State of New Mexico secondary Archives: on Tax Reform


Ben Ray Lujan: Voted against 2017 tax cuts as fiscally irresponsible

Q: Support administration's $1.9 trillion (2017) tax cuts?

Ben Ray Lujan: No. Voted against the tax cuts as "an example of fiscal irresponsibility [that] is skewed against American families."

Mark Ronchetti: No position found. Against government implementing "higher taxes and reaching deeper into our lives."

Source: CampusElect survey of 2020 New Mexico Senate race Sep 30, 2020

Mark Ronchetti: Against government raising taxes & reaching into our lives

TAXES - Support administration's $1.9 trillion (2017) tax cuts?

Mark Ronchetti: No position found. Against government implementing "higher taxes and reaching deeper into our lives."

Ben Ray Lujan: No. Voted against the tax cuts as "an example of fiscal irresponsibility [that] is skewed against American families."

Source: CampusElect survey of 2020 New Mexico Senate race Sep 30, 2020

Gavin Clarkson: Pass payroll tax cut, make permanent full expensing

Q: What actions to restore the economy do you feel Congress should take?

CLARKSON: Pass payroll tax cut; make permanent 2017 TCJA's full expensing of business investments and fix "Retail Glitch;" suspend or reduce federal regulations and paperwork requirements; suspend penalties for regulatory violations where person made good faith effort to comply; require Congress to vote up or down on regulations that impose costs.

Source: Albuquerque Journal on 2020 New Mexico Senate race Jun 14, 2020

Bob Walsh: Lower taxes for the middle class

Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Higher taxes on the wealthy"?

A: Strongly oppose. Support lower taxes for the middle class

Source: OnTheIssues interview for 2020 New Mexico race May 1, 2020

Martin Heinrich: Trump tax cuts do little for working families

Q: Taxes: Support President Trump's tax cuts?

Martin Heinrich (D): No. Does little for working families.

Gary Johnson (L): Yes. But should have also cut spending.

Mick Rich (R): Yes. "Stimulated investment & job creation.

Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on New Mexico Senate race Oct 9, 2018

Michelle Lujan-Grisham: Trump tax cuts reward the wealthy & special interests

Q: Support President Trump's tax cuts?

Michelle Lujan-Grisham (D): No. They resemble failed past policies that "reward the wealthiest people & special interests, while adding as much as $1.5 trillion to our national debt."

Steve Pearce (R): Yes. Will "give a shot in the arm to all manufacturers, & small businesses will be able to become a little more stable."

Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on New Mexico Governor race Oct 9, 2018

Mick Rich: Trump tax cuts stimulated investment & job creation

Q: Taxes: Support President Trump's tax cuts?

Martin Heinrich (D): No. Does little for working families.

Gary Johnson (L): Yes. But should have also cut spending.

Mick Rich (R): Yes. "Stimulated investment & job creation.

Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on New Mexico Senate race Oct 9, 2018

Jeff Apodaca: Invest $1.4B from NM Permanent Fund in jobs plan

Jeff Apodaca also supports investing in small businesses. He said his jobs plan will create 225,000 new jobs for the state. That plan includes investing in industries like agriculture, technology and renewable energy. He also said he wants to increase training in trade skills.

Apodaca said he wants to use $1.4 billion of New Mexico's permanent funds to help accomplish that. "All we're asking as governor, I'm going to take 5% of your money, it's New Mexico's money and we're going to invest it back into New Mexico. We're not going to spend it, we're not going to dip it and take it out, we're just going to invest it, they're investment funds," Apodaca said. "So all we're saying is let's invest it into our cities, our states, our small businesses. 95% of our economy is small business. In fact we do nothing in our state to help small business. We penalize small business. We overtax them, we overburden them, and then there's no private capital."

Source: KRWG TV on 2018 New Mexico governor debate Feb 9, 2018

Mick Rich: Support Trump tax bill; 80% get a pay cut

Mick Rich called Heinrich's votes partisan, putting the political agendas ahead of the needs of the people. "This is a guy who voted against the tax bill," Rich said. "I'm looking at this and say it looks good to me. I'm hearing corporations are handing out nice bonuses to people. Source: Carlsbad Current-Argus on 2018 New Mexico Senate race Jan 19, 2018

Mick Rich: No need for businesses to make decisions based on taxes

We need a complete overhaul of our tax system to make it fair, simple, and honest. We must lower taxes for both working people and businesses. Our current corporate tax rates discourage companies from making their products in America, at the expense of American jobs. Our tax laws are such a burden that business owners make decisions on the basis of taxes, not good economic sense. That's got to change--now.
Source: 2018 New Mexico campaign website MickRichForSenate.com Jan 18, 2018

Jeff Apodaca: Failed to pay property taxes for eight consecutive years

Jeff Apodaca failed to pay his property taxes for eight consecutive years--accumulating nearly $15,300 in back taxes that didn't get paid until he sold the vacant lot in Las Campanas last year.

Apodaca, who acquired the 2.68-acre parcel in 2004, also racked up a number of liens for delinquent subdivision assessments and fees and unpaid utilities. His communications director acknowledged Apodaca didn't pay his property taxes for years but said that it happened amid a dispute over the value of the land. "When the market crashed, the county of Santa Fe continued to raise property taxes on those properties," he said. "Many people disputed with the County to assign a property tax that reflected what the property was worth after the market crashed." Apodaca paid everything in full "once the county reflected the proper appraised value of the property."

Records show Apodaca paid the property taxes in full from 2005-07. But starting in 2008, Apodaca failed to pay the taxes on the property.

Source: Las Cruces Sun-News on 2018 New Mexico governor race Nov 29, 2017

Mick Rich: Low taxes creates job opportunities

We need a complete overhaul of our tax system to make it fair, simple, and honest. We must lower taxes for both working people and businesses. Our current corporate tax rates discourage companies from making their products in America, at the expense of American jobs. Our tax laws are such a burden that business owners make decisions on the basis of taxes, not good economic sense. That's got to change--now.
Source: 2018 New Mexico Senate website MickRichForSenate.com Aug 8, 2017

Gary King: AdWatch: Attacked for voting for 1987 tax hike

Gov. Susana Martinez's campaign hits Democrat Gary King with a new TV attack ads, this one blasting King for voting for "the biggest tax increase in history." It's similar to a mailer that was sent last week. Not the history of New Mexico, mind you, but, according to the ad, the biggest tax increase in history! This was in 1987.

The ad is kind of comical though. It's got light-hearted music and at one point, King ("the King") can be heard chuckling. It sounds like an actual recording of the King's laugh. And yes, the Democratic candidate is shown in a crown. Here's the transcript:

Source: Santa Fe New Mexican on 2014 New Mexico gubernatorial race Aug 6, 2014

Susana Martinez: NM is not under-taxed. revenue enhancements vetoed

We must remember that the long-term solution to our budget woes is economic growth. We increase revenue by helping small businesses create new jobs--not by government creating new taxes. Let me speak plainly: New Mexicans are not under-taxed. The government has simply over-spent.

I applaud the Legislative Finance Committee for putting forth a budget proposal that doesn't include tax increases and doesn't try to raid the permanent fund. Unfortunately, some are still pushing tax hikes: Doubling the tax when you buy a car. Taxing job creators. Even taxing the Internet. To make them sound better, some call them "revenue enhancements." They can be called many things but they will all be vetoed.

I've long said that government doesn't create jobs. Government creates the environment where small businesses can create those jobs. We must recognize that in a global economy, businesses will choose to locate and expand in areas that encourage--not impede--job growth.

Source: 2011 New Mexico State of the State Address Jan 18, 2011

Bill Richardson: Any tax increase must expire in 3 years or less

As we look to raise revenue to help us through this crisis, I will only support a temporary revenue increase that automatically expires in 3 years or less. I will oppose any tax increase that hurts our efforts to keep the state economically competitive and create new jobs--such as:
Source: New Mexico 2010 State of the State Address Jan 19, 2010

Bill Richardson: Continue to cut taxes and reform the tax code

We must continue to cut taxes, reform the tax code and invest in infrastructure by fully implementing the personal income tax cuts. I will also pursue targeted tax reform initiatives, including tax credits for creating high-wage jobs and technology start-ups. Let’s cut the tax on food & the tax on medical services. I promise to work with you to find a way to pay for these cuts, but let’s get it done now to help improve the quality of life for all New Mexicans, especially those who need it the most.
Source: 2004 State of the State speech to the New Mexico Legislature Jan 20, 2004

Bob Graham: Repeal Bush tax cuts that went to top earners

Q: Let’s talk about the economy.

GRAHAM: What we should do? One, we should repeal all of the portions of the Bush tax cuts of 2001 and 2003, which went primarily to the upper incomes. Number two, we should use a portion of that money to give a tax break to middle-income Americans by reducing the tax on the payrolls. That’s a place where money actually will be spent, used and energize the economy. Third, we should have an interstate-like program to rebuild America.

Source: Democratic Primary Debate, Albuquerque New Mexico Sep 4, 2003

Howard Dean: People would rather health care than a tax cut

[On paying for healthcare]: We are going to repeal the Bush tax cuts. You can’t pay for health insurance if you have those tax cuts. Most middle-class people never got a tax cut from George Bush, and I’m sure they’d rather have health insurance for everybody than the $100 they got from George Bush’s tax cut. For less than a third of George Bush’s tax cuts, we can cover every man, woman and child in America, and that’s exactly what we should do, and we should not wait.
Source: Democratic Primary Debate, Albuquerque New Mexico Sep 4, 2003

John Edwards: Tax cuts to working people-stop Bush’s War On Work

To get this economy going again [we need to] crack down on corporate cheating so that business actually works for employees. And we need to stop President Bush’s war on work. We need to stop these tax cuts for multi-millionaires who invest, and instead give tax cuts to working people to help them buy a house, to help them educate their kids, to help them get health care, to help them save. That’s the kind of tax cut that’s going to actually help middle class working families.
Source: Democratic Primary Debate, Albuquerque New Mexico Sep 4, 2003

  • The above quotations are from State of New Mexico Politicians: secondary Archives.
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2020 Presidential contenders on Tax Reform:
  Democrats running for President:
Sen.Michael Bennet (D-CO)
V.P.Joe Biden (D-DE)
Mayor Mike Bloomberg (I-NYC)
Gov.Steve Bullock (D-MT)
Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D-IN)
Sen.Cory Booker (D-NJ)
Secy.Julian Castro (D-TX)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Rep.John Delaney (D-MD)
Rep.Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI)
Sen.Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
Gov.Deval Patrick (D-MA)
Sen.Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
CEO Tom Steyer (D-CA)
Sen.Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)
Marianne Williamson (D-CA)
CEO Andrew Yang (D-NY)

2020 Third Party Candidates:
Rep.Justin Amash (L-MI)
CEO Don Blankenship (C-WV)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Howie Hawkins (G-NY)
Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM)
Howard Schultz(I-WA)
Gov.Jesse Ventura (I-MN) 		Republicans running for President:
Sen.Ted Cruz(R-TX)
Gov.Larry Hogan (R-MD)
Gov.John Kasich(R-OH)
V.P.Mike Pence(R-IN)
Gov.Mark Sanford (R-SC)
Pres.Donald Trump(R-NY)
Rep.Joe Walsh (R-IL)
Gov.Bill Weld(R-MA & L-NY)

2020 Withdrawn Democratic Candidates:
Sen.Stacey Abrams (D-GA)
Mayor Bill de Blasio (D-NYC)
Sen.Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
Sen.Mike Gravel (D-AK)
Sen.Kamala Harris (D-CA)
Gov.John Hickenlooper (D-CO)
Gov.Jay Inslee (D-WA)
Mayor Wayne Messam (D-FL)
Rep.Seth Moulton (D-MA)
Rep.Beto O`Rourke (D-TX)
Rep.Tim Ryan (D-CA)
Adm.Joe Sestak (D-PA)
Rep.Eric Swalwell (D-CA)
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