Today is "Feed America Day"

As we noted yesterday through a release from the Democratic Party of New Mexico's Chairman, Javier Gonzales, the state party is fully supporting and encouraging all New Mexicans to donate what they can to their friends and neighbors across the state.

Links to charitable organizations can be found below:

Road Runner Food Bank -- Albuquerque
The Food Depot -- Santa Fe
ECHO, Inc. -- Farmington
The Community Pantry -- Gallup
Community Action Agency of Southern New Mexico -- Las Cruces
Food Bank of Eastern New Mexico -- Clovis
The Salvation Army Southeastern New Mexico Food Bank -- Hobbs

While we are encouraged by the outpouring of support we have witnessed already due to this event, we are troubled that one of the proposals being considered to narrow the budget gap is a gross receipts food tax.

According to the report, before the food tax was repealed in 2004, average New Mexican families were paying $225 per year on food tax alone. With the economy already challenging us on a daily basis and many New Mexicans out of work, taxing essentials such as food would put even more strain on budgets.

The news of this proposal comes on the heels of a report which states that taxes in New Mexico are already regressive -- meaning that the poorest New Mexicans are taxed disproportionally to their income.

Taking food off the table is never a good choice, and while we're not opposed to tightening our belts, it shouldn't be because we can't afford to purchase food.