Dems, Gov. clash over film cap

From KOB-TV.com - By: Stuart Dyson, KOB Eyewitness News 4 -Democrats in the state legislature are on a collision course with Gov. Susana Martinez over the way taxpayers support the state's film industry.
Democrats want to get rid of the cap the Governor succeeded in putting on the state's film subsidy - it's $50 million a year - and while the Democrats say it's got to go the Republican Governor says it's got to stay.
Here's how it works: For just about every dollar you spend making a movie in New Mexico the state will give you back 25 cents. That's a sweet deal compared to film subsidies in most other states, but in 2011 the Governor convinced lawmakers to cap the total giveaway at $50 million a year. Democrats say it's time to pop that cap and grow the film industry.
"We want to convince her that removing the cap is going to be the best for the industry," said Sen. Phil Griego, who represents a far-flung district in Northern New Mexico. "It's going to send a message to the industry that New Mexico is open to the making of films."
But Gov. Martinez is sticking to her guns, saying there needs to be a limit on what the taxpayers are shelling out to the movie makers."What makes the film incentive cap so important is that it makes budgeting more predictable," Martinez said. "I'm not going to take money out of a classroom and tell kids the money is going to the film industry instead of the kids."
New Mexicans in the film industry hope to convince Martinez that lifting the cap will create more jobs in a hurry. "You put in jobs immediately," said Jon Hendry of the IATSE film technicians union. "If you want good high-paying union jobs - I emphasize union jobs - jobs with benefits - the type of jobs that you want here in New Mexico - we can have them in 90 days."
Gov. Martinez does favor allowing any unused film incentive money under the $50 million cap to be carried over into the next year's amount. Right now that does not appear to be popular with the movie people. Read more
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Gov. introduces human trafficking proposal


Human trafficking is a serious problem in New Mexico
The state became one of the last states to put strong criminal prohibitions against human trafficking in 2008 making it a third degree felony. But Gov. Susanna Martinez, ABQ Mayor Richard Berry and two state representatives held a press conference about hammering down on human traffickers during the 2013 legislative session. 
The proposals include putting human traffickers on the sex offender registry if they sexually exploit a victim, like forcing the victim into prostitution; changing felonies to second degree if the victim is 16 years old or older and to a first degree felony if the victim is 15 years old or younger; and tightening the loophole for those accused of intending to traffick humans. 
Now, someone is charged if they officially have custody of a person.


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Education coalition asks for 4% pay raises


A coalition of education group is lobbying the Legislature to provide 4 percent pay raises for teachers and other public school employees next year, a proposal that puts them at odds with Republican Gov. Susana Martinez. 
Martinez has recommended no salary increases for educators or state workers in the coming fiscal year. 
The Legislative Finance Committee has proposed 1 percent raises, costing about $18 million to fund in the state's public schools.
  The education coalition includes organizations representing school boards, administrators, parents and teachers. The groups outlined their legislative proposals to House and Senate Education committees on Friday.



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Newsbreak New Mexico 12 p.m. Webcast 1/28/13

Newsbreak New Mexico 12 p.m. Newscast with Vanessa Dabovich

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Gov. DWI proposal struck down
Mesilla considering online payment system
Talk to freeze min. wage in Santa Fe


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Legislative panel rejects Gov's DWI proposal

A legislative committee has rejected legislation backed by Gov. Susana Martinez to toughen New Mexico's penalties on repeat drunken drivers. 
One of the bills supported by the Republican governor but rejected by the Democratic-led House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee would have increased prison time for fourth and subsequent DWI convictions.
 The second bill would have effectively required DWI convictions to figure in the determination on whether a defendant is an habitual offender. 
During Thursday's hearing  opponents said that toughening penalties would add costs for the court system and prisons.

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Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce asks for min. wage feeze

Business leaders in Santa Fe are calling on the northern New Mexico city to freeze its minimum wage, now set to rise by 2 percent on March 1 under a cost-of-living adjustment. 

The Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce says higher costs imposed on businesses mean they'd have to raise prices. The chamber says that would raise the cost of living and increase unemployment while making it unlikely young people could find entry-level jobs.  
The city's minimum hourly wage will rise March 1 to $10.51 from $10.29. 
Mayor David Coss says he opposes capping the minimum wage. Coss says city residents have expressed support for it and that Santa Fe's economy is in better shape than those of other New Mexico cities.


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Newsbreak New Mexico 8 a.m. Webcast 1/28/13

Newsbreak New Mexico 8a.m. Newscast with Vanessa Dabovich

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Medicaid births in New Mexico
Illinois to issue licenses to undocumented immigrants
State improves mental health records for gun checks


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7 in 10 births in NM paid by Medicaid

Seven in 10 births in New Mexico are paid for by Medicaid.  

Recent analysis by the state Legislative Finance Committee that shows 71 percent of the nearly 27,800 babies born in New Mexico during 2010 were paid for by the state and federally funded health insurance program for the poor.
 Experts say the large number of Medicaid births reflects a slew of problems in New Mexico, such as high rates of unemployment, drug use, school dropout and teen pregnancy. 
About one in four New Mexicans is enrolled in the program.

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