SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 2

47th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first special session, 2005

INTRODUCED BY

Joseph J. Carraro

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THAT THE NEW MEXICO CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION SUPPORT SUSPENSION OF FEDERAL GASOLINE TAXES.

     WHEREAS, gasoline prices have skyrocketed in the aftermath of recent weather disasters; and

     WHEREAS, gasoline prices have increased by almost a dollar per gallon from one year ago; and

     WHEREAS, record increases in the price of gasoline at the pump are unlikely to decline in the foreseeable future after the closure of oil refineries in the gulf of Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, working people in New Mexico have limited transportation options and rely heavily on their automobiles to earn a living; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexicans are among the poorest people in the nation, and most of them cannot absorb the rising costs of gasoline without sinking further into poverty; and

     WHEREAS, federal gasoline taxes can comprise almost one-third of the cost of a gallon of gasoline; and

     WHEREAS, several proposals for suspending the federal gas tax have surfaced in Washington, D.C., but have not been acted upon; and

     WHEREAS, the people need and deserve some help in paying their high gasoline transportation costs;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that New Mexico's congressional delegation be urged to suspend the federal gasoline tax to alleviate the undue burden currently weighing down good New Mexico working people and voters; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the members of the New Mexico congressional delegation.

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