http://www.kob.com/article/stories/S2468901.shtml?cat=516

By: Stuart Dyson, KOB Eyewitness News 4; Danielle Flores, KOB.com

The battle over New Mexico’s rebates for the film industry may be over before the shooting starts.

Governor Susana Martinez told lawmakers not to bother passing any bills that would do away with the $50 million cap on the payback deal for movie-makers.

The bill does not stand a chance of becoming state law.

Film makers who spend a dollar making a movie in New Mexico will get 25 cents back. The old deal had no limit but last year, Martinez compromised with lawmakers and got the $50 million cap.

Democratic lawmakers in the House of Representatives have the votes to rid the cap but Martinez said they should not waste their time.

“I will not sign a bill that changes what is in law and in place right now,” Martinez said. “I want predictability for the film industry and they have received predictability and I think they really appreciate the fact that there is predictability. It allows us to formulate a budget and balance the budget.”

Representative Al Park (D) of Albuquerque disagrees with Martinez’ decision.

“We don’t have a cap on a single incentive in any other industry. We plant incentives all across the board for things all across New Mexico…this is an industry that we know right now is generating a billion dollars in economic activity,” Park said.

If Martinez vetoes any such bill, Democrats in the house do not have the votes to override her.

While Martinez and lawmakers argued and debated the rebates last year, “Iron Man 3″ and “Oblivion,” starring Tom Cruise, pulled out of New Mexico to shoot elsewhere.

Film industry insiders said it would have been close to $500 million for the two films.