The Roundhouse in Santa Fe (Photo by Heath Haussamen)
As a lifelong resident of New Mexico and a small business owner, I believe in necessary community programs and services such as police and fire protection, public education and roads – and I am more than willing to pay my fair share to fund them.
It is unfortunate that many out-of-state corporations do not feel or do the same. Many of these corporations take advantage of a corporate tax loophole that allows them to avoid paying their fair share for these services. Not only is this unfair, but it also puts locally-owned businesses such as mine at a disadvantage.
Let’s be clear. Out-of-state corporations need all the same community services to do business that my company does – as mentioned before, roads, police and fire protection, as well as an educated workforce, and customers with enough disposable income to spend money.
The difference is that local business owners such as myself help pay for these necessary community services. Not all out-of-state corporations do. As a result, they can offer their goods and services at a lower rate, putting small businesses such as mine at a tremendous economic disadvantage.
Governor Martinez mentioned the importance of supporting the business community in her state of the state speech. However, I find it disturbing that she avoided talking about this tax loophole and other corporate tax giveaways.
In her address she said:
“It’s the small businesses, the mom and pop shops, the small start-ups, that get lost in the layers of red tape. We will help them, and in doing so send a loud and clear message that New Mexico is open for businesses.”
Actually, governor, my business has been open for 40 years. So, if you are sincerely committed to supporting “mom and pop shops,” you would level the playing field and require that all businesses in New Mexico pay their fair share.
The resources to lobby
I think it is also important to acknowledge that these large, out-of-state corporations have the resources to lobby the Legislature and the governor and to be part of the policy-making process – all while I am busy running my business, trying to make payroll first, then trying to make ends meet. As a result, it is their interests that are being represented in Santa Fe. Obvious? Yes. Fair? I think not.
I have had enough. While I don’t have money to hire a high-paid lobbyist, nor do I have personal relationships with politicians, I do have my voice. I will continue to use my voice to spread the word. My friends, family and fellow small business owner colleagues statewide are learning more about this issue.
Like me, they are not happy. I truly hope that legislators and the governor will keep this in mind as they debate this very important issue.
In closing, it is also important to note that the hard work of our policymakers and administrators does not go unnoticed. However, again, it is my hope that they will consider all sides of this issue.
Mixon is the owner of Romero Jewelers in Albuquerque.