Bill Richardson 2008 - Tell Me Fact Sheet

“TELL ME” RICHARDSON FOR PRESIDENT COMMERICAL FACT SHEET

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Interviewer: Tell me what you did as Governor of New Mexico. Governor: Well, I used tax cuts to help create … Job Interviewer: Over 80,000 jobs … yeah, saw that.

9 Created the “High-Wage” tax credit for companies that pay over a certain wage and made the “Rural Job Tax Credit” permanent to create high wage jobs in rural New Mexico. (See attachment 1 for details.)

Governor: A lot of those jobs … Job Interviewer: Are in high tech, helps the middle class.

9 New Mexico Business Weekly. New Mexico Taxes Down, Employment Up” April 5, 2007. (See attachment 2 for details.)

Governor: Up to sixth in the nation for job growth …

9 New Mexico was ranked 6th in the nation for job growth in October 2006. NMEDD Press Release “Governor's Pro Business Policies Given Top Ranking by Inc. Magazine, October 2, 2006”. (See attachment 3 for details.)

Job Interviewer: Balanced five budgets,

9 As Governor, Bill Richardson balanced the budget every year he was in office, from 2003-2007. Office of the Governor Press Release, March 17, 2007. (See attachment 4 for details.)

put over $600 million dollars into classrooms and

9 Associated Press “Sweeping funding proposal slips into 'yes' column” September 26, 2003. (See attachment 5 for details.)

cut school bureaucracy.

9 Santa Fe New Mexican “Governor Proud of Education Reform as Session Ends” March 22, 2003. Governor Richardson proposed shifting dollars from public school administration to classroom spending. The State Legislature implemented an $18 million shift, at the Governor’s urging. They also capped school district slush funds—forcing them to spend an additional $16 million directly on educational programs. (See attachment 6 for details)

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Governor: New Mexico was 46 in teacher pay. Now we’re 29th.

Interviewer: But for what we’re looking for … you might be a little over-qualified. “I’m Bill Richardson and I approved this message.”

9 Office of the Governor Press Release, March 17, 2007. (See attachment 4 for details.)