Behind The Scenes: 2017 State Of The State Broadcast

By: Anthony Herrera and Sarah Gustavus
Photos: Kevin Maestas 

Governor Susana Martinez addressed New Mexicans on Tuesday in the annual State of the State address at the start of the legislative session in Santa Fe. In her speech, Governor Martinez focus on increasing penalties for certain crimes, education reform, the budget and jobs.

In the New Mexico PBS studios in Albuquerque, former state lawmakers joined host Gene Grant to discuss the speech and what’s ahead for this year’s 60-day legislative session.

CRIME

Throughout her tenure, Governor Martinez has consistently referenced proposals to increase penalties for crimes. Martinez specifically mentioned four children who were murdered when she called for reinstating the death penalty in New Mexico.

“We must crack down on crime. Pass a meaningful three-strikes bill that keeps violent repeat offenders off our streets. And if you kill a child, a law enforcement officer or a corrections officer, you deserve the death penalty. If you intentionally abuse a child and that child dies, regardless of that child’s age, you should never get out of prison.”

There are a number of crime-related bills that have been introduced and are awaiting committee assignments.  The Line discussed the idea of reinstating the death penalty last fall.

EDUCATION

Governor Martinez touted her administration’s education reforms and called again for lawmakers to pass legislation to require third grade retention for students who are not reading at grade level. Similar legislation has failed in recent years. She also expressed support for denying drivers license to students who are regularly truant.

The Public Education Department also released new data on graduation rates in New Mexico this week. Martinez claimed reforms in her administration contributed to a rise in the number of students who are graduating from high school:

“The graduation rate is now the highest this state has ever seen – and that is after we raised graduation standards.”

Martinez also mentioned teacher and administrator training and mentoring in her address. See a previous Line discussion about third grade retention here.

JOBS

During the speech Martinez also focused on the need to diversify the state’s economy and grow the private sector, particularly in the current budge climate. She mentioned several companies and highlighted the deal struck with Facebook earlier this year to build a data center in Los Lunas:

“Facebook was a year in the making. It started with a trip to California to tell New Mexico’s story and ended with a massive data center that will bring thousands of construction jobs, 50 high-paying jobs and $1.5 billion in private investment – with the potential for multiple phases creating more jobs and more investment.”

Critics of the Facebook deal say the tax incentives that Facebook received are too high for the number of permanent jobs the project will create south of Albuquerque. The Line debated the arguments for and against the project last year. 

BUDGET

A continued budget deficit is a looming concern for lawmakers and New Mexicans across the state. Martinez said the state is on track to diversify the economy without raising taxes or hindering the economic growth:

“We positioned our state to endure this current budget crisis without raising taxes; without stopping our progress on economic development, education and fighting crime.”

Governor Martinez has repeatedly said that she is not open to legislation that would raise taxes. Democrats now control the House and Senate and there will be a lively debate this year over how to balance the state budget, which is required by the state constitution, and plan for the future.

Full video of opening day of the session, the State of the State address and NMiF analysis is here