Gov. responds to Democrats' jobs plan

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - Job losses and the difficult economy continue to steal the spotlight in Santa Fe.

Democratic lawmakers came together at the roundhouse Monday to present their jobs plan and the governor responded.

As expected, the governor and Democrats do not exactly see eye to eye when it comes to how to encourage job growth in New Mexico.

Democrats rolled out a three-point jobs plan. Part of it proposes $97.4 million in capital spending for "shovel-ready" public works projects.

"That will create jobs for plumbers, contractors, electricians. Those are immediate job-creating opportunities,” says Sen. Carlos Cisneros (D - Questa).

It is something the governor says she might support, depending on the specific projects.

"Certainly we are ready to pump in that funding for projects that are ready to go, but I haven't seen anything in writing yet,” Martinez said.

Democrats are also proposing bills they say  will bolster four industries, technology, energy, agriculture and film.

"The film industry at one time was a good job creator and brought a lot of positive economic values to the state of New Mexico,” says Sen. Phil Griego (D - San Jose).

Senator Griego wants to remove the cap on state film tax subsidies.

New Mexico currently allots a maximum of $50 million in tax credits each year for filmmakers.

Governor Martinez says she is fine with any unused money rolling over into the next year, but she is firmly against removing the cap she helped establish.

"What makes the film incentive cap so important is that it makes budgeting more predictable,” Martinez said.

House Speaker Ken Martinez says a jobs council made up of legislators and labor leaders is necessary to focus on job creation year-round.

It is something the governor feels is already being done.

“We do have employability organizations already that are billed together to say, ‘How do we meet the needs of 21st century jobs?’” Martinez said.

The governor has already put forth her plan for job creation.

It includes pouring money into the job training incentive program and giving small businesses tax credits for every new job they create and sustain.

She is also proposing a decrease in the corporate tax rate.

The state Department of Workforce Solutions says New Mexico lost about 3,200 jobs last year.