Final Debate: Martinez Can't Hide from Support of Predatory Lenders Who Rip Off New Mexicans

Press Release

In the debate's most telling moment, Diane Denish produced a fundraising invitation from backers of the payday lending industry that explicitly says Susana Martinez will be a governor on the side of these powerful interests who rip off New Mexico families. Throughout the debate, Martinez reaffirmed her unwavering support for the powerful interests, while Diane Denish outlined her plans to help New Mexico families get through these difficult times.

Click here to see Diane challenge Martinez on her predatory-lending industry fundraiser.

"The predatory lenders and their lobbyists are raising money for Susana Martinez because she promised to let them continue ripping off our most vulnerable families," said Denish. "I'll put predatory lenders out of business. Why? Because they trap our families in never-ending cycles of debt, forcing folks to lose their homes or cars. With each passing day, Susana Martinez makes it clearer that she'll side with the powerful corporations. I'll side with New Mexico families."

In addition, throughout the debate Diane consistently took the side of working families while Susana Martinez continued to make the case that she's on the side of powerful interests and big corporations that don't care about average working New Mexicans who are struggling in this economy.

On the issues that matter:

Corporate Accountability: Diane said she'd close the corporate tax loophole that gives big out-of-state corporations tax breaks at the expense of New Mexico's families and small businesses. Martinez's position: Keep the loophole open, allowing large corporations to continue to hide their profits. Martinez also defended her plan to roll back the rules that hold powerful interests accountable and protect New Mexico's families and natural resources.

Education: Diane pledged to fully fund public schools and expand early childhood education. Susana Martinez equated childcare subsidies that help hard-working low-income New Mexicans keep their jobs to welfare.

Jobs: Diane outlined her plan to help small businesses through increased access to capital, a tax credit for job creation and cutting red-tape. Martinez offered the Bush-era mantra of cutting protections and letting corporations run wild -- the same plan that got our economy into this mess.

On the Budget: Diane outlined her 36-point plan to save taxpayers an estimated $450-million, while pointing out that Martinez's budget plan just doesn't add up. The Martinez administration plan is to cut education and Medicaid and balance the budget on the back of New Mexico families.

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