Issue Summary
In late 2001, with the release of our fourth policy report, Think New Mexico launched a campaign to repeal New Mexico's food tax.
At that time, New Mexico was one of only nine states that continued to fully tax food, along with Mississippi, Alabama, and West Virginia. This antiquated tax is regressive, anti-family, and has worsened the state's hunger problem.
Our bipartisan legislation to abolish the food tax came extremely close to passing in the 2002 legislative session, but ran out of time at the very end of the session. In 2004, Think New Mexico teamed up with Governor Bill Richardson and House Speaker Ben Lujan to champion a successful bill to repeal the taxes on both groceries and selected medical services.
As of January 1, 2005, food is exempt from taxation in New Mexico.
Resources & Media
|
Think New Mexico's policy report on repealing the food tax |
Coalition in Support of the Food Tax Repeal
Update: Stateline Article on food tax repeal efforts in other states
Santa Fe New Mexican Editorial on the implementation of the food tax repeal • January 5, 2005
Think New Mexico's opinion editorial on repealing the food tax • January 2003
Santa Fe New Mexican Editorial on the food tax repeal • November 4, 2001
Get Involved
Thank Your Legislators
During the 2004 legislative session, Think New Mexico supporters sent dozens of messages to their legislators urging them to support the food tax repeal, and legislators responded by putting in long hours to ensure that the food tax repeal bill was successful.
Messages from constituents are the key to winning lasting policy reform.
Click here to thank your legislators for repealing the food tax - you can compose and send emails or letters to them directly from Think New Mexico's Action Center.
Vocal public support of abolishing the food tax played a big part in making it happen.
Legislators and the Governor were attentive and responsive to the many letters to the editor that called for an end to the food tax.
We encourage you to express your support for the recent repeal of New Mexico's food tax through the media, as well as directly to your representatives.
The Media section of Think New Mexico's Action Center provides the names and contact information for your local media, including newspapers, radio stations, and television stations, and you can compose and send any of them an email or letter right from the page.
Think New Mexico
1227 Paseo de Peralta • Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501
Phone: (505) 992-1315 • Fax: (505) 992-1314 • Email: info@thinknewmexico.org
Website Design © 2005 by Think New Mexico