Newsbreak New Mexico 5 p.m Webcast 2/5/13

Newsbreak New Mexico 5 p.m. Newscast with Vanessa Dabovich

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NM gets grant to curb Native American fraud
Rio Rancho police dept. problems
Gov. proposes military tax exemptions 

Newsbreak New Mexico 5 p.m Webcast 2/5/13

Gov. proposes military tax exemption

Gov. Susana Martinez is urging New Mexico lawmakers to pass legislation that will provide a 25 percent exemption on military pensions beginning in 2014, phasing into a 100 percent exemption by 2017. 

A similar proposal last year didn't make it out of the state Legislature. Martinez made the latest request Monday while visiting the Albuquerque Veterans' Memorial. 

Military retirees currently living in New Mexico are fully taxed on their pension income. The governor's office says 25 other states currently offer some sort of military retiree pension income tax exemption. 

Martinez says retirees who start second careers or businesses using highly technical skills obtained in the military often look past New Mexico when they return to civilian life.

Gov. proposes military tax exemption

New bill aims to curb sale of stolen gold and silver

A bill aimed to curb the illegal sale and trade of gold and silver is taking some heat from those who work in the industry. 

The proposed law working its way through the New Mexico Legislature creates a list of rules that precious metal buyers would have to follow.  

For example, the buyer would have to photograph every item and then document the seller’s hair, gender, height, weight, complexion, and date of birth. 

The bill’s sponsor hopes the regulations would cut down on gold and silver buyers purchasing stolen goods, would those in the industry complain the bill is overly burdensome.  

The bill passed the first committee unanimously.

New bill aims to curb sale of stolen gold and silver

Newsbreak New Mexico 12 p.m. Webcast 2/5/13

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

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Gov. proposes military tax exemption
Breaking Bad bill introduced
Dems introduce pay equity bill 

Newsbreak New Mexico 12 p.m. Webcast 2/5/13

Lawmakers may reach compromise on film subsidy

Key state lawmakers are close to a compromise deal that could head off a collision with Gov. Susana Martinez over the way taxpayers subsidize New Mexico's film and TV industry.

Some Democratic lawmakers want to lift the $50 million cap on that film subsidy, but the Republican Governor wants to keep it firmly in place. 

A Possible solution is something called the "Breaking Bad" bill. 

"Breaking Bad", the wildly popular AMC show, is winding up its final season shooting in Albuquerque. The show, like other TV series’ shot in New Mexico, is eligible to get 25 cents back on practically every dollar it spends in the New Mexico economy. 

The "Breaking Bad" bill would raise that to 30 cents on every dollar for basically any other TV series shot here. 

The bill's supporters say the signals they're getting from the Governor's office are pretty positive and encouraging right now. 

Lawmakers may reach compromise on film subsidy

Democrats propose pay equity legislation

Democratic lawmakers are proposing legislation they say will expand protections against wage discrimination based on gender.

 Rep. Brian Egolf, said Monday the proposal is modeled after a 2009 federal pay equity law. 

The state legislation would allow New Mexicans to file lawsuits for wage discrimination in a state court rather than having to go to federal court. 

The New Mexico Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination based on someone's gender, but Egolf said the proposed legislation will help ensure that women are paid the same wages as men for equal work. 

Under the proposal, a worker bringing a wage discrimination claim could receive punitive damages as well as unpaid wages from the date of the violation to the time when the lawsuit was filed.

Democrats propose pay equity legislation

Newsbreak New Mexico 8 a.m. Webcast 2/5/13

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

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Griego indicted
House rejects horse slaughter proposal
Reese family re-trial

Newsbreak New Mexico 8 a.m. Webcast 2/5/13

House rejects horse slaughter proposal

New Mexico lawmakers have rejected a proposal to study the feasibility of allowing plants to slaughter horses for food. 

The measure sparked a lengthy debate Monday in the House, which voted 36-28 against the measure to have a study by the state Department of Agriculture. 

A Roswell meat company has proposed resuming horse slaughtering and sued the federal government last year over inaction on its application.  

Supporters said a slaughter plant would provide a humane way for dealing with unwanted horses and those left to starve by owners who can't afford to feed them. They said the horses could be processed to provide meat for human consumption in overseas markets. 

Opponents said a better approach is to support private programs that care for unwanted or mistreated horses.

House rejects horse slaughter proposal

Griego indicted, judge wants to prosecute as adult

Nehemiah Griego

A Bernalillo County grand jury indicted Nehemiah Griego on Monday on five counts of first-degree murder, and District Attorney Kari Brandenberg said she intends to prosecute the 15-year-old as an adult. 

Bernalillo County Sheriff Dan Houston said Griego admitted to killing his family on Jan. 19. He is accused of killing his father, the Rev. Greg Griego, his mother, Sara, and his three younger siblings, Zehania, Jael and Angelina. 

Griego is being held without bond at the Juvenile Detention Center. Griego will be arraigned in district court but the date has not been set.

Griego indicted, judge wants to prosecute as adult