2-9-23 Alert

Good Afternoon, New Mexico Activists:

We’re happy to report that SB 165 Local Choice Energy passed in Senate Conservation this morning, 6-2 along party lines! And we have two important tax reform bills coming up tomorrow morning, and a minimum age increase bill on Monday. If you miss or lose an Alert, remember you can find them all on our website at this link.

Either I missed it, or they added it to the agenda later, but on Friday, Feb. 10, 8:30 a.m., Room 317, House Taxation & Revenue will hear HB 120 Limit Capital Gains Tax Deduction in addition to HB 144 Increase Certain Child Income Tax Credit, which we told you about yesterday. Currently, New Mexico allows 40% of capital gains income to be deducted from income taxes, and approximately 85% of capital gains are generated by the wealthiest 5% of taxpayers. The Fiscal Impact Report (FIR) projects that limiting this tax giveaway for the wealthy would generate over $70M a year. And, as we mentioned before regarding HB 144, raising child income tax credits has been shown to dramatically reduce childhood poverty! You’ll find talking points for these bills at the links in the bill titles above.

Please call and email committee members today to urge them to vote “YES” on HB 120 and HB 144. You may offer public comment in person or via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89087836680. Or use one tap mobile US: +12532050468, 89087836680# or +12532158782, 89087836680#. Webinar ID: 890 8783 6680. Or watch the hearing via Webcast here.

House Tax & Revenue Committee

For bulk email: “Cynthia Borrego” <Cynthia.Borrego@nmlegis.gov>, “Micaela Lara Cadena” <micaela.cadena@nmlegis.gov>, “Ambrose Castellano” <ambrose.castellano@nmlegis.gov>, “Christine Chandler” <christine.chandler@nmlegis.gov>, “Mark Duncan” <Mark.Duncan@nmlegis.gov>, “Doreen Y. Gallegos” <doreen.gallegos@nmlegis.gov>, “Jason C. Harper” <JasonHarperNM@gmail.com>, “Joshua N. Hernandez” <joshua.hernandez@nmlegis.gov>, “Derrick J. Lente” <derrick.lente@nmlegis.gov>, “Javier Martínez” <javier.martinez@nmlegis.gov>, “Kristina Ortez” <kristina.ortez@nmlegis.gov>, “Larry R. Scott” <larry.scott@nmlegis.gov>, “Linda Serrato” <linda.serrato@nmlegis.gov>, “James G. Townsend” townsend@pvtn.net

NEW: On Mon., Feb. 13, 1:30, Room 317, House Commerce & Economic Development will hear HB 25 Minimum Wage Increase & Indexing, the best of the minimum wage increase bills this year. HB 25 would raise the minimum wage from $12 to $16 an hour beginning Jan. 1, 2024, and beginning in 2025 indexes rises in the minimum wage to rises in the federal Consumer Price Index (CPI). The minimum wage for tipped workers (currently $3/hr.) will also be indexed. If the CPI decreases, the minimum wage does not decrease. You’ll find more talking points in the link at the bill title above.

Please call and email committee members today or Friday to urge them to vote “YES” on HB 25. You can offer public comment in person or via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81561067239. Or one tap mobile US: +16694449171, 81561067239# or +16699009128, 81561067239. Webinar ID: 815 6106 7239.

House Commerce & Economic Development Committee

For bulk email: “Janelle Anyanonu” <Janelle.Anyanonu@nmlegis.gov>, “Mark Duncan” <Mark.Duncan@nmlegis.gov>, “Doreen Y. Gallegos” <doreen.gallegos@nmlegis.gov>, “Joshua N. Hernandez” <joshua.hernandez@nmlegis.gov>, “Derrick J. Lente” <derrick.lente@nmlegis.gov>, “Charlotte Little” <Charlotte.Little@nmlegis.gov>, “Patricia A. Lundstrom” <patricia.lundstrom@nmlegis.gov>, “Alan T. Martinez” <Alan.Martinez@nmlegis.gov>, “Jimmy G. Mason” <Jimmy.Mason@nmlegis.gov>, “Marian Matthews” <marian.matthews@nmlegis.gov>, “Linda Serrato” <linda.serrato@nmlegis.gov>

If new hearings are added when they update the schedules tonight, we’ll send you another Alert in the morning. But this is all we have for now. Thank you for your time and energy!

In Gratitude & Solidarity,

Roxanne and Paul