I am writing today to announce the closure of the New Mexico Independent. After three and a half years of operation in New Mexico, the board of the American Independent News Network, has decided to shift publication of its news…
While environmental activists played their part yesterday during demonstrations at the capitol building, going so far as to dress up as solar panels and to sing the tune of “You Are My Sunshine,” their counterparts, the anti-cap-and-trade contingency who has…
Roughly one quarter of University of New Mexico students are unimpressed with the state’s flagship public school, according to a survey that questioned college students about their higher education experiences.
Republican Jon Barela, vying to unseat Freshman Democratic Rep. Martin Heinrich, has often said that government spending isn’t a solution to stimulating the economy and that if elected he’d end “wasteful government spending.” In yesterday’s Albuquerque Journal, he was quoted saying it’s risk-takers that lead to economic growth, not government incentives. Yet Barela’s own company—Cerelink—has benefited significantly from taxpayer cash assistance, through New Mexico’s film tax rebate program and from high speed computing infrastructure owned by the public.
Citing a 2008 study of New Mexico’s film industry subsidies, Los Angeles Times business columnist Michael Hiltzik Friday questioned California’s own $100 million-a-year tax credits for Hollywood film productions, calling them “corporate welfare.”
The study showed that New Mexico saw…
If Gov. Bill Richardson vetoes the food tax, Sen. President Pro Tem Tim Jennings, D-Roswell says he should make up the $68 million dollar budget difference by cutting tax incentives for the film industry.
The bill to repeal the state’s film credits is behind them, but film workers say by even introducing the idea costs not only them, but the entire state. Two more bills are targeting the credits and while they won’t repeal…
New Mexico’s film tax credits survived an all out cut earlier in the session. But now there is another measure headed through the Roundhouse to cap those credits. Senate Bill 235 would cap the credit each production could get…
New Mexico’s unemployment rate spiked at the end of 2009–from 7.8 percent in November to 8.3 percent in December 2009—marking a 22 year high. The rate was 4.7 percent last year. Only four of the state’s 13 industries have…
Before discussion of a bill in committee, it’s normal for the chair to ask the audience who is there in support and who isn’t. After Chairman Garcia asked that question on Tuesday, Rep. Dennis Kintigh, R-Roswell, knew he was alone.…
Scene opens: The 2009 legislative session. Moments after a House committee killed his bill to end state movie credits Rep. Dennis Kintigh spends two hours with industry representatives to try and find a compromise. Fast forward to now and…he’s…
Lawmakers may reconsider the state’s tax incentives for filmmakers, KOB reports. Adding up to $46 million last year alone, the tax breaks would be scrapped under a plan lawmakers are examining. However, the New Mexico Film Office warns that such…
An article in The New York Times this week undoubtedly caught the eye of New Mexico officials who’ve been touting the success of the state’s active film industry.
