Voters Have Final Say in Rio Rancho: The Rio Rancho City Council may have the authority to raise the sales tax using the Hold Harmless provision, but it may not set well with voters. And while Rio Rancho residents can’t vote on the use of the Hold Harmless tax, they can vote on who represents them on the City Council.
Corrections from last email on 8-6-13: The Rio Rancho Higher Education tax vote is on August 20, 2013. Concerning the Dona Ana County land issue, the size of land in question to be designated a monument is 600,000 acres, not 600 acres as stated under the Call to Action. The New Mexico Business Coalition (NMBC) will be sending a letter to President Obama and the New Mexico Congressional delegation on this important issue, and we hope you take the time to do so as well (and send the NMBC a copy when you do).
Protect our land FOR the people, not FROM the people.
Local and national environmental groups are pushing President Obama to designate 600,000 acres as a national monument in Dona Ana County . Remember when the New Mexico Business Coalition hosted Utah Representative Ken Ivory who talked about states like New Mexico who have more federally owned land than private land? He was right that New Mexico needs to control our public lands, not the federal government.
Bad policy and ill spent tax dollars fail every time! Last spring, the New Mexico Business Coalition (NMBC) told voters in Roswell about an increase to the local Gross Receipts Tax (GRT) that would soon be on a ballot. The GRT increase, if passed, would fund an ordinance passed by the city council for economic development.
New Mexico Business Coalition (NMBC) HEROES Luncheon – SAVE THE DATE: The 2013 HEROES Luncheon will be on September 26, 2013 at the Albuquerque Country Club. Plan now to attend. For sponsorship opportunities or to nominate a HERO for 2013, contact NMBC at nmbiz@nmbizcoalition.org or (505) 836-4223.
Need more taxes? Doña Ana County voters are looking at a sales tax increase of 1/4 of 1%. Proposed by the Doña Ana County Commission, this tax increase will pay for expanded 911 call operations and ambulance services. Also on the ballot are three bond questions that, if passed, will continue a property tax that is already in place. If rejected, it will lead to a decrease in property tax rates.
Due to the recent passing of Governor Cargo, Senate Pro Tem Papen will be speaking at a memorial for him in Santa Fe today. Our condolences to his family.
Las Cruces BASH (Business and Social Hour) is HOT with Excitement: The first NMBC Las Cruces BASH will be Thursday, July 11, 2013, from 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm. Join us at La Posta de Mesilla as we feature guest speaker Senate President Pro Tem Mary Kay Papen.
Job Opening - City of Albuquerque Mayor, Salary $103,854.40/Year. Want to be a part of the interview process?
Bernalillo County Right of Way Ordinance Will Be Decided Tonight: The Bernalillo County Commission is scheduled to vote TONIGHT on a proposed Right-of-Way Use Ordinance to impose fees on utility and nonutility entities that use county property. But this "fee" is really a tax. Bernalillo County Commissioner Wayne Johnson put it this way, "A tax is a tax even when you call it a 'fee.' and utilities can, do and will pass the proposed 3 percent 'fee' on to you no matter what it's called." Read more by Commissioner Johnson HERE. The ordinance would allow for fees to be calculated and collected using two (2) options: 1) Franchise Fee - a percentage of gross revenues and 2) Assessed Usage Fee - a formula-based calculation using "assessed value" of property occupied. Because of utility rate structures, fees are usually passed on to ALL of a utility's customers - not just those residing in the affected area.