Tax hikes?

But group says all other options must be explored

Chamber of Commerce says tax increases could be necessary as it releases its legislative wish list

A major business group says it’s willing to consider tax increases as a way out of New Mexico’s current budget crisis, though only as a last resort.

The Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce’s annual legislative agenda outlines a number of familiar positions, emphasizing measures it says will promote economic development, education and public safety. But the second page of the five-page document released late Friday acknowledges that it could be open to the prospect of raising taxes.

“NOTE: The Chamber will entertain a discussion regarding tax increases after all other options have been exhausted, including identifying greater efficiency in government, right-sizing government and closing tax loopholes,” the agenda says.

Such a statement is unprecedented, said Terri Cole, the chamber’s longtime president and CEO. She said the chamber has always opposed any tax increase. But the state is facing a projected $69 million deficit for the current fiscal year and more problems in the next.

“The budget is in dire shape both for (fiscal year) ’17 and FY ’18,” Cole said. “The conversations are going to be very difficult.”

But before any talk of raising taxes begins, the chamber would promote such measures as reducing state agency spending and combining some departments. The chamber also opposes “targeted or acrossthe-board” compensation increases for state employees.

While the budget looms large, the chamber supports maintaining $50 million for the Local Economic Development Act fund, an incentive program used to lure companies to New Mexico, $2 million in base funding for the Job Training Incentive Program and $10 million in additional appropriations.

“I think the biggest risk to the business community in this session is that we leave it retreating from the progress that has been made, progress in our economic development strategies and progress in our education reform strategies and public safety strategies,” Cole said.

Some of the other measures the chamber supports are:

Legislative intervention “to address (Albuquerque Public Schools’) perennial low graduation rates.”

Suspending driver’s licenses for habitually truant high school students.

Eliminating the lodgers’ tax exemption for those who rent through the likes of Airbnb.

Allowing juries to impose the death penalty in some cases, such as for people convicted of murdering children.

Measures the chamber would oppose are:

Reinstatement of gross-receipts tax on food. A moratorium on charter schools. Setting the minimum wage via constitutional amendment.

Marijuana legalization.