Contact: Erika Martinez
(505)986-4819
Erika.Martinez@nmlegis.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 12, 2014
Democrat Senators Respond to Biased Editorial
Keller & Candelaria Continue Call for Transparency & Action on Tesla
Santa Fe, NM – Following a call to the Governor by Senators Tim Keller (D-17-Bernalillo) and Jacob Candelaria (D-26-Bernalillo) to work with legislators in an effort of lure Tesla’s battery gigafactory, the Albuquerque Journal published an editorial deflecting attention from the Governor’s inaction on the issue. But both senate leaders agree that above all the rhetoric, a balanced approach of responsible incentives and an aggressive legislation package is the right course of action for New Mexico in order to have a chance at winning Tesla.
In response to the attempt to tarnish and misconstrue the efforts of Sen. Keller and Sen. Candelaria to demand action, transparency and cooperation, Sen. Keller released the following statement:
We’ve always supported a balanced approach using responsible incentives to protect taxpayers while creating 6,000 needed jobs in New Mexico. We are confident that if other states are doing the same, and our Governor stands behind closed doors, doing little to compete with other states, that we will miss out on this great opportunity. We believe that incentives should be based on post-performance and have clawback provisions, thus providing security for New Mexico taxpayers. These types of incentives would proactively promote great opportunities to pursue jobs in the state and do so in a way that protects our families. The Journal says we’re ‘playing poker,’ but while other states are openly and transparently debating incentive packages, the closed-door approach of the Martinez Administration leaves the impression that we aren’t even playing the same game.
To lure Intel, our state put together almost $2 billion in special incentives in an open and transparent manner that included special legislation. That takes leadership, and right now we are not seeing that from the administration. I will continue to call for meaningful discussion on big change and action to make our state better until the Governor does the same.
Noting that New Mexico is one of only two states in the country that continues to lose jobs, Sen. Candelaria added:
Inaction in Santa Fe on the economy is a complete disservice to families and communities all across the state who are struggling with growing job losses. We will continue to call for action on these issues and still welcome a serious conversation from this administration. I won’t back down from fighting for New Mexico’s working families, no matter what political pressure is thrown my way.
To read Sen. Keller’s and Sen. Candelaria’s call to action on Tesla, click on the link:http://www.nmsenate.com/2014/06/10/nm-lawmakers-asking-why-governor-martinez-has-yet-to-take-action-to-lure-tesla/.
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