Yesterday when NM house tax committee debated a bill to raise alcohol taxes to 25¢/drink, alcohol lobbyists urged lawmakers to take up alternate bills that would merely direct existing tax revenues to treatment & prevention. One of them (SB 61) is now being heard in Senate Tax.
The bill, sponsored by Sen. Bill Tallman, D-Abq, would divert revenues to a new Domestic Violence Victims Fund that previously went to general fund: nmlegis.gov/Legislation/Le…
Hearing webcast here: sg001-harmony.sliq.net/00293/Harmony/…
Hearing webcast here: sg001-harmony.sliq.net/00293/Harmony/…
Tallman amends the bill to add a minor tax increase for craft brewers and small wineries.
Now, committee takes supporting comments.
Lobbyist for City of Abq says this is a "very modest proposal" but would have "a substantial impact."
Now, committee takes supporting comments.
Lobbyist for City of Abq says this is a "very modest proposal" but would have "a substantial impact."
Kathy Elliott, a board member of @DVRCNM, says "we know how domestic violence and substance abuse work badly together" and says they "applaud the effort."
That's it for support. Now opposition.
Dan Weaks introduces himself as lobbyist for Bernalillo County (though notably he also represents winemakers). Says they oppose, prefers alternative bill sponsored by @jerryfornm that will be heard Thursday.
Dan Weaks introduces himself as lobbyist for Bernalillo County (though notably he also represents winemakers). Says they oppose, prefers alternative bill sponsored by @jerryfornm that will be heard Thursday.
Premier Distributing opposes. Jason Weaks, repping @NMDistillers, opposes. Randy Valverde, lobbyist for @AnheuserBusch, opposes. @NMBrewersGuild opposes. @NMChamberVoice opposes.
Many cite their support for Ortiz y Pino bill, SB 220 — clearly that is the industry preference. nmlegis.gov/Legislation/Le…
As they oppose there is much polite handwaving, various references to the "scourge upon our society" that is domestic violence and "the noble goal" of eradicating it.
Sen. Tallman makes closing remarks: "We have the highest rate of alcohol caused deaths in the U.S."
"I find it mind boggling that we haven't increased alcohol taxes in 30 years, which means with inflation these taxes are worth a third what they were..."
"I find it mind boggling that we haven't increased alcohol taxes in 30 years, which means with inflation these taxes are worth a third what they were..."
Speaking directly to his colleagues: "Everybody says...they realize we have the highest alcohol-related deaths...and they feel bad about that—but they don't want to do anything about it." He concludes, "I realize this is probably going nowhere but I find that very disappointing."
Sen. @Carrie_Hamblen, D-Las Cruces, says she is "thinking about small businesses" and this looks like "an incredible nightmare in setting up their point of sale system." Businesses will have trouble converting between volumetric units & differing alcohol content, she means?
It takes 3 votes to move on:
Motion to table: 5-5
Do-pass: 5-5
No recc: 6-4, with Shendo changing votes to "yes."
Final Nos: Brandt Griggs Kernan Sanchez
Final Yeses: Jaramillo Lopez Tallman Wirth Hamblen Shendo
Motion to table: 5-5
Do-pass: 5-5
No recc: 6-4, with Shendo changing votes to "yes."
Final Nos: Brandt Griggs Kernan Sanchez
Final Yeses: Jaramillo Lopez Tallman Wirth Hamblen Shendo
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