There is a drumbeat emanating from the Capital in Santa Fe, mostly from Democrats, but also from a few Republicans. The message is Our budget is cut to the bone.”
The refrain that New Mexico government is somehow starved for revenue may sound logical, but once you actually look at the data, it falls apart. Check out the charts below which were compiled with data from the website US Government Spending.
As the chart below shows, when it comes to state spending, New Mexico spends more as a percentage of GDP than any of its neighbors. The number is 4th-highest in the nation behind only Alaska, Hawaii, and Vermont.
Factoring local spending in to the number to get state and local spending as a percent of GDP only further illustrates New Mexico’s overspending. The Land of Enchantment is the 3rd-highest spending state (only outpaced by Alaska and Vermont) when state and local spending are calculated as a percent of GDP (see chart below).
In other words, policymakers should spare us the bloviating about NM’s budget being “cut to the bone” and just admit that they are unwilling to make needed cuts or stand up to powerful special interests and would instead prefer to stick taxpayers with the tab for their overspending.
Once again, excellent work by the RGF.
Isn’t it strange that the facts and figures reported by the RGF (which are a matter of public record) are almost never reported by New Mexico’s main stream media. It’s almost as though there is a “gentlemen’s agreement” between the media and state and local government. “Out of sight and out of mind” should be considered as a new state motto.
You got it, thanks Charles. I sent this directly to Bruce Krasnow of the New Mexican who wrote an article on it recently. He at least responded. We’ll see. It is sad that the discussion in NM doesn’t actually involve facts. Here’s Krasnow’s piece: http://nmpoliticalreport.com/151877/dems-eye-tax-reforms-to-balance-2018-budget/
I think the “track record” of New Mexicos’ dismal failure both in education and economy falls at the feet of 40 years + of Democratic control. Their chant of “tax and spend” has lead us to the present. Would it be fair to compare NM to Detroit?
Morning all: I’m for deep cuts in state employees & state Gov spending but I believe we need a $0.10 gas tax increase, dedicated to roads & bridges, creating jobs & highway safety in NM. I believe you pay for what u use. WAW
If you want more tax revenue raise the Gross Receipts tax on all including food. No exemptions! Let everyone pay not just the property owners and workers. My property taxes not only pay for a lousy educational system but for a loser train, UNM, hospitals and a flood control district I do not need. NM is the ultimate loser.