New Mexico Film Industry Incentives, the State Minimum Wage, & the Public Regulation Commission

After capping incentives to the film and television production industry, lawmakers may soon be calling for a rewrite. This week on New Mexico in Focus, we talk film incentives at the State Capitol as lawmakers look to craft legislation that will draw Hollywood to New Mexico without breaking the bank.

A host of cities across the country, including Santa Fe and Albuquerque, have boosted their minimum wage – should our state follow suit? Democrats in the Roundhouse say a minimum wage of $8.50 an hour is about social justice, but the Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce says it simply drives up the costs of goods and services. The Line opinion panel looks at the push for a statewide minimum wage and the political quagmire it could create for Governor Martinez.

The Line also looks at what lawmakers are doing to set stronger qualifications for those who serve on the Public Regulation Commission. At issue is the balance between finding the most qualified candidates for the PRC while keeping the office accessible to the New Mexicans who might run for it. And before going on the clock with the week’s other headlines, the Line examines the constitutional amendments that would funnel more money to early childhood programs.

Host: Gene Grant

Correspondent: Matt Grubs, NMiF Producer

Guests:
Sen. Phil Griego, D-San Jose
Sen. Stephen Neville, R-Aztec
Sen. John Ryan, R-Albuquerque
Rep. Moe Maestas, D-Albuquerque
Line Guests:
Dede Feldman, Former New Mexico Senator
Antoinette Sedillo Lopez, UNM Law Professor
Line Panelists:
Rob Nikolewski, Editor, Capitol Report New Mexico
Dan Foley, Former NM House Republican Whip

The Producer of NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS is Matt Grubs. Associate Producer is Kathy Wimmer. Funding for this program was provided in part by the McCune Foundation. Subscribe to the New Mexico in Focus Podcast on iTunes.

Episode 632 for air February 8, 2013