Economic forum to focus on jobs

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - For now the fiscal cliff has been averted , but it will still be another two months before it's determined what kind of spending cuts will be made in federal dollars. Those cuts could mean cuts to jobs, many Federal jobs that New Mexicans depend on.

Gov. Susana Martinez along with several chamber of commerce organizations will get a preview of the governor's economic development agenda which will go before lawmakers in Santa Fe. However, looming over Thursday's discussions will be the topic of saving some of New Mexico's jobs which may be affected by cuts in federal dollars.

According to a University of New Mexico study, about 20,000-plus jobs plus could be lost in the form of defense cuts and contractor positions. Economic leaders say this is the time to try and come up with ways to bring more jobs to New Mexico and maybe offset any potential loss that may come at the federal level.

"So we're going to hear from the governor about ways that we can try to attract more companies to locate and grow in New Mexico and by that we'll see greater opportunities for employment," says Paul Roth, chairman of the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce.

One of the ways they hope to attract more private sector companies to the state is by re-doing the tax structure for businesses in New Mexico. Roth says the state has the second highest tax rate for companies in the western half of the United States.