The proposed New Mexico video game tax was defeated and is no longer a threat! This is an important victory for our community and the Video Game Voters Network.
Last week, VGVN members in New Mexico sent letters to their state legislators to denounce the proposed bill that subjected video game purchases to an additional tax. Thanks in part to the swift action of New Mexico members, the New Mexico House Business and Industry Committee rejected the bill on a 9-0 vote. Many New Mexico legislators had never heard a constituent defend video games. By taking this step, members across the country can actively participate in defending future legislation.
The Sierra Club of New Mexico supported a video games tax to fund a government campaign to promote outdoor education for children. Adam Thierer, senior fellow at the Progress & Freedom Foundation, disagrees with such a tax. In an editorial on CNET.com, he wrote "legislators shouldn't be using the tax code to play the role of nanny for our kids. It is the responsibility and right of parents to determine how their kids are raised."
Proposed laws, like the one in New Mexico, put the fight for video games in perspective. We must continually remind our elected officials that as voters, gamers, developers, and parents, we will not support video games being singled out and treated differently than movies, books and television. When we do stand up and fight, we win.
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