Cote Urges Legislative Participation
Alamogordo Daily News
By Duane Barbati, Staff Writer
Posted: 08/06/2009
Cote, D-District 53, spoke to the group about the Legislature's review of the state's tax policy, the importance
of citizens attending legislative committee meetings, energy policy and revising the Motor Vehicle Division code.
Cote said the Legislature may need to conduct a special legislative session.
"People may have realized that there's less in the general fund bank account," he said. "We're waiting for the first quarter numbers to come in. Our revenue comes from a number of sources."
Cote said many of the state's revenue sources are down.
"We get it from oil and gas industry in severance taxes," he said. "We also get it from gross receipts taxes, personal income taxes and other fees. When they go down, the forecasting we have in the budget is not accurate. It's difficult to get those numbers accurate in current times."
Cote said he wants his constituents to be aware of the review of the tax codes.
"We're going to be reviewing the tax policy this summer," he said. "It's a very important part of our revenue. If we're giving a certain number of credits or exemptions, we want to take a look at them. We want to make sure we have a good and fair tax base."
Cote said he believes it will benefit everyone in the state.
"We want to make sure that tax credits or exemptions passed 10 years ago are still valid today," he said. "Are we getting our best bang for our dollar without burdening the taxpayer?" Cote said every citizen of New Mexico has the opportunity to attend legislative committee meetings.
"I think it's important for citizens to connect with their legislator in that way," he said. "It's a good way for them to do it. I get my best advice from them."
Cote said the MVD will be reporting back to the Legislature at the end of the summer.
"They'll be reporting back to us with a whole new MVD code," he said.
Cote said he wanted the audience to know about the gambit of energy options for the state.
"When we're talking about energy, we're talking about renewable energy such as nuclear, biodiesel and algae," Cote said. "I think if Europe can build very efficient, high-mileage diesel engines, it's part of the equation."
He said he believes the state education Web site, Innovative Digital Education and Learning New Mexico, is money well spent.
"It's expensive, but we've already paid for most of it," Cote said. "It's already up and running. It's going to, in the long run, save the state money."
He said a state education employee can go online for mandatory conferences.
"They can take the courses online," Cote said. "Anyone from the lowest level of education to college education level can take courses."
IDEALNM is a statewide electronic online learning system that encompasses all aspects of learning from traditional public and higher education environments to teacher professional development, continuing education and workforce education.
"We're a bit ahead of the game with this program," Cote said. "It's already implemented online. It's going to help many people."
The Democratic Party of Otero County meets at 6 p.m. the first Tuesday of every month at Sunset Run Restaurant at 54 McDonald Road. The next DPOC meeting is 6 p.m. Sept. 1.
