Nathan Bush (left), Government Relations VP for ACS CAN, was one of a number of speakers during a 2010 Lobby Day press conference in the New Mexico state capital rotunda. Survivors, volunteers, caregivers, family and friends visited their New Mexico legislators on Thursday, January 28th urging them to pass a $1.00 cigarette tax increase and to protect master Settlement Fund Agreement funding for tobacco use and prevention control programs.
State Representative Brian Egolf and State Senator Dede Feldman both spoke of their support for a cigarette tax and their sponsoring bills regarding that tax. This tax was expected to generate over $30 million in recurring revenue earmarked for public schools, reduce the number of youth who start to smoke, and relieve the health cost burden on taxpayers for tobacco related health costs.
Opposing the bill was several tobacco lobbyists and representatives from several business groups. The House Business and Industry Committee eventually voted to table the bill effectively killing it during this short 30-day session.
Despite this bill being tabled numerous volunteers and advocates helped voice their support of ACS CAN legislative priorities and programs to help hold the line despite the budget crisis New Mexico faces.
To learn more about ACS CAN contact Traci Cadigan, New Mexico government relations director, at 505-559-9426 or Paula Wackenheim, New Mexico grassroots relationship manager, at 505-262-6014.
