SANTA FE State senators today approved a bill to better track whether the movie industry helps or hurts New Mexico's economy. The vote was 390.



Sen. Timothy Keller, DAlbuquerque, sponsored the measure, which he said is neutral on the film industry but designed to pinpoint its value to taxpayers.



will be able to determine how much is spent on the film industry, and how much return there is on our investment, Keller said during an hourlong floor debate.



Another change is that details about the industry's expenses and the subsidies it receives would be open for public football jerseys wholesale inspection on the state's website. Currently, only the bottomline numbers are available, as the state Department of Tax and Revenue says industry receipts are not subject to public records laws.



New Mexico pays a 25 percent refund to filmmakers on qualified production expenses. This means that for every $1,000 a movie producer spends in the state, he is entitled to a $250 refund from the state.



These refunds to moviemakers totaled about $65 million last year. Critics of the program, such as Republican Rep. Dennis Kintigh of Roswell, said that cheap nfl football jerseys wholesale took money away from schools, roads and health care.



Supporters of the film business, including Sen. Sue Wilson Beffort, RSandia Park, said the movie industry is hiring New Mexicans regularly and spending on supplies, meals and hotel rooms.



Beffort abstained from the vote today, saying her son works in the movie industry in California and some might perceive that she had a conflict.



Economic studies on the movie industry generally say that its benefits to states are minimal, as jobs are shortterm and government subsidies negate money spent in the state.



Two studies specific to the New Mexico industry reached vastly different conclusions. One found that the state got back just 14 cents for every dollar spent on movies. The other said the state received $1.56 for every dollar of investment.



Sen. John Arthur Smith, DDeming, said Keller's bill should eliminate all guesswork and show precisely whether movies are a good or bad deal for taxpayers.