Lodger's tax legislation awaits governor's pen
Republican Gov. Susana Martinez is considering whether to approve Democrat-backed legislation that would free up counties in the state to collect lodgers taxes on more short-term vacation rentals, such as those offered on popular hospitality websites like Airbnb.
Two nearly identical bills that passed both chambers of the Legislature with bipartisan support would allow counties to tax property owners who offer fewer than three rooms in a home as short-term rentals. A provision in state law now exempts vendors from paying the tax if they have only one or two rooms for rent for less than a month.
The governor so far has stood by a pledge not to increase taxes, even as she and state lawmakers have wrangled with a budget crisis. The lodgers tax legislation is an example of Democrats, who control the Legislature, proposing new revenues by subjecting more residents and businesses to an existing tax rather than raising tax rates or imposing new taxes.
Asked whether Martinez would sign the lodgers tax legislation, spokesman Michael Lonergan said in an email Friday, “As with any legislation, the Governor will take a close look before acting.”
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