Two-term Democrat Governor of New Mexico Bill Richardson wants a major tax boost before his time is up.

From the AP (via NewsMax):

Gov. Bill Richardson on Tuesday proposed a $200 million tax increase — which he called temporary — to shore up state finances and balance next year's budget.

The tax proposal was part of $300 million in additional revenues that Richardson factored into his budget recommendations to the Legislature.

That adds up to: nearly $389 million in spending increases on programs.

Richadson says he wants the dollars to go to "public education and general government programs."

One of the revenue boosters that's being considered is raising the motor vehicle registration fees. Another proposal being bandied about is a tax on groceries.

Meanwhile, liberal special interests groups in Santa Fe are calling for raising taxes on tobacco, alcohol, and junk food.

One voice in contrast to all those anxious to raise taxes is coming from the free market think tank, Rio Grande Foundation. According to the New Mexico Independent:

Paul Gessing, of the Rio Grande Foundation, however, wrote that there was no reason to raise taxes on anyone to solve the state’s budget crisis.

“Some of the spending decisions made over the years have made the situation more difficult than it needs to be,” Gessing wrote. “That said, in no particular order, I’d start out by forming a commission to thoroughly analyze the budget for wasteful and unnecessary programs.”