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REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP STATEMENT

ON SPECIAL SESSION BUDGET VOTE

SANTA FE – Following the late night floor vote of House Bill 2, the budget bill, House Republican Leadership issued the following statement:

“Going into the wee hours of the morning, the House of Representatives finally voted on a budget. Some will say that this budget is balanced, but it is not,” commented Representative Tom Taylor, House Republican Leader. “We started off the session with the budget having a $230 million deficit and still have a budget with a $230 million deficit even after the vote early this morning. Clearly some folks are not interested in truly solving our budget problems.”

“House Republicans introduced a series of amendments that came to a total of over $350 million plus in budget savings to the state of New Mexico, with no negative impact to education,” said Representative Keith Gardner, House Republican Whip. “Unfortunately many members of the House are more interested in massive government spending and balancing the budget on the backs of hard working New Mexicans instead of real solutions to our budget problems. Massive overspending is what got us into this problem in the first place, and we continue to do so with this budget.”

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                                                 The House passed the budget.  WHAT NEXT?

Santa Fe – Upon the passage of the FY2011 New Mexico State Budget (HB2), Rep. Tom Taylor (San Juan) and Rep. Keith Gardner (Chaves, Eddy, Lea, Roosevelt) issued the following statements.
 
“It is irresponsible for the House to pass the budget with a $310 million deficit built in. It is even more irresponsible to address that reduction through tax increases to New Mexico’s hardworking families.  This session, Republicans introduced numerous measures to cut costs to taxpayers and unfortunately all of them were voted down by Democrats,” said Republican Leader Tom Taylor. 
 
“To compound the problem, there are a lot of temporary dollars in this bill.  Temporary tax increases are burdensome because they are tax increases that later go away and leave government thirsty.  They are also burdensome because they add a variable to the landscape and make it more difficult for individuals, families, and businesses to plan.  For someone who looks beyond the tip of their nose, it is clear that the legislature is going to have to revisit these same issues next year unless we solve this problem now,” Taylor continued. 
 
“We entered this session with a $200 million defecit and in a little under a month it has grown to $310 million.  Fortunately, there is still time to fix this problem.  We are only done with the first half of the budget process,” said House Republican Whip Keith Gardner.  “As the budget bill moves to the Senate, we are counting on our colleagues there pick up the torch of budget savings and responsible fiscal policy.  We must avoid raising taxes and instead make careful spending cuts.”
 
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Declaring February 5, 2010 as Oil and Gas Industry Day at the House of Representatives

WHEREAS, the oil and gas industry is a backbone industry for the state of New Mexico; and

WHEREAS, the industry is the largest civilian employer in the state; and

WHEREAS, oil and gas pipeline miles exceeds the combined mileage of all New Mexico railroads and highways; and

WHEREAS, New Mexico ranks fourth in the nation in crude oil reserves and second in the nation in natural gas reserves; and

WHEREAS, New Mexico ranks sixth in the nation in crude oil production and second in the nation in natural gas production; and

WHEREAS, the state receives numerous taxes, royalties, and revenues from the oil and gas industry each year; and

WHEREAS, the oil and gas industry has supported education through royalties paid into the land grant permanent fund; and

WHEREAS, a strong and thriving oil and gas industry in New Mexico helps to fund the state’s educational system, roads, public facilities, economy, and other institutions;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that February 5, 2010 be declared “Oil and Gas Industry Day” at the house of representatives; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that heartfelt gratitude be extended to the members of the oil and gas industry throughout the state for their numerous contributions to the state of New Mexico.

website:http://www.nmhousegop.com/                                                   twitter: http://www.twitter.com/nmhousegop

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                                               CONTACT:
February 3, 2010                                                                                      (505) 216-6342

*** Media Availability ***

New Mexico House Republicans

WHAT:      Republican House Representatives will be available for comment regarding the FY2011 budget and their strategy for the second half of the 49^th New Mexico Legislative Session.

WHEN:      Wednesday, February 3, 2010 - Immediately following the vote on the FY2011 budget (HB2)

WHERE:    Interested media should call (505) 216-6342 or visit the Republican House Leadership Office, Room 125, The Roundhouse, to request interviews with specific Republican House Representatives. The leadership office will locate representatives and connect them with inquiring reporters.  Representatives will be available for phone and in-person interviews.

DETAILS:     All electronic, print, radio, and TV media are welcome to attend.  No advance notice is necessary.

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