Guest Blog: Worst Time for a TIDD

This is a guest blog by Greg Lennes of Las Cruces:

Our state legislature should stand up for New Mexicans and be fiscally responsible. The Roundhouse is being manipulated by the highly paid and skilled SunCal and Westland lobbyists: Mark Fleisher, Arthur Hill, Allison Kuper, Dick Minzer, Robert Rivera, Marla Shoats, Joseph Thompson, Daniel Weaks, Vanessa Alarid and William Steadman. We don’t need to assist developers by giving Westland Development a bailout with a $408 million bond issue related to an unnecessary Tax Increment Development District (TIDD). SunCal had 20 bankruptcies in California. We should not tie up state money for 28 years with these companies. During this country’s economic crisis, the state legislature should address the needs of the hard-pressed and struggling New Mexican taxpayers.

Let's support a common sense piece of legislation introduced by State Senator Steve Fischmann – SB 576 – that would limit TIDD revenue to only those taxes from businesses that are 100% new to New Mexico (either relocating from out-of-state or start-ups). I can't give you a campaign contribution like SunCal, but I believe Senator Fischmann's legislation is right for New Mexico.

Also see our earlier post today on this topic. SB 576 is scheduled to be heard in the Senate Finance Committee this afternoon. If you'd like to submit a piece for consideration as a guest blog, contact me by clicking on the "Email Me" link on the upper left-hand corner of the page.