Mayor Keller Vetoes Gas Tax

June 3, 2021

Today, Mayor Tim Keller vetoed a City Council proposal for a 2-cent gasoline tax initiative in the city of Albuquerque.

“The Duke City is climbing out of one of the worst economic crises in our lifetime. This is just not the time to entertain a gas tax while families and businesses are recovering from the pandemic, and when financial forecasting is uncertain. We believe in roads and infrastructure improvements and encourage the sponsors to work with the Administration on options down the road,” said Mayor Keller.

Currently, the City of Albuquerque has accelerated more than $200 million in major infrastructure projects, road repairs, and expansions as part of the Mayor’s “New Deal” style pandemic stimulus in addition to the recently passed American Recovery Plan local funding which included about $20 million for infrastructure.

Mayor Keller also cited significant legal concerns regarding the triggering of “entrenched legislation” risks due to the timing of the tax proposal. As written, the current city council may be improperly imposing limitations on the ability of a future city council, which will have at least two new members due to retirements, to take legislative action.