS:
WASHINGTON, D.C. – With 1.3 million Americans losing all of their federal unemployment insurance Dec. 28, Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham, N.M.-01, is urging an extension of the program.
Friday, she announced that she is cosponsoring the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2013 (H.R.3546), legislation that would extend the current Emergency Unemployment Compensation program through the end of 2014. In addition to the 6,000 long-term unemployed New Mexicans who are slated to lose their unemployment insurance Saturday, Read More
Proposed Bills Require Oversight and Competitive Bid for Behavioral Health Contractors
STATE News:
SANTA FE – New Mexico’s Legislative Health and Human Services Committee (LHHSC) has endorsed legislation, which requires more transparency and accountability of performing behavior health audits and secures avenues to keep in-state providers in business, while tightening up procurement policy.
Senate Majority Whip Tim Keller, D-17 Bernalillo, proposed the bills as a result of the behavioral health audit catastrophe this year, implementing a freeze of Medicaid dollars to 14 behavioral health providers throughout the state.
“It has become abundantly Read More
New Mexico’s Largest Wholesale Candy Warehouse Opens to Public in Albuquerque
BUSINESS News:
Nationwide Candy, New Mexico’s largest wholesale candy warehouse, has opened to the public in Albuquerque with more than 9,000 items for any occasion.
Originally an online distributor across the globe, Nationwide Candy’s new location is open to the public with no minimums and no membership required.
Nationwide Candy is at 3901 Academy Parkway North NE 87109 or call 505.797.4089. Read More
Luján, Lujan Grisham Introduce Legislation to Protect Native American Seeds
Courtesy/nativeseeds.org
U.S. CONGRESSIONAL News:
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Reps. Ben Ray Luján, N.M.-03 and Michelle Lujan Grisham, N.M.-01, both members of the Congressional Native American Caucus, have introduced legislation to help preserve Native American seeds used for cultural, religious, medicinal, ceremonial and agricultural purposes.
The Native American Seeds Protection Act of 2013 (H.R. 3782) would allow tribes, working in conjunction with qualified research entities, to obtain grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to conduct research, education and training Read More
New Episode Released of ‘The Udall Update’ Television Show
U.S. Sen. Tom Udall
U.S. SENATE News:
- Public Access Program Provides Information About Udall’s Work in the U.S. Senate on Behalf of New Mexicans
