Legislative Finance Committee presents recommendations

The Legislative Finance Committee has present the budget recommendations for the 2014 Legislative Session. 

Spending calls for $6.15 billion from the general fund, which is $253.5 million more than is expected to be spent in the current fiscal year. 

Budget recommendations include:

Increase in funding for early childhood initiatives to $35 million. $50 million (1.5 percent increase) for cost of living for state, public education and higher education employees; $40 million to schools and state agencies to use for such things as pay adjustments or employee rewards. 

Medicaid and Medicaid-funded behavioral health care is recommended to receive $905 million.

Legislative Finance Committee presents recommendations

Judge stops horse slaughterhouse from opening

A Santa Fe judge has extended a temporary order that prevents a Roswell horse slaughterhouse from opening.

 State District Judge Matthew Wilson made his decision to extend the temporary restraining order by 10 days after hearing arguments Friday. He has scheduled another hearing in the case for Jan. 13. 

New Mexico Attorney General Gary King is trying to block Valley Meat Co.'s planned opening this month with a lawsuit alleging the company would violate the state's food safety, water quality and unfair business practices laws. 

Valley Meat attorney Blair Dunn has argued that the state lacks jurisdiction and King is using the case to bolster his bid for governor.

Judge stops horse slaughterhouse from opening

Gov. proposes to expand tax incentives

Gov. Martinez

Gov. Susana Martinez proposes to expand economic development tax incentives aimed at encouraging investment in startup and technology companies. 

Martinez outlined the measures on Friday. The tax changes will need approval of the Legislature to take effect. One proposal expands a tax credit provided to "angel investors" who help finance new companies. The governor wants to provide up to $2 million a year in credits, up from a current $750,000 cap, and increase the individual investments that qualify for a tax break. 

Martinez also proposes to revamp existing credits for small technology companies, potentially costing the state $2 million a year. 

One change would allow firms to collect a refund for some spending on research and development if their tax credits exceed their tax liability.

Gov. proposes to expand tax incentives

H1N1 flue strain impacting the state

State health officials say a flu strain that caused the 2009 flu pandemic is causing widespread illness again in New Mexico this season. 

The New Mexico Department of Health epidemiologist Chad Smelser says the influenza strain is especially hitting children and younger adults. 

He says activity and hospitalizations for flu in Albuquerque began rising in late December. Albuquerque area hospitals reported that H1N1 is responsible for a majority of flu hospitalizations. At University of New Mexico Hospital, officials say nine patients have been hospitalized for flu since Christmas. 

David Stryker, medical director of infection control at Presbyterian Hospital, says 15 people remained hospitalized for flu on Friday. 

Information from the Associated Press. 

H1N1 flue strain impacting the state