Roman Catholic church denounces New Mexico food tax idea

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Santa Fe Archbishop John C. Wester speaks out against a proposed food tax in New Mexico at the Archdiocese of Santa Fe in Albuquerque on Tuesday. The proposal, part of a tax reform package, is drawing strong opposition from the Roman Catholic Church and anti-poverty groups over concerns such a plan would raise grocery prices largely on the state’s poor. Russell Contreras/The Associated Press

Posted: Tuesday, December 20, 2016 9:15 pm | Updated: 11:46 pm, Tue Dec 20, 2016.
Associated Press

ALBUQUERQUE — A proposal to reinstate a food tax in New Mexico is drawing strong opposition from the Roman Catholic Church and anti-poverty groups over concerns the plan would raise grocery prices largely on the state’s poor.

Speaking to a group of anti-poverty activists in Albuquerque, Santa Fe Archbishop John C. Wester announced Tuesday he will oppose any effort to restore a food tax in New Mexico, especially since the state with the largest percentage of Hispanics in the country remains one of the nation’s poorest.

“This ‘Tortilla Tax,’ as many have labeled it, only shifts the burden onto the poor and working families,” Wester said. “What makes this idea even more obscene is that New Mexico ranks second highest in the nation for children living in hunger and the first highest for children living in poverty.”

Rep. Jason Harper, R-Rio Rancho, said his proposed restoration of the food tax would be offset by exemptions for the poor and reductions to gross receipts taxes on sales and services. Those are components of an ambitious bill — still being drafted — to overhaul the state’s tax structure with an eye toward invigorating New Mexico’s lagging economy and employment.

http://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_news/roman-catholic-church-denounces-new-mexico-food-tax-idea/article_2526a827-86e1-576f-aa63-63a11df714da.html