Business group polishing jobs plan

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - Jobs and technology were the talk of Kirtland Air Force Base Friday as business leaders mulled a plan to bring more tech employment and research to New Mexico.

The big summit brought people together with the Phillips Technology Institute , which encourages collaboration among business, education and government.

The plan--dubbed the New Century Jobs Agenda Initiative--has seven different parts including tax cuts and incentives for companies to come here and to train workers locally.

And the head of the state's economic-development programs said he is going to push the Legislature to help make the plan a reality when it convenes next month.

"If we pass all seven aspects of the jobs agenda, we could see thousands of jobs created here in New Mexico," Economic Development Secretary Jon Barela said.  "These will be high-paying jobs and jobs we so desperately need in this state."

The development group also wants the Roundhouse to pass an informed-consent law for Spaceport America now under development in Sierra County.  That would reduce its liability if there's ever an accident, and boosters say it would let the spaceport compete with other states.