THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
1.TRUMP ECONOMY - NEW MEXICANS BENEFIT FROM STRONG EMPLOYMENT GROWTH
Under President Trump’s leadership, the economy continues to thrive. New Mexico job growth in 2019 rose to 2.4 percent. Just another example of PROMISES MADE, PROMISES KEPT!
From the Albuquerque Journal:
New Mexico outpaced the national job growth rate on a per capita basis based on data recently posted by the U.S. Department of Labor and the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions.
The state’s total nonagricultural employment over the year rose by 20,100 jobs, or 2.4 percent compared to a national job growth rate of 1.4 percent, Workforce Solutions officials said in a news release.
The private sector accounted for a majority of the gains, 17,700 jobs, or 2.4 percent, which placed New Mexico at No. 6 in growth jointly with Alabama, Arizona, and Texas for over the year not seasonally adjusted private sector growth, up from 2.0 percent in August...
The leisure and hospitality sectors posted the largest increase in employment, with a gain of 7,200 jobs, or 7.3 percent, Workforce Solutions said.
Other sectors with significant increases were construction industry — up 4,700 jobs, or 10 percent — and professional and business services, which increased by 2,400 jobs or 2.2 percent, officials said.
2. MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION PLAN INTRODUCED BY PANEL APPOINTED BY GOV. LUJAN GRISHAM
Last week a task force appointed by Gov. Lujan Grisham released a proposal to legalize cannabis in New Mexico. The plan has several parallels to the 2019 legislation that failed in the Senate Finance committee. The Republican Party of New Mexico opposes the legalization of recreational marijuana. The societal impact on marijuana legalization is still being evaluated in other states and we cannot disregard the effects legalization could have on families and our children’s future.
From the Associated Press:
A proposal unveiled Wednesday for legal marijuana sales throughout New Mexico would use taxes to subsidize medical pot purchases for low-income patients and set aside money for police and loans to cannabis startup companies.
A panel appointed by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, a Democrat, published recommendations for legalization that take cues from other states that regulate recreational marijuana markets.
The proposal would prohibit local governments from banning marijuana sales, though they could apply restrictions on business hours and locations, said Albuquerque City Councilor Pat Davis, who led the governor’s task force on legalization.
The provision is aimed at curbing illicit markets and keeping marijuana shoppers from traveling long distances.
The recommendations will now go to the Legislature for consideration…
Medical marijuana is currently taxed on average at 7% but would become tax-free under the legalization proposal. Millions of dollars would be set aside to subsidize cannabis for low-income patients with qualifying medical conditions such as cancer, post-traumatic stress disorder or chronic pain…
The recommendations would continue the state’s prohibition on growing marijuana at home without a specialized medical authorization, while decriminalizing minor violations. The task force endorsed automatic expungement of past cannabis possession convictions.
3. OTHER NEW MEXICO NEWS BRIEFS
Voters could lower taxes, but at what cost? There is more than election of local officials on this year’s ballot; there’s also bond issues in just about every county. Be mindful of all bonds on ballots because they could raise your taxes.
NM moving toward same-day voter registration The upcoming general local elections are on Nov. 5. New Mexico has recently approved same-day voter registration measures and it is important to be up-to-date on the changes.
Charges modified in New Mexico state senator’s DWI case The drunken-driving case of Democrat state Sen. Richard Martinez gets elevated to an aggravated DWI.