Susana Martinez in 2018 NM Governor's race

On Immigration: Deploy National Guard troops on Mexican border

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has ordered the majority of National Guard troops deployed at her state's Southern border to withdraw, condemning what she called a "charade of border fear-mongering" by President Trump, who has warned of an immigration emergency in the region. "I reject the federal contention that there exists an overwhelming national security crisis at the Southern border," Lujan Grisham said, adding that the area has "some of the safest communities in the country."

The governor's order covers most of New Mexico's deployed troops, along with Guard members who have traveled from AR, KS, KY, NH, SC, and WI. In all, 118 National Guard troops have been deployed in New Mexico, the governor's office said.

New Mexico sent National Guard troops to the border last April in an order from then-Gov. Susana Martinez that followed a White House proclamation. At least five states, including two led by Republicans, rejected the president's call to send troops.

Source: NPR Fact-Check on 2018 New Mexico Gubernatorial race Feb 6, 2019

On Jobs: Vetoed minimum wage law; it would kill jobs

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Michelle Lujan Grisham said that she would push to increase New Mexico's minimum wage to $10 an hour--and even higher in the future--and either eliminate or bump up an annual limit on spending on film tax credits. Both ideas would represent a departure from the policies of Gov. Susana Martinez, a Republican who is barred from seeking a third consecutive term in 2018.

Martinez vetoed two minimum wage bills this year. She also struck down 2013 legislation that would have increased the minimum wage to $8.50 an hour, saying at the time that the bill would "kill New Mexico jobs."

As for the film incentive program, New Mexico offers a 25% tax rebate to film companies for most direct, in-state expenditures, though long-running television programs are eligible for an additional 5% credit--or 30% in all. Martinez signed legislation in 2011 that enacted an annual $50 million limit on annual film rebate spending, which had been steadily increasing in previous years.

Source: Albuquerque Journal on 2018 New Mexico governor race Oct 18, 2017

The above quotations are from 2018 New Mexico Gubernatorial race: debates and news coverage. Click here for other excerpts from 2018 New Mexico Gubernatorial race: debates and news coverage. Click here for other excerpts by Susana Martinez. Click here for other excerpts by other Governors.
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Page last updated: Mar 08, 2019