Contact: Erika Martinez
(505)986-4819
Erika.Martinez@nmlegis.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 10, 2014
NM Lawmakers Asking Why Governor Martinez Has Yet to Take Action to Lure Tesla
California Moving Fast to Craft Incentives
Santa Fe, NM – In early May, Senate Majority Whip Tim Keller (D-17-Bernalillo) wrote a letter to Governor Martinez requesting her consideration for a special session to discuss possible incentives to lure Tesla’s battery gigafactory to Albuquerque, among other issues. Thus far, a formal answer from the Governor has yet to be received. In the meantime, California is moving forward to sponsor legislation that is reported to include tax credits, workforce training grants and streamlined permitting and environmental reviews to lure Tesla. Frustration is building amongst New Mexico lawmakers who are now asking why the Governor has yet to include the legislature in any discussions with Tesla and why the public has not been properly informed about any incentives the Governor’s office has in mind.
“It’s deeply disappointing to know that because our Governor has yet to take any action, New Mexico could lose out on one of the biggest opportunities to benefit the job market,” said Sen. Keller. “While other states are working together to land these vital jobs, here in New Mexico our Governor refuses to collaborate with legislators on initiatives that help our state progress. A special session would not only allow state officials to take formal action, but would also assure New Mexicans that we are working in a transparent way to better serve our state.”
“We need to come together and lead, so that we can aggressively pursue this opportunity,” added Senator Jacob Candelaria (D-26-Bernalillo). “We can’t let partisan differences get in the way. New Mexicans want to finally see real results and growth in our economy. I invite the Governor to work in a bipartisan way with the legislature and get this job done.”
In May, Sen. Keller’s letter to the Governor stated that the special session could be used to address New Mexico’s stagnant job situation, law enforcement training, winning the Telsa plant, behavioral health reform, dealing with the ongoing drought situation and the state’s education system. He claimed urgent action was needed and cautioned that waiting until the 2015 regular legislative session, which would delay an impact until 2016, would be too long for change to take place in the state. He also cited historical precedent of special session used to bring Intel to Rio Rancho. In an op-ed titled “NM should create intelligent Tesla incentives,” he and a dozen other legislators outlined the type of innovative and accountable incentives that can be used with bring Tesla to the state, while protecting the downside risk.
Sadly, the Martinez administration continues to play political games instead of having a serious conversation about what these 6,000 additional jobs could mean for the state. In an attempt to cover-up their lack of action to lure Tesla, the Governor’s political operation has even cherry-picked phrases from the above mentioned op-ed to divert attention from her own inaction.
Sen. Keller continued, “This is not the time for political games and I firmly believe that the cost of the administration sitting on their hands to future generations of New Mexicans, is far greater than the costs of coming together to find solutions. The benefit of bringing Tesla to New Mexico far outweighs the costs of a special session and the administration is being disingenuous to suggest otherwise.”
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