THE 2013 LEGISLATIVE SESSION BEGINS IN SANTA FE. POLITICAL ANALYST JOE MONAHAN SAYS THERE ARE STILL HARD FEELINGS BETWEEN GOVERNOR MARTINEZ AND THE DEMOCRATS, OVER THE GOVERNOR'S INVOLVEMENT IN THE NOVEMBER ELECTIONS...AND THAT MAY MAKE IT DIFFICULT FOR HER TO GET HER AGENDA PASSED. HE SAYS THERE'S BEEN GRIDLOCK THE LAST COUPLE OF SESSIONS ... AND THAT SEEMS TO BE THE FORECAST AGAIN THIS SESSION.

 

MONAHAN SAYS THE FOUNDATION OF THE GOVERNOR'S ECONOMIC PLAN WILL BE A CUT IN CORPORATE INCOME TAXES...BUT THE DEMOCRATS FAVOR FILLING VACANT POSITIONS AND RAISING PAY FOR STATE EMPLOYEES. MONAHAN SAYS THERE WILL BE A FIGHT OVER THOSE PROPOSED PAY RAISES. THE LEGISLATIVE FINANCE COMMITTEE FAVORS A ONE PERCENT INCREASE...WHILE THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET PROPOSAL DOES NOT INCLUDE ANY RAISES.