New Mexico special session for Tesla eyed

Tesla Roadster

NewsNM: Swickard - So far none of the "Green" energy projects anywhere in our nation has made any money. Be careful New Mexico with the enthusiasm for Tesla since battery cars are still just an expensive fad. It would be better to get proven manufacturers to move to New Mexico. 
     From KOAT-TV.com - ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. —New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez says a legislative special session to help the state win a Tesla Motors facility is a possibility.New Mexico is one of four states that Tesla's Fremont, Calif., assembly plant has identified as finalists for a battery factory. Others are Arizona, Nevada and Texas.
     According to the Albuquerque Journal, Martinez says her office is evaluating whether a special session is necessary to complete a package of economic incentives being crafted to help make New Mexico more appealing to Tesla.
     Martinez wouldn't discuss details of the negotiations with Tesla, but she said New Mexico is in the running for the project in part because of taxation changes that the state has made. She made her comments Monday after she made a speech in Albuquerque. More

New Mexico special session for Tesla eyed

State to study Amtrak future

New Mexico plans to study whether to help pay part of the cost of keeping Amtrak's Southwest Chief on its current route. 

A state budget signed by Republican Gov. Susana Martinez allocates $50,000 to the Legislative Council Service to study a proposal by Amtrak for New Mexico, Colorado and Kansas to share the costs of maintaining and improving more than 600 miles of track through their states. 

John Yaeger of the Legislative Council Service said legal issues will be considered as well as the costs and economic benefits of the proposal. Details of the study are still being worked out. 

Amtrak has suggested the three states share maintenance costs with it and Burlington Northern Santa Fe, which owns the track. Each would provide about $4 million annually for a decade.

Information from The AP. 

State to study Amtrak future

Fire in Lea County

A fire broke out in Lea County along Highway 508 Monday. 

The fire is estimated to be between 8,000 and 10,000 acres in size and has moved into Roosevelt County. 

Though it is actively burning, the burn has slowed because of cooler evening temperatures and lighter winds.  It is burning in the open prairie, and no structures are threatened at this time.

Today is expected to be windy. In the area of the Lea County fire, winds will reach at least 20 mph by the afternoon. 

Again, with winds slowing down during the overnight hours, the blaze isn't expected to grow very much.

Fire in Lea County

NM unemployment rate remains unchanged

New Mexico's unemployment rate remained virtually unchanged in January at 6.6 percent.  

The state Workforce Solutions Department said Monday that the unemployment rate in January was down from 6.9 percent a year ago. The state agency says jobs have shrunk by 0.5 percent, a loss of 3,700 over the year. State officials say seven industries lost jobs, four added employment and two remain unchanged. 

The largest employment gains were reported in the mining industry, which added 1,700 jobs since January 2013. Retail trade added 1,200 jobs while the financial activities industry added 1,100 jobs and construction added 500 jobs. 

Government employment reported the largest jobs decrease at 3,200 jobs while manufacturing declined by 1,500 jobs. 

Information from The AP. 

NM unemployment rate remains unchanged