Senate Minority Leader- Special Session Guessing Game

For Immediate Release Tuesday, February 23, 2010 Contact: 986-4702

Minority Leader: Special Session Revenue Info Still A “Guessing Game”
If Majority Reaches a Decision on Tax Increases Doesn’t Mean Senate Republicans Will Support it
Santa Fe—The Senate Minority Leader said it would be wiser to have a special session after the state’s first quarter revenue is known in April than to have one starting Monday, March 1 when everything will still be a “guessing game.” The Governor first announced he was calling a special session of the legislature to pass a budget to begin at noon on Wednesday, and then he changed it to begin on Monday.

“It is pure guess work at this point unless we have more accurate information. The revenue information we are dealing with is very optimistic, too optimistic. If we base a budget on the projected 6% growth in revenue we will be in trouble again if the revenue does not come in. By April, we will have a better idea of what we are dealing with,” Senate Minority Leader Stuart Ingle said. “Frankly, we should not be here for another six weeks, after the first quarter’s estimated revenue is known. But waiting until Monday for a special session is better than tomorrow because it allows for more time to work out an agreement.”

Senator Ingle said a true, accurate revenue picture is especially critical this year because the state could be in trouble financially if Federal stimulus dollars it has used in areas that require recurring money don’t return.

“We need to make sure to get the job done right, we shouldn’t fool ourselves,” Senator Ingle said. “I like to be optimistic, and I hope I am wrong, but a projected 6% growth in revenue for next year is too optimistic.”

Senator Ingle said the budget the Senate passed in the regular session that ended last Thursday is a decent budget considering the economic difficulties the state is facing. The Senate passed its version of the budget, but the House never heard the Senate’s version before the regular session ended. Senator Ingle said he is not aware of any agreements on areas of the budget the Senate and House versions differ, and acknowledged that as a member of the Minority party, he is not invited to Majority party meetings where agreements could be taking place. “Things can change pretty quickly up here, if the Majority party reaches a decision on tax increases doesn’t mean Senate Republicans will support it,” Senator Ingle said.

Senator Ingle said he does not believe the Senate will vote for an increase in the gross receipts tax that the House leadership is supporting. He said the Senate might adjust what the Senate has recommended on the food tax.