- Budget analysts caution legislators on film subsidy growth
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The budget and accountability office of New Mexico's Legislature is cautioning that the cost of film tax credit payments to producers such as Netflix could grow quickly and unpredictably in coming years. A Legislative Finance Committee report on Tuesday said preliminary estimates indicate that new production commitments by Netflix, announced in November, could increase annual tax credit payouts by $25 million beginning next fiscal year. The state expects to pay out nearly $100 million in film production tax credits in the coming fiscal year, starting in July 2021, and $147 million the following year. Budget analysts say costs to taxpayers could quickly grow further through partnerships with the film industry.
- Albuquerque plans to turn old hospital into homeless shelter
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — City officials say they plan to buy a former Albuquerque hospital and turn it into a homeless shelter and services hub. Mayor Tim Keller said Tuesday that the city is working to purchase the former Lovelace hospital although the price wasn't immediately disclosed. Keller told the Albuquerque Journal that the property would provide emergency shelter beds, an around-the-clock dropoff site for first responders and a home for on-site medical and behavioral health services. New Mexico currently is leasing 360,000 square feet of the facility as a COVID-19 emergency hospital and Keller says the city's purchase would not disrupt that.
- Arizona utility increases its share of nuclear power plant
PHOENIX (AP) — An Arizona public utility is increasing its ownership share in the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station located west of Phoenix. The Salt River Project announced that its board has approved the purchase of part of Public Service Co. of New Mexico's ownership along with some transmission assets for about $70 million plus the cost of the plant's associated nuclear fuel inventory. When the deal is completed, SRP says its ownership share will be about 20% of the plant's total capacity. SRP says its purchase of 114 megawatts of Palo Verde's output from PNM will provide additional energy needed to serve increasing customer demand.
- New Mexico prepared for rationing care if pandemic worsens
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Top health officials say New Mexico has a solid plan in place to stretch hospital and health care resources as far as possible before having to ration care. But they also warned during an update Tuesday that the state could face that prospect if the coronavirus pandemic worsens. Human Services Secretary Dr. David Scrase said there are hospitals around New Mexico facing extremely high demands. He said state health officials are likely to formally declare that providers are at a stage where rationing care is possible. Officials stressed that the tools for making such decisions are objective and based on equity and fairness.
- Economists predict rebound in New Mexico government income
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — State economists are predicting a rebound in New Mexico state government income for the fiscal year that starts in July 2021, on top of multibillion-dollar financial reserves. Economists for the Legislature and three state agencies said Tuesday that the state anticipates an increase in general fund revenues of $163 million over current annual spending obligations. That's roughly a 2% increase. The state is likely to finish the fiscal year in July with $2.4 billion in financial reserves. That leaves New Mexico well-positioned to maintain funding for essential services in public education, public safety, health care and more amid the coronavirus pandemic.
- New Mexico seeks court's protection from business lawsuits
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico's governor and top health officials are trying to fend off a flurry of lawsuits by businesses owners who say financial losses caused by the state's pandemic health orders amount to a regulatory taking and should be compensated. The administration of Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is urging the state Supreme Court to intervene and defuse the lawsuits. On Tuesday, an attorney for small businesses said state law supports public compensation for the pandemic response. Arguments are scheduled in January at the Supreme Court. At least 14 lawsuits initially filed in district court describe pandemic-related health orders as a regulatory "taking" that merits just compensation to businesses.
- Virus outbreak in Texas army base alarms New Mexico leaders
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The New Mexico congressional delegation is raising questions about a coronavirus outbreak among a group of soldiers in El Paso, Texas, which borders their state. The Oregon Army National Guard unit recently returned from a month-long deployment in the southern European country of Kosovo as part of a NATO peacekeeping force. The Senators and Congress members say they've learned 70 soldiers have tested positive for COVID-19 as of Tuesday. In a letter to the Pentagon, the delegation asks for details about how the army will test and contact trace going forward, and if the outbreak has spread beyond the unit.
- Pearce elected to another term as chair of New Mexico GOP
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Steve Pearce will serve another term as chairman of the Republican Party of New Mexico. The former congressman beat three challengers to hold on to the leadership post. Members of the party's central committee voted during an online meeting Monday. There were questions about the initial tally as it showed Pearce ahead of radio station owner Eddy Aragon by just one vote. Party spokesman Mike Curtis said a mistake by the company tallying the results was corrected and Pearce widened his lead. Pearce says the party will continue to push to win more legislative seats and mayoral races around the state.