Martinez Signs Tax Relief in Santa Teresa

Susana Martinez

SANTA TERESA - Governor Susana Martinez visited Santa Teresa today to sign three key economic development bills into law, including a locomotive fuel tax exemption that will help to create approximately 3,000 jobs in New Mexico. Joined by Sen. Cynthia Nava (D-Las Cruces), Rep. Mary Helen Garcia (D-Las Cruces), Rep. Jane Powdrell-Culbert (R-Corrales), Economic Development Secretary-designate Jon Barela, and numerous other state and local officials, Governor Martinez signed Senate Bill 179 and House Bill 523, the Locomotive Fuel Tax Gross Receipts Deduction. She also signed House Bill 24, authorizing special permits for the operation of certain overweight commercial vehicles near the southern New Mexico border, and House Bill 322, granting additional powers to the Border Authority. The locomotive fuel tax exemption, sponsored by Sen. Nava and Rep. Powdrell-Culbert, will put New Mexico on par with neighboring states like Texas and will bring operational facilities currently housed in El Paso across the border to New Mexico.

It will allow for the groundbreaking of a new Union Pacific rail facility near Santa Teresa. Union Pacific estimates that the construction of the facility will create roughly 3,000 jobs over time, including 900 sustained jobs at its peak. In reference to SB 179 and HB 523, Governor Martinez said, “By eliminating New Mexico’s competitive disadvantage with neighboring states, we can create a better environment for economic growth. We must encourage businesses to invest here by implementing policies that make financial sense for job creators. This legislation is an important step toward putting our economy back on track and making New Mexico a friendlier place to do business. I’m grateful to Sen. Nava and Rep. Powdrell-Culbert for their bi-partisan leadership on this legislation and I look forward to welcoming the new jobs it will help to create.”

Martinez Signs Tax Relief in Santa Teresa