Days remaining in session: 21

Governor pushes for tax change: Gov. Susana Martinez and two dozen business leaders and small-business owners urged state lawmakers Wednesday to pass a bill that would curb the practice of "pyramiding" in the state's construction industry. Businesses experience pyramiding when they are taxed on services that are then incorporated into a final product, which also is taxed.

And Martinez wants New Mexico to stop the practice.

"When one of these contractors hires an engineer for a project they are working on, they are taxed," the governor said during an early afternoon news conference. "When they pay for scaffolding, they are taxed. When they pay an architect for a project, they are taxed. When they bring in portable toilets for the work site, they are taxed. And the list goes on and on. Ultimately, that one project -- when it's finally completed -- has been layered over with tax, over tax, over tax."

Under House Bill 184, which is sponsored by Rep. David Doyle, R-Albuquerque, the following products and services would be deductible for businesses contracted for construction projects: design; architecture; construction equipment, including items such as trash containers, portable toilets and scaffolding; drafting; surveying; engineering; environmental and structural testing; security; sanitation; and services required to comply with governmental construction regulations.

Joint resolution would ban Shariah law: Sen. Rod Adair, R-Roswell, filed a joint resolution Thursday that would add a provision to the New Mexico Constitution to prohibit Shariah law. Generally, Shariah, or Islamic law, influences the legal code in most Muslim countries, according to the Council on Foreign Relations. But there is disagreement among Muslims over what exactly Shariah entails, with various groups such as modernists, traditionalists and fundamentalists holding different views.

The joint resolution would, in effect, prevent courts from considering or using Shariah law in rendering rulings in cases.

Oklahoma voters overwhelmingly approved a similar amendment in 2010, but federal courts have recently stepped in to say the amendment is likely unconstitutional.

When asked Wednesday about the legislation's chances in the New Mexico Legislature, Adair said, "I don't know. I want to make a good-faith effort."

If the legislation passes both chambers, which seems unlikely, it would go to New Mexico's voters this November.

Looking ahead: On Thursday, the mother and two sisters of an Albuquerque man whose wife was convicted recently for his death back in 2002 -- after his remains were unearthed outside his home -- will attend a Senate committee hearing on a bill that would remove the statute of limitations for certain crimes that result in a death. Senate Bill 37 is sponsored by Sen. William Payne, R-Albuquerque, and will be heard in Senate Public Affairs.

• The Santa Fe Community Convention Center will host the Governor's Prayer Breakfast on Thursday. The event, which is by invitation only, starts at 7 a.m. with coffee. Breakfast and the program start at 7:30 a.m.

• La Fonda will host the Grant County Prospectors Legislative Reception at 5:30 p.m. Thursday. The event is by invitation only.

• The Eldorado Hotel will host two events Thursday: the invitation-only McKinley-Gallup Day at the Legislature at 6:30 p.m.; and a Las Vegas Night at the Legislature reception from 6 to 9 p.m.

• Thursday is CNM (Central New Mexico Community College) Day and Drug Court Day at the Legislature.

• On Friday, Feb. 3, Habitat for Humanity will announce the completion of the 600th home in New Mexico during a special commemoration ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda.

ON OUR WEBSITE

Follow legislative coverage at www.santafenewmexican.com/legislature.
Read Steve Terrell's blog, www.roundhouseroundup.com and Kate Nash's blog, www.greenchilechatter.com.
Subscribe to our updates on Twitter at www.twitter.com/thenewmexican.