News New Mexico

Democrat leader proposes increase in tax refunds for TV

A Democratic legislative leader proposes to increase tax refunds available for some television production in New Mexico.

New Mexico provides a 25 percent refund on certain expenditures on film and TV production.

House Majority Whip Antonio "Moe" Maestas of Albuquerque introduced a measure Thursday to raise the tax subsidy to 30 percent for TV series that produce at least six episodes a year in New Mexico.

The state provides no more than $50 million in tax credits each year.

Under Maestas' proposal, subsidies that go unused under the cap could be carried over to the next year. That potentially makes more than $50 million available in some years.

The state paid out about $9 million in subsidies in the last budget year and $21 million so far this year.

Legalization of gay marriage passes first hurdle

A push to legalize gay marriage in New Mexico has passed its first hurdle.

The bill would let voters decide the issue of same-sex marriage, but it also states churches would not be required to recognize the same-sex marriage bill.

After hearing very different opinions and personal experiences, lawmakers decided along party lines to pass the bill, which moves it to the next committee.

Rep. Brian Egolf said he's been contacted by hundreds of people who thanked him for sponsoring the bill.

Nine states have legalized same-sex marriage, and 10 others have allowed civil unions for gay couples.

If the bill passes, legalizing gay marriage would appear on the ballot in November 2014.

PED's Hanna Skandera on News New Mexico

New Mexico Secretary designee for Education, Hanna Skandera will be in studio Thursday, January 31, 2013. The interview will last an hour and listeners are invited to send questions to ask Skandera. There is much to talk about including the success of the graduation programs which have changed the dropout rate which went from 63% to 70 percent.
If you would like to ask a question written: Join Hanna Skandera Thursday and be sure to capture the questions using email. Here is the link to ask a question:

Police stop kidnapping attempt in Roswell

From KOAT-TV.com - ROSWELL, N.M. —Roswell police said they foiled an attempted kidnapping on Monday afternoon. Police said Lorenzo Castillo, 35, pointed a gun at the victim and tried to get that person into his car. The victim was able to escape.
Officers said they found Castillo sitting on the hood of his car holding a gun. They asked him multiple times to put the gun down and shot him with a beanbag round when he didn’t, according to police. After he was detained, police discovered that the gun was a pellet gun.
Castillo was arrested and charged with aggravated assault against a household member, attempting to commit a violent felony by kidnapping and resisting, evading or obstructing an officer. Read more

Newsbreak New Mexico 5 p.m. Webcast 1/29/13

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

Listen here:

Fastbucks ordered to pay NM
Leg. expands Amber Alert
ABQ council wants changes to APD

Gov. announces job creation plan

Governor Susana Martinez outlined her plan to help New Mexico small businesses hire and train new workers Monday in a speech to local builders and business owners.

Governor Martinez detailed her plans for a new, $1000 tax credit to businesses for each job created, as well as a $4.75 million increase to the state’s existing Job Training Incentive Program, which covers part of an employee’s salary while they are receiving training from their employer.

The tax credit would be available to businesses that employ fewer than 100 workers and hire a new employee between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2014. The job must be maintained for at least two years in order for the business to qualify for the credit.

Lawmakers pass Amber Alert expansion

New Mexico lawmakers have approved a proposal backed by Republican Gov. Susana Martinez to broaden a state warning system for finding abducted children.

The House approved a measure on Monday to expand the Amber Alert system to include children abducted by a parent or other family member.

The system provides for emergency distribution of notices of a child's abduction.

The bill passed the House on a 61-2 vote and goes to the Senate for consideration.

Martinez said in a statement that with House approval of the legislation "we are now a step closer to protecting the well-being of New Mexico children who are taken by those who are supposed to care for them the most."

Virgin Galactic to start paying rent on Spaceport

Virgin Galactic says it will start paying New Mexico rent on the nearly quarter-billion dollar Spaceport the state built for Richard Branson's space tourism business, but the company is doing so under protest and without waiving its right to walk away from the project.

According to letters obtained by The Associated Press, Virgin Galactic says the state has not finished the work necessary to trigger activation of its $1 million-a-year rent. And it says if the work is not complete by March 31, it may stop paying or give notice to terminate its lease.

New Mexico Spaceport Authority Executive Director Christine Anderson says the state's obligations have been met. She has requested a meeting with the company.

The dispute comes after Virgin expressed concerns about the state's inability to attract more business to the project.

Newsbreak New Mexico 12 p.m. Webcast 1/29/13

Newsbreak New Mexico 12 pm.m Newscast with Vanessa Dabovich

Listen here:

Virgin Galactic to pay rent
Gun bill stalls in the Legislature
Dems introduce film cap bill

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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