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Mark served as a State Senator in the N.M. Citizen Legislature from 1997-2012, when he decided not to seek re-election. During his tenure Senator Mark Boitano spoke to over a hundred community, civic, political and advocacy groups, schools and neighborhood associations.
Additionally, he has been interviewed numerous times by the print and broadcast media on various issues and responded to thousands of constituent inquiries. Some of his best ideas for legislation came from people like you!
By scrolling down, you can read various news stories about Senator Mark Boitano, some of his newspaper editorials, browse excerpts from speeches Mark has given, and review his comments to constituents on various legislative issues.
To view Sen. Mark Boitano's legislative website for bills he has introduced, including capital projects for schools, neighborhood parks and quality of life projects like Explora, etc.: Click Here
Senator Mark Boitano in the News --
What? No Mark Boitano Public Building? -- See Video
10-Years of Charter Schools in N.M., from KOB's "Eye on New Mexico" -- See Video
Open Government - Legislature to Webcast Sessions? -- Read More
Legislators Endorse Family Friendly Jury Duty -- Read More
Hispanic Education Act Discriminates Against Non-Hispanic Students -- Read More
Lobbyists and Friends in High Places -- More
From the Fatherhood and Marriage Leadership Institute -- More
Rail Runner to Lose Millions -- More
Marriage Classes? From the UNM Daily Lobo -- More
Can Divorce Be the Exception Not the Rule? -- More
High School Competency Exam - Totally Incompetent -- More
Public School Reform - Now! More
Promoting Financial Literacy - More
Parents and Students Demand School Choice -- More
Spearheading Coalitions on Important Issues --More
Honors and Awards --
"Champion for Charters," National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, 2011.
"Distinguished Service Award," N.M. Coalition for Charter Schools, for sponsorship of the 1999 Charter School Act and school choice leadership, 2012
"Leadership Award," Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, 1999 and 2001
"Distinguished Service," N.M. Coalition of Healthy Families, 2012
N.M. Mortgage Lenders Association, for work on housing and lending issues, including licensing for mortgage lenders, 2007
"Business Star," Association of Commerce and Industry
"Distinguished Contribution to N.M. Families Award," N.M. Association of Marriage and Family Therapy, 2003
Budget Bulldog Award, Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, 2010
Small Businesses Need Help, Too -- Op-Ed, Albuquerque Journal Being your own boss is part of the American Dream but our tax policies make that incredibly difficult in New Mexico. Thom Cole’s recent UpFront Article reports head scratching regarding Governor Martinez’s proposals, HB 189/SB 260, to remove the gross receipts tax on small businesses making under $50,000. How will this create jobs, preserve them, or help the economy? We’ll discuss that momentarily. The bigger problem is that this economy has produced daily head scratching – what’s the future for real estate, public pensions, the Euro? We’ve learned many lessons from the Great Recession. One is that we can’t use the past to predict the future. Today’s technology, demographics, and global competition have changed forecasting forever. Mark Lautman from the Albuquerque based Community Economics Lab says, “A daunting array of economic and demographic conditions including fewer job prospects, increasing tax and regulatory uncertainty, a dysfunctional commercial banking system, and a growing skills-job mismatch dramatically reduces the return on investment for traditional job creation.“ New Mexico has lost loads of jobs. The state reports 60,897 unemployed, plus contractors ineligible for unemployment and those who’ve stopped looking for work. In an eye-opening report, UNM economist Dr. Lee Reynis estimates we could lose 20,000 jobs due to Washington downsizing, plus thousands more service related jobs. New jobs will come from traditional sources like health care, manufacturing, and construction. Economic developers like Lautman are estimating a significant and increasing percentage of new jobs will come from solo entrepreneurs and small companies. We have various incentives for large companies but what are we doing to help small business? Under these proposals, a business making up to $50,000/year would not pay a gross receipts tax on their goods or services – this totals 7% in Bernalillo County. So, a small business would have $3,500/year or nearly $300/mo. to invest in technology, marketing or supplies. This would be a boost to the economy. This tax cut will encourage new business startups and it’s an incentive for consultants, artists, and medical transcribers in other states to relocate their existing businesses. This includes many semi-retirees who are working longer and are contemplating a move to live and work. One of the bright spots in this economy is historically low interest rates. Those fortunate enough to qualify for a new home loan or refinance, or a loan to purchase a vehicle or business equipment have seen interest rates that are extraordinarily low. Unfortunately, the door to these new loans is shut to many small businesses because of how their income is reported. A tax savings of 7% would be an offset to this. There are around 56,000 solo entrepreneurs and small businesses facing numerous additional financial and reporting hardships:
Small businesses are fast growing, green and require less infrastructure than traditional economic based jobs. Removing the gross receipts tax for businesses making $50,000 or less would create and maintain jobs, stimulate the economy, and reduce reporting complexity. Although our revenue estimates change regularly, we have sufficient dollars to support additional public employee, criminal justice and Medicaid spending, plus add to our reserves. There are many things to scratch our heads about in this economy, but finding compelling reasons to support HB 189/SB 260 is not one of them. ------------------------------------------------------------ Sen. Mark Boitano is the ranking member of the Senate Corporations and Transportation Committee which deals with many of the business issues.
Public Buildings Shouldn't Be a 24/7 Billboard For Sitting Policitians -- Op-Ed, Albuquerque Journal There has been much discussion recently about naming public buildings after elected officials. A wise man once said, “Excellence is in the details, give attention to the details and excellence will come.” In a political climate when balancing the budget, creating jobs, and improving education necessarily occupy center stage, managing the smaller details of governing – like building name policies – can help restore public confidence in government and elected officials. |
Property Tax Policy Needs Renovating -- Op-Ed, Albuquerque Journal |
School Choice Editorial from the Albuquerque Tribune |
No Knot? That's Hot! Published in the Albuquerque Tribune |
Editorial in the Albuquerque Journal Supporting Increased Math and Science Graduation Requirements |
Rough Notes from Speech to Teenager of the Year Dinner sponsored by the Optimist Club |
Rough Notes from Panel “Religion, Civil Rights and Individual Liberty” at the TVI Main Campus |