Susana Martinez (left, courtesy photo) and Diane Denish (photo by Heath Haussamen)
Substantive discussion of the issues has thus far taken a backseat to negative campaigning in the governor’s race. It doesn’t appear that the campaigns are going to change that: Democrat Diane Denish rejected Republican Susana Martinez’s truce offer last month, and Denish and Martinez continued their sparring on Wednesday.
Sure, there has been some substantive policy talk. Denish has done more of it, releasing plans for ethics reform, helping small businesses, workforce development and government reform. While Martinez hasn’t released similarly detailed plans on most issues, she authored a fairly detailed guest column on this site about how she intends to grow jobs.
But Martinez has also failed to answer at least two policy questions asked by journalists that Denish did answer, about a situation involving Helena Chemical Company’s facility in Mesquite and the Public Regulation Commission’s authority over insurance rate hikes.
Both candidates have sections on the issues on their campaign Web sites (Martinez here and Denish here), but both have distracted themselves and voters with tit-for-tat sparring.
Starting today, NMPolitics.net intends to regularly publish statements from both gubernatorial candidates on specific policy issues in an attempt to nail them down on their views and turn the discussion to more substantive matters. Look for a post every week or two on a serious policy question.
I told the candidates I would place no word minimum or limit on their responses to questions. I want them to have the space they need to say what they have to say.
The film-incentive program
This week, I asked the candidates about the state’s film incentive program. The question:
“What is your opinion of the state’s film incentive program – the tax rebates and loans offered to companies to film movies and TV shows in New Mexico? Would you, as governor, seek to continue the program in its current form, make changes to it, or end it altogether, and why? If you would make changes, what would they be?”
The answers, first from Denish:
“I believe every tax credit issued by the state should be scrutinized on the basis of whether it’s creating jobs – and the film incentive is one that has done just that, with more than 10,000 jobs created in the state and $320 million in direct economic activity here in New Mexico. These are dollars that are turning around in our community – restaurants, hotels, suppliers, and, most important, high-skilled crews trained right here at home.
“During these difficult economic times, we should be investing in new, clean industries, especially ones that have allowed us to create a skilled workforce. I support a strong film-incentive program that has a strong audit process to ensure these dollars are being spent wisely and New Mexico jobs are being created.
“I would push for more production work to be carried out in rural parts of the state so that all communities can feel the direct benefit of this program. Finally, I would continue to push for post-production facilities so the entire filmmaking process could be completed here in New Mexico. Now is not the time to turn away from incentives that have a track record of creating jobs and developing important skills in our workforce.”
Second, from Martinez campaign spokesman Adam Deguire:
“Last year, the state faced a budget deficit close to $600 million, while at the same time spending over $76 million on film incentives. Economic development is a very important issue to New Mexicans, especially in these financially difficult times. Susana supports efforts to bring the film industry to New Mexico, but she believes we must do a better job ensuring these incentives are truly helping the economy.
“Susana is concerned with the conflicting data provided by the Richardson/Denish Administration and, if elected, will order an independent economic review of these incentives to ensure New Mexicans are getting an adequate return on investment. A study of the entire tax system must be undertaken to ensure that we create an environment that allows for long-term growth and lower taxes to help all small businesses, which are the backbone of our economy.”
One difference in their statements – Denish talking about the jobs created and Martinez talking about “conflicting data” – is due to the fact that there has been debate over the success of the program based on two different studies. You can read more about that debate here, here and here.