Gov. proposes military tax exemption

Gov. Susana Martinez is urging New Mexico lawmakers to pass legislation that will provide a 25 percent exemption on military pensions beginning in 2014, phasing into a 100 percent exemption by 2017. 

A similar proposal last year didn't make it out of the state Legislature. Martinez made the latest request Monday while visiting the Albuquerque Veterans' Memorial. 

Military retirees currently living in New Mexico are fully taxed on their pension income. The governor's office says 25 other states currently offer some sort of military retiree pension income tax exemption. 

Martinez says retirees who start second careers or businesses using highly technical skills obtained in the military often look past New Mexico when they return to civilian life.

Gov. proposes military tax exemption