By Roz Brown, Public News Service – NM
Dec. 26, 2018
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Nearly 90 percent of New Mexico residents who are likely to vote in 2020 oppose reinstatement of a tax on food.
Renewal of the tax has been discussed by some interim legislative committees ahead of next month’s session. Lawmakers previously have argued that reinstating the tax on food would allow reduction of the overall tax rate and make the state more attractive to businesses.
But a poll conducted in early December showed opposition was up nearly 10 points from a similar poll conducted in 2015. New Mexico has one of the highest rates of child poverty and food insecurity in the nation, and James Jimenez, executive director with New Mexico Voices for Children, said taxing food could make it worse.
“This is really a backward step,” Jimenez said. “And we’re really disappointed it’s even being entertained as a matter of discussion because it simply doesn’t make sense given New Mexico’s historic poverty levels.”
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