Three gas tax bills pass first Senate committee test
SANTA FE — Three bills that would increase New Mexico’s gas tax rate cleared their first Senate committee on Wednesday, with Republicans and Democrats alike arguing the proposals would be more of a “user fee” than a tax hike.
But that argument could be far from settled, as Gov. Susana Martinez has vowed to veto any tax increase approved by the Legislature.
The state’s gas tax rate —currently set at 17 cents per gallon — has not been increased since 1993, and each of the three bills would increase the gas tax rate by 10 cents a gallon. They differ in how the additional revenue would be distributed.
Members of the Senate Corporations and Transportation Committee voted 8-0 to advance all three measures — Senate Bills 95, 131 and 132 — without recommendation. They now move on to the Senate Finance Committee. — By Dan Boyd, dboyd@abqjournal.com
ROAD SAFETY: The state Senate wants New Mexico drivers to be extra careful when they pass vehicles that are stopped on the side of the road.
A bill sponsored by Sen. James P. White, R-Albuquerque, would require drivers to slow down and move into a lane that isn’t adjacent to the stopped vehicle, if it’s safe to do so.
The rule applies when there’s a vehicle stopped on the side of the road with its emergency or hazard lights flashing.
The proposal, Senate Bill 76, now heads to the House. — Dan McKay, dmckay@abqjournal.com
“COOLING OFF”: A proposal headed for the House floor aims to slow down the “revolving door” of former lawmakers who become lobbyists.
The proposal, House Bill 73, would prohibit former lawmakers, Cabinet secretaries and other state officials from serving as paid lobbyists within two years of leaving state government.
The bill proposing the “cooling-off” period is sponsored by Reps. Jim Dines, R-Albuquerque, and Nathan Small and Joanne Ferrary, both Las Cruces Democrats. — Dan McKay, dmckay@abqjournal.com
SINKHOLE: A potential sinkhole in Carlsbad has the attention of the state House.
A bill creating an advisory board to help set policy for addressing the abandoned well — it sits under two major highways, a church and other buildings — passed the House 66-3 late Wednesday and now heads to the Senate.
“This cavity is going to collapse probably in the next five years,” said Rep. Cathrynn Brown, a Carlsbad Republican who sponsored the bill. — Dan McKay, dmckay@abqjournal.com