McKinley County Democrats

New Mexico – Under Governor Martinez, New Mexico falls to the bottom of another list of best states for business for fifth consecutive  year. Today, Forbes released their list of Best States for Business, New Mexico ranked 47^th out of 50 despite Governor Martinez’s political posturing promoting a failed Republican economic agenda. The article specifically cites a “weak labor supply and lousy current economic climate.”

“It’s obvious that Republican policies under Governor Susana Martinez failed—New Mexico remains at the bottom of the list for businesses, and our families have yet to feel the economic boon the Governor promised,” said Richard Ellenberg, Chair of the Democratic Party of New Mexico. “But we have an opportunity to change course and elect a Democratic governor next year so New Mexicans can have the opportunity to get ahead.”

Under the current Republican policies, New Mexico has seen damaging budget deficits, a drop in credit rating, and the highest unemployment in the country. Earlier year, Hulu sited a need for “larger labor pool” as the reason for choosing to create jobs in a different city. In spite of this, Republican Governor Martinez vetoed higher education funding for every college and university in the state, limiting the state’s ability to create a larger labor pool.

Currently, Republican Steve Pearce is running on the same economic agenda that failed to provide a stable economic footing for New Mexico families. Just this month, Pearce voted in favor of the GOP Tax Plan that would force New Mexicans to pay for tax cuts for the very wealthy and large corporations.

New Mexico – Shortly after the U.S. Senate voted on the GOP tax proposal that would ultimately give huge tax breaks to the country’s top earners while increasing taxes for working families, the Democratic Party of New Mexico released the following statement thanking U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich for defending New Mexico families and voting against the GOP Tax Scam.

“It’s no question that we all want a simpler tax code, but the Republicans in Congress have time and again put their political ideology ahead of our families. Their proposal would cost New Mexico millions of dollars and increase taxes for New Mexicans across the state. We’re grateful to have Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich fighting for a fair tax code that would help New Mexico families get ahead,” said Richard Ellenberg, Chair of the Democratic Party of New Mexico.

Last week, the only Republican in New Mexico’s congressional delegation Steve Pearce in favor of the GOP tax scam that would give his well-connected friends a tax break while forcing New Mexicans to foot the bill.

Specifically, the GOP Tax Scam gives multi-million dollar tax giveaways to the wealthiest and corporate America, while destroying key tax benefits for New Mexico families including:

• Dismantling the State and Local Tax Deduction – imposing an unfair double tax on New Mexico families, driving down home values, and endangering local governments’ ability to fund law enforcement, schools, and health services.
• Eliminating Student Loan Interest Deduction & Lifetime Learning Credits – destroying a key deduction for young graduates and workers getting the job training they need to succeed in the 21^st century economy.
• Eliminating Deduction for Classroom Supplies – forcing teachers who provide students with books, pens, and pencils to pay from their pocket without relief.
•  Eliminating Medical Expense Deduction – destroying a key deduction claimed by nearly 9 million American households, which helps families with children with disabilities, long-term care needs, a need for expensive fertility treatments, and many others.
• Imposing New Limit on Mortgage Interest Deduction – assaulting the dream of home ownership for many New Mexicans.

New Mexico – Today, the Democratic Party of New Mexico called on Steve Pearce to denounce the President for using a racial slur during a ceremony honoring Navajo Code Talkers. Democratic members of the congressional delegation, the President of the Navajo Nation, and the families of the Navajo Code Talkers have all expressed disgust with President Trump’s derogatory use of the name Pocahontas–Steve Pearce remains silent on the issue.

“It is an insult to the Code Talkers to use a racial slur during a ceremony in their honor. Steve Pearce wants to be the governor of our great state, but he refuses to stand up for our communities. It’s clear the Steve Pearce is more concerned about his friend Donald Trump than the Navajo Code Talkers who served our country honorably and the many Native American families who call New Mexico home,” said Richard Ellenberg, Chair of the Democratic Party of New Mexico.

Last year, during President Trump’s campaign against people of color, he took to calling Elizabeth Warren ‘Pocahontas’, and even then Steve Pearce refused to comment on then-candidate Trump’s use of the name as an insult. Moreover, a report published today, Pearce’s office refused to comment on Trump’s use of a racial slur when asked directly.

The Navajo Code Talkers played a pivotal role in World War II using Diné to conduct military operations and protect strategic intelligence from being decoded by enemy forces.

Pearce Votes to Give His Well-connected Friends a Tax Break while New Mexicans Foot the Bill

New Mexico – Today, the Democratic Party of New Mexico slammed Congressman Steve Pearce for his support of the GOP tax scam that would give his well-connected friends a tax break while forcing New Mexicans to foot the bill. Pearce, who is also running for the Republican nomination for governor, voted for HR 1 a bill that would give tax breaks to the wealthiest while taking important benefits away from everyday New Mexicans.

“Pearce’s support for the Republican tax scam is deplorable. While Pearce and his friends benefit from huge tax scams, New Mexico teachers will be forced to pay for classroom supplies without relief, families with dreams of owning a home will have fewer options, students will be burdened, and everyday New Mexicans will have fewer programs. Pearce’s decision to support the GOP tax is an indication of how he’ll govern–New Mexico doesn’t need someone with poor judgment in the Governor’s office,” said Richard Ellenberg, Chair of the Democratic Party of New Mexico. 

Specifically, the GOP tax scam gives multi-trillion dollar tax giveaways to the wealthiest and corporate America, while destroying key tax benefits for New Mexico families, including:

• Dismantling the State and Local Tax Deduction – imposing an unfair double tax on New Mexico families, driving down home values, and endangering local governments’ ability to fund law enforcement, schools, and health services.
• Eliminates Student Loan Interest Deduction & Lifetime Learning Credits – destroying a key deduction for young graduates and workers getting the job training they need to succeed in the 21^st century economy.
• Eliminates Deduction for Classroom Supplies – forcing teachers who provide students with books, pens, and pencils​ ​​to pay from their pocket without relief.
• Eliminates Medical Expense Deduction – destroying a key deduction claimed by nearly 9 million American households, which helps families with children with disabilities, long-term care needs, a need for expensive fertility treatments, and many others.
• Imposes New Limit on Mortgage Interest Deduction – assaulting the dream of​ ​homeownershipfor many New Mexicans.

An updated analysis by the non-partisan Tax Policy Center, released on November 13, found that the Republican bill coming to the House Floor will raise taxes on a staggering 36 million households across the country.

New Mexico – Today, the Democratic Party of New Mexico Chair Richard Ellenberg released the following statement honoring Native American Heritage Month:

“This month is a time to celebrate the rich and diverse culture, traditions, histories and knowledge that our Native communities have contributed to our state. As Democrats, we’re committed to ensuring tribal sovereignty is realized  and that all our members have a better understanding of the needs and issues facing our native communities.”

New Mexico is home to 23 federally recognized tribes–nineteen Pueblos, three Apache tribes, and the Navajo Nation. These communities enrich New Mexico’s diverse culture and contribute to the state’s economy.