Rio Rancho, NM—State Representative Jason Harper (R-Rio Rancho) announces that he will not seek re-election this November. "With tremendous gratitude to my community, colleagues, and especially my family, my time in the New Mexico House will close this year," he said.

A six-term member of the House of Representatives, Harper is most well known as an expert on tax policy and tax law, advocating for discipline in spending. He was able to make dozens of changes to improve New Mexico's tax code, such as protecting families from massive property tax increases, and businesses from "gotcha" audits.

Harper's bills are also credited with a number of wide-ranging effects, such as saving the Lottery Scholarship by keeping it permanently afloat, ensuring the public's tax dollars are returned by companies who do not keep their commitments, and preventing teachers from being punished for taking sick leave.

Other notable bills include rescuing the Severance Tax Permanent Fund, which saves each household about $1000 a year in taxes, establishing the job-creating Technology Readiness Program that helps technologies invented at New Mexico's National Labs become high-value products, and creating the Rio Grande Trail Commission, charged with developing a 500-mile trail along the Rio Grande, attracting tourism dollars.

Harper served as the Chair of the Ways & Means Committee, Chair of the Revenue Stabilization and Tax Policy committee, and Ranking Member on the Taxation and Revenue Committee.

Despite these accomplishments, Harper expressed sadness about not being able to drive major reform to the gross receipts tax and its negative impacts. If his bills had passed, Harper said that they would have created "evolutionary changes that would have been a catalyst for business growth, as well as a blessing to our families."

In the state legislature, Harper was called, "the bridge between the two parties," and he says he considers it one of his greatest compliments.

"Fighting and divisiveness are great for soundbites and ratings," he said, "but they are terrible at solving the many real problems we face. The people we represent expect us to solve problems, not stand on our desks, shout at each other, and go home."

Instead, Harper leaves this piece of advice to his colleagues, saying, "Coming to the middle, Republicans and Democrats, and working together is the only way to make meaningful change that will truly move this state forward."

In his final months of service, Harper plans to continue what he says he has enjoyed the most about his job, which is "advocating for and helping the wonderful people of my hometown—Rio Rancho."

He calls his public service "one of the greatest honors of my life," and thanks the families of Rio Rancho "for allowing me this wonderful privilege of representing your interests."

Regarding his personal plans, Harper expects "to be spending more time with my family, serving in my church, and working on critical national security projects at my job with Sandia National Labs."