THE HEAD OF THE NEW MEXICO LEGISLATURE'S SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE SAYS HE HOPES CONGRESS GIVES FINAL APPROVAL TO A BILL ALLOWING STATES TO TAX ONLINE PURCHASES. JOHN ARTHUR SMITH OF DEMING TELLS 770 KKOB ALLOWING INTERNET SALES TO GO UNTAXED ISN'T FAIR TO BUSINESSES THAT HAVE A PHYSICAL PRESENCE IN THE STATE. HE SAYS THOSE ARE THE 6 TO 7 PERCENT DISADVANTAGED BRICK AND MORTAR BUSINESSES IN NEW MEXICO, COMPARED TO OUTSIDE PURCHASES, WHERE THEY'RE NOT IMPOSING THE TAX.
THE SENATE PASSED THE INTERNET SALES TAX BILL MONDAY. SMITH SAYS IF IT GETS FINAL APPROVAL, IT WOULD MEAN AN EXTRA 100-MILLION DOLLARS IN REVENUE FOR NEW MEXICO EVERY YEAR.
