N.M. Taxes

[Lucias_Clay]

Hey Kay I heard that New Mexico is lowering it's taxes. Is that just property taxes or all of them?:confused:

[kayofcircles]

Not likely..the property taxes, that is. No, we've had a tax on food for years, and they're discussing whether or not to get rid of the grocery tax. It's one of those political things that they promise to do during elections, and seldom actually occur. And although it would be nice to get rid of grocery tax, they'd probably have to raise other taxes to compensate for the loss of revenue. We're a very very poor state, and think our Medicaid program has gone broke for the last two years. And with the national economy as shaky as it is, doubt if good time for lowering any taxes.

[YODA74]

Political ploy is right..if your rich they lower taxes if your mid or lower income your going to pay just as much as you do now..And lowering the taxes for the rich DOES NOT help any aconomy it just helps the rich get richer..
All they ever do is give credit if you have children which is another flubber..(can of worms):(

[kayofcircles]

Actually, Yoda, we're gonna get a bit back from IRS for the first time in many years. Although it has always ticked me off to write IRS a check, I am conflicted seriously this time about not writing a check..lol Never let it be said that I am not contrary. But, it still seems to me that at a time when the government has gone deep into the hole again, and some "hope" to go even deeper..less revenue is not a good thing.

[YODA74]

Glad your getting some back Kay..I just don't trust nor do i like the irs to me there just a bunch of communists.When the economy is in such a slump and you have polititions voting themselves a raise I completely loose intrest in any form of Gov.

SOCIAL SECURITY: (This is worth the read. It's short and to the point.)

Perhaps we are asking the wrong questions during election years. Our

Senators and Congressmen do not pay into Social Security and, of course, they do not collect from it. Social Security benefits were
not suitable for persons of their rare elevation in society. They felt
they should have a special plan for themselves. Many years ago they voted in their own benefit plan. In more recent years, no congress
person has felt the need to change it. After all, it is a great plan.
For all practical purposes their plan works like this. When they
retire, they continue to draw the same pay until they die, except it may increase from time to time for cost of living adjustments. For
example, former senate majority leader Trent Lott, and Congressman Tom
DeLay and their wives may expect to draw $7,800,000.00 (that's Seven
Million, Eight-Hundred Thousand), with their wives drawing
$275,000.00 during the last years of their lives. This is calculated
on an average life span for each. Their cost for this excellent plan is
$00.00. Nada. Zilch. This little perk they voted for themselves
is free to them. You and I pick up the tab for this plan.
The funds for this fine retirement plan come directly from the General
Funds--our tax dollars at work! From our own Social
Security Plan, which you and I pay (or have paid) into--every payday
until we retire (which amount is matched by our employer)--we
can expect to get an average $1,000 per mon the after retirement. Or,
in other words, we would have to collect our average of $1,000. monthly
benefits for 68 years and one (l) month to equal Lott's benefits!
Social Security could be very good if only one small change were made.
And that change would be to jerk the Golden Fleece Retirement Plan from
under the Senators and Congressmen. Put them into the Social Security
plan with the rest of us and then watch how fast they would fix it.

I have had a bout with the IRS over $17.00 damn dollars and they threatened to take my house and lock me up so I told them to go ahead and that they would have one hell of a gun battle on there hands. Becouse as soon as I flip my flag upside down that there would be more people here armed and ready that they would have to call the Army out to put a halt to the devistation.I have yet to hear from them and this was 10 years ago...
So when people say well you can vote them out that is bull there is just another politition lying to you to take their place...
I have no faith in this gov. and am very willing to take them on at any cost to human life.. sorry if maybe i get a little radical this is just my ranting but a lot of people here will and do snub the gov. and the IRS for there nonsence and are willing to do what needs to be done..at any cost.:D

[kayofcircles]

As long as we're just chatting here..lol..I will mention that our refunds (IRS and state) will go to pay for a 73% increase in our homeowner's insurance. I called..I mean, geez!..and they said that increase due to bad stock market investments, and therefore company has to make up for lost profits from that. Reminded me of the NM state workers pension fund. Heard recently on the news that the state workers pension fund has lost millions of dollars in the last year on stock market investments, but that the fund is guaranteed by the state, and taxpayers will replace any losses in the pension fund. Cushy, huh? Told husband maybe he should consider working for the state of NM, rather than a small company which provides no pension fund whatsoever. :(

Not gonna get in dispute over guns and government, but reminded of me what happened to Edgar in Men In Black. Be careful, and let us know if you need reinforcements because we too live in area with some pretty radical types..lol

And this not even on point, but what do I change in BIOS to slow this new keyboard down? Every time I hit the backspace (oops) key, it backs up about six letters! Annoying.

[ZURKE]

VERY WELL said Yoda. I'll be looking for your flag.

[david eaton]

Kay. in response to your off-topic question.

It's in the BIOS, typematic rate setting is what you want; if it's award Bios it is in the BIOS features screen.

David

[Lucias_Clay]

Yes Kay I used to live in New Mexico, of course that has been some 20yrs. ago. Here in Mississippi we also are a very poor state and am hearing rumors of tax increases through the tourisom tax. Whether or not this is the right time for a tax cut, I believe is up for debate, now is the perfect time for tax cuts across the board. Tax cuts allow people to spend more and pay bills instead of filling bankruptcy which in the end costs us all more. The problem is not the amount of taxes raised but how the money is spent. The town in which I live is a small town(only 22,938 in the entire county with almost half being under 18 or older than 65) A few years ago the city council without a vote by the citzens bought an old Wal-mart building with the intent of using it for a civic center they paid well over a million dollars for the building alone. Then discovered it would cost 4-5 million(a conservative estimate) more for the renovations and there would not be nearly enough parking.They ended up selling the building at a loss they never would say exactly how much due to agreements with the buyers. They are now trying to get a public golf course which they have gauranteed to support to the tune of a million dollars a year for at least 3 years untill it begins to make money(if it ever does).
Untill we get our local,state and federal governments to spend our money more wisely it will never be a good time for tax cuts.

[Budfred]

Kay,

I get home insurance from Amica, they are very highly rated and I don't think my rates have changed for years. They may be a little higher at first, but worth it if there is a problem. (And no, I don't work for Amica or even remotely in the insurance field).

[Fruss Tray Ted]

Freakin' IRS is a pain. I'd never had an issue with them, even once they sent me more due to my error!

But for the last 2 years I can't seem to get things straight with them. i am going to have to resort to $hiring$ outside notary capable CPA help just to get my due back! I will NEVER,,, EVER,,, use their freakin system as a holding place for something like an automatic savings account EVER again!

It's not like my 'state' is anything but poor also...

Those that claim less dependents than neccessary during the year then expect their money back at the end of the year better take notice!!! Once it's in their hands it is sure hard to get it back when in an audit!

(url rather than post a pic 'per my style' is due to respect for my country)
http://www.stanley2002.org/Images/upsdFlag.gif

They can have my guns only 1 way: Hot, empty and barrel first!

Edit
Kay,
98SE, go to Start> Settings> Control Panel> Keyboard> play with settings there.../edit

[kayofcircles]

Thanks, Budfred..will keep it in mind, but suspect I am too lazy. Been with State Farm for over 20 years, and several times over the years thought an increase was outrageous and I would call around and ask for estimates..and end up staying with State Farm. But you guys might check on your homeowners or car insurance..I save out for a 10% increase but not for an increase as large as this, so unwelcome to say the least.

Saw a discussion of state problems on PBS yesterday, and one problem with all states in the US is gonna be that the feds are going so far into the hole that they're passing it along to the states. Said that one federal program that used to match 1 state dollar with 3 federal dollars is now to 1 state to 1 federal. And our new governor is practicing the creative budgeting where you say "We'll probably make a lot more tax money on the new businesses that arrive in the state, so it's okay to spend the extra money now." Eer? Like me saying, "It's okay to spend a bunch more money now than we have or can get from our jobs because we are gonna win the lottery!" Yeah...sure.

Here's a good "rebel" issue. We have a severe drought going here, and didn't get as much rain/snow as we needed this winter. There are politicians in the state government who want to "appropriate" all water. They say that all water in the state belongs to the state..nevermind those pesky water right things. They want to put meters on every well in the state, at the owner's expense, and then charge for the water. My beloved is slow to rile up, but he says they better be willing to pay for the well, and the pump, and the water rights before they do that.

Thanks too for keyboard tips..will check both places today.

[YODA74]

They say that all water in the state belongs to the state

Wow kay ya'll need to get on the ball with that one..
no one own's water it is impossable all they can own is the land surrounding the water!!!!!

If a person had the money and or a helicoptor if a pond or body of water was inacessable by land ownership then all you would have to do is drop a boat or raft from the air into the water "without touching the land" and there isn't a thing they can do unless it was a man made resovoir...
Also kay tell them to look at your land deed if i am not mistaking i believe it says something about mineral rights ie you bought the land YOU own what is on or in the ground and said parimeters..

God what are they going to try next selling air
Said it once before and will mention it again.

There is a storm brewing in this country and it isn't far off...

Sorry i have to stick with the origonal 13 "which is representative of the original concepts of our Constitution and Bill of Rights. The "law of the land"

[Lucias_Clay]

Kay there is an ambiguous law in New Mexico covering natural surface water belonging to the public"The unappropriated water of every natural stream, perennial or torrential, within the state of New Mexico, is hereby declared to belong to the public and to be subject to appropriation for beneficial use, in accordance with the laws of the state. Priority of appropriation shall give the better right." But I could find no such law pertaining to underground water, except he natural mineral rights laws. However in such drought conditions they probably would just claim 'eminent domain' however I doubt it would ever get tgrough the courts,even in a liberal state like New Mexico.

[YODA74]

However in such drought conditions they probably would just claim 'eminent domain'

not on private land I think the cattlemans association would have a fit on that.I personally am going to make a few phone calls to find out what this is about becouse I do not think this would fly anywhere
do they think people are just going to go along with this kind of nonsence???Liberal state or not land grabbing will not get it in any situation. If this is what there going to do are the people there that lame to just follow this like sheep?? It never used to be that way there..

[kayofcircles]

Don't worry..Yoda. I believe that Lucias is right..it's not going get through the courts because obviously a clear violation of property rights, and goes against hundreds of years of titles/deeds. Would cause a mess that would last forever. Part of our problem here is that years and years ago, the powers that be (or were!) thought was good idea to "sell" water to Texas in some long term contract..like 50 years or something. Okay, they had the "extra" water then, but New Mexico has grown like everywhere else, and is now in drought, and they can't wiggle out of that contract..so NM still has to deliver so much water to Texas via the Rio Grande..and the current powers that be are looking for water to steal..lol. And ABQ emptied it's underground aquifer (sp?) and wants river water..etc.

Another piece of rural New Mexico trivia. Was reading a newsletter from our electric co-op yesterday. To "make life easier for our members" they plan to install new electric meters that a computer can "read" from the central office so that we no longer have to read our meter each month. Here comes the part I am intrigued by..after new fancy meter installed, it says, "You may notice some fluctuation in your bill due to the change out. This may be due to the number of days in the billing cycle or because your old meter was running slower than it should." Eer?? New meters run faster? hhmmm..sounds a bit suspicious. Husband says we'll be calling about that part, maybe, because our "old" meter is only 5 years old..so not that old.

[YODA74]

This may be due to the number of days in the billing cycle or because your old meter was running slower than it should." Eer?? New meters run faster?

He HEH
There just grabbin at all sorts of straws aren't they.. Not really a way to entice buisness into the state now is it? Pretty much seems like there driving buisness away?:D

[Lucias_Clay]

First about eminent domain a couple of years ago Nissan decided to build a plant here in Mississippi so the state (bought) land from citizens for pretty much under market value, some of this land had been in the families for generations.And they took over twice as much land as Nissan actually needed because in the deal they(Nissan) required a buffer zone. Court battles insued but of course the state won.

Second the electric company several years ago we moved to another town our electric bills were running over $100.00 a month in the winter with gas heat, and we never leave lights on. after a few months we got a bill for $250.00 They said they change rates twice a year and would average the bills during this time. I explained that I did not live there the previous year and after several more calls and almost a month(and my promise not to pay it) thay finally agreed to read my meter Then I recieved my new bill about $25.00:p

[YODA74]

Lucias_Clay you were percistant that is what it takes to snap them back, electric co. has more excuses than Carter used to have peanuts.

as far as eminent domain they can stick that where the sun don't shine that crap doesn't cut it here.This is Gaston county NC.were talking a pretty radical county here.we don't give two poops what the gov. says about to much.:D kinda like the "Don't tread on me" they don't call this the Tarheel state for nuthin.We dig are heels in were in it for the long run.