(ALBUQUERQUE, NM)—New Mexico Department of Veterans’ Services Secretary Timothy Hale and Deputy Secretary Alan Martinez were guests on Albuquerque-based KKOB radio’s popular hour-long morning show The Bob Clark Show on January 27.

The two were invited to talk about the department, veterans’ issues, pending veteran-related legislation in the current legislative session, and to answer phone calls and emails from listeners.

Of particular interest to Clark—who comes from a family with a long history of military service and who proudly calls himself a strong veteran’s advocate—were two pieces of legislation currently making its way through the legislative process: HB-10/Tax Credit for Hiring Veterans—which would give businesses a $1,000 corporate tax credit for each veteran hired, and HB-162/SB-129 Tax Exemption for Military Retirees—two similar bills which would offer a 25% state income tax exemption from the pay of military retirees.

“Am I correct in assuming that these are two proposals which would not only help veterans and retirees, but also the community in general?” asked Clark.

“That’s correct, Bob,” replied Secretary Hale. “About the Tax Credit for businesses…we have National Guard members who are coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan—and unlike before they’re not going to be able to remain full-time in the Guard when they come back, due to the streamlining of today’s modern military. So we need to help these men and women find jobs here at home—and keep them off the unemployment cycle and the problems that come with it.”

“And the 25% exemption on retiree pay would help entice retirees to settle in New Mexico,” said Deputy Secretary Martinez. “Every year New Mexico loses retirees to neighboring and other states in the country who chooses these states over us because those states offer retiree-pay exemptions of varying degrees—some up to 100%. These retirees bring with them pensions, health benefits, and talents which often leads to them opening a business—and thus creating additional jobs for the state.”

Deputy Secretary Martinez and Secretary Hale then fielded questions from callers…ranging from Behavioral Programs available at the Albuquerque VA Medical Center, employment assistance programs for veterans, the long-term future of the Santa Fe National Cemetery  (“…the VA anticipates full-capacity by the year 2025,” said Secretary Hale. “But discussions are underway right now to address its expansion to ensure that the VA fulfills the needs of the families of fallen veterans for many, many more years beyond.”)

Clark then invited the Secretary and Deputy Secretary back “in a couple of months” to discuss the progress of the proposed veterans’ legislation, and to field more calls from listeners.

KKOB AM770 is the Arbitron-rated number one station in New Mexico The Bob Clark Show is the Arbitron-Rated number-one morning radio show in the state.

NMDVS Secretary Timothy Hale (center, in red shirt) makes a point to KKOB radio’s Bob Clark (at left) as NMDVS Deputy Secretary Alan Martinez listens…during a “live” one hour appearance January 27 on The Bob Clark Show.