Homework Blog #6

The New Mexico State Legislature has adjourned after approving the final part of a budget-balancing plan that will provide more than $230 million from tax increases. The House and Senate agreed Thursday on a proposal increasing the cigarette tax by 75 cents a pack for four years. It will raise $33 million next year. A third of the money is earmarked for pre-kindergarten and other early childhood programs for one year. The special session lasted four days. Lawmakers have approved a $5.6 billion budget and tax increases to help pay for government operations next year. Included is an eighth-cent increase in the gross receipts tax on goods and services. A tax on food, averaging about 2 percent statewide, will be reinstated starting in July. Much of this money will go towards education. With that said, do you think that increasing taxes in our state is beneficial and needed during these times? Please answer in a short paragraph.
-Noriega