Albuquerque voters have some important choices to make and one of the issues is increased taxes. Voting ‘Yes’ on a 1/8th percent increase in GRT to pay for improvements to the Albuquerque BioPark will generate about $250 million over the next 20 years according to advocates for the tax.
If approved by voters, the tax is supposed to end in 15 years, but it’s important to understand that these sunset provisions rarely occur. Why? Because before the sunset goes into effect, there will be a renewed push to extend the tax. Extension advocates often say that they simply can’t make ends meet without the continued tax, but most importantly, the extension will not increase taxes. That’s true, taxes were increased with the original passage and will stay elevated, if the extension is passed. Taxes would decrease if the extension is defeated. Once passed, it is extremely rare that an extension of an existing tax is not approved.
The ballot has another clear choice in regards to the level of integrity Albuquerqueans expect from candidates. ABQ City Council, District 6, has a candidate, Pat Davis, who was recently called out by the Albuquerque Journal for his response to a candidate questionnaire and his handling of a 2013 DWI.
Pat Davis, Candidate for ABQ City Council: “…I drank too much & drove. I accepted responsibility immediately…”
The truth is that Pat Davis’ attorney filed numerous motions (over a six month time period) fighting charges of aggravated drunken driving and following too closely. Davis also fought hard to keep his driver’s license from being suspended in a separate administrative hearing. How can Davis say he immediately accepted responsibility for a DWI arrest when public records show otherwise?
Pat Davis resigned as chairman of the Albuquerque Metro Crime Stoppers board due to the obvious ‘conflict of interest’ his 2013 DWI caused. Now he wants your vote to put him in a leadership role as an Albuquerque City Councilor.
NMBC encourages participation in all elections. Every candidate elected will have some say over your taxes and how they are spent. It’s important to understand candidates’ positions as well as ballot issues.
Here is a reminder of a few city elections:
Early Voting Underway: Albuquerque, early voting opened last week for two City Council races, a proposed tax increase for the BioPark, the City Charter and on giving the City Councilor more power . Early voting locations are open now, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays, through Oct. 2. Sample ballots and voting information can be found here.
Read more about the issues covered in this election here.
Las Cruces – The next municipal election in Las Cruces will be held Tuesday, November 3, 2015. The following seats will be up for election: Mayor, Councilor District 1, Councilor District 2, Councilor District 4 and Presiding Municipal Judge.
You must be registered to vote by October 6 – early voting begins October 7. More information can be found here.
Want to support our voter education efforts? Join the NMBC.