Jay Block, a New Mexico State Senate District 12 Senator, has called for public support to return funds to residents. On February 15, he said on the social media platform X that he and Senator Ant Thornton need backing from the public to achieve this goal.
"I'm honored to co-sponsor this incredible bill with my friend Senator Ant Thornton," said Block, State Senator. "We need your support to put more of your money back in your pocket. This was a campaign pledge I made to you that you wanted. Let's get it done!"
According to a post by Thornton, both he and Block have secured unanimous support from Santa Fe's Republican lawmakers to return money to taxpayers. However, Thornton cautioned that they would need to fight for it and encouraged voters to contact their local state representatives and senators in favor of Senate Bill 398.
Screenshot of State Senator Jay Block's Feb. 15 Post on X.
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Senate Bill 398, introduced by Senators Thornton, Block, Pat Boone, Steve Lanier, and David Gallegos, has attracted 42 sponsors from both the Senate and the House. The bill proposes a tax rebate of $500 for individuals filing tax returns, with an additional $500 for each dependent claimed. Married couples filing jointly would also receive $500 for their spouse. The rebate is deductible from the taxpayer’s total state income tax liability but will not be available for returns filed after May 31. Individuals who spent more than six months in public institutions during a taxable year are not eligible for the rebate.
On February 15, the New Mexico Senate GOP announced that all 16 Senate Republicans and 26 House Republicans had endorsed the bill. According to a news release, the initiative aims to return taxpayer funds from the state's $3 billion budget surplus back to residents. Block commented on this effort: "Recent trends have seen the legislature spend every dollar that comes in, all while failing to provide the results citizens have been hoping for. In response, our proposal ensures that at least a portion of these funds are not squandered but are returned to the hard-working New Mexicans who contributed them in the first place."
Block is a retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel and former Sandoval County Commissioner. In 2024, he was elected as the Republican Senator for District 12 after succeeding retired Senator Jerry Ortiz y Pino. His campaign emphasized limited government, economic reform, and veterans' issues. As County Commissioner, he sponsored a Second Amendment resolution designating Sandoval County as a "2A Sanctuary County" and played a significant role in economic development initiatives.
