Heath Haussamen / NMPolitics.net
Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez (Photo by Heath Haussamen)
Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez, D-Belen, says he’s “surprised” by Gov. Bill Richardson’s veto of the food tax approved during the recent special session of the Legislature.
“Had he indicated three weeks ago that he would not support the legislation, we would have taken a different approach,” Sanchez said. “He was involved every step of the way. At no time during the special session did he raise any objections.”
Sanchez said Richardson was “very clear about what he wouldn’t support,” and that’s why the budget fix “didn’t include an income-tax increase or a requirement that all corporations pay their fair share of taxes.”
“The governor’s veto today puts the state’s financial future at even greater peril,” Sanchez said. “His approach to balancing the budget relies heavily on general fund reserves and federal stimulus money. While this may work in the short-term and carry him through the end of his term, these are one-time revenue sources.”
“Unless the economy drastically improves, the next governor will have to take action to raise recurring revenue for our state’s budget or make cuts that will impair services to New Mexicans,” he said.
The killing of the food tax came in the form of a line-item veto. Some point out that the New Mexico Constitution specifically allows line-item vetoes in “any bill appropriating money,” but this was not an appropriations bill. Sanchez appeared to reference that in his statement.
“This action is unprecedented in the state’s history,” he said of the line-item veto. “The Legislature will look at all appropriate action if it determines the governor has overstepped his veto authority.”