It seems the Legislature is serious about tax reform in the 2023 session.

The LWVNM needs to educate ourselves about the options.so we are considering forming a subcommittee. It will require a commitment to learn about the system.

So far Renny Ashleman, Karen Wentworth, Kathy Brook and Dick Mason have expressed interest. 

Are there others?

Dick Mason

Guided by our positions 

Adopted 1971; revised 1975, 1983, 1989, 2017)

The League of Women Voters of New Mexico believes that a fair tax must be

  1. equitable, taking into consideration relevant differences between persons, such as their annual income
  2. certain, not arbitrary
  3. convenient with respect to timing and manner of payment
  4. economical to collect
  5. adequate to finance the essentials of government.

The tax system in New Mexico should be progressive. LWVNM may support taxes that are regressive if it is determined that the tax will achieve a socially desirable objective.

In evaluating the average burden of taxation within the state, taxes should be compared with income of New Mexico residents; in comparing the burden of taxation in New Mexico with the burden imposed by other states, state and local taxes should be combined.

Tax credits and/or deductions should be evaluated based on promotion of equity and the efficiency with which they achieve their purpose.

Tax credits may be a means of providing relief from the regressive nature of the sales and property tax.

The League believes it is the state's obligation to collect revenues to fund services that are generally state responsibilities, rather than depend on cities and counties to raise the funds.