SANTA FE – Two Democratic state lawmakers are questioning why Gov. Susana Martinez has not called a special legislative session aimed at luring electric carmaker Tesla to build a giant battery plant in New Mexico – even though one of them previously warned against tax incentive “trophy deals.”

A Martinez spokesman accused the legislators of politicizing the Tesla Motors project and the jobs that could accompany it.

“Calls for a special session are premature, reckless and damaging to New Mexico’s chances of locating this project in our state,” said Martinez spokesman Enrique Knell, who added that administration officials and others have been involved in “high-level” discussions about the proposed $5 billion battery factory.

Tesla has not yet announced where it will build the massive new facility, which is projected to employ 6,500 workers. New Mexico is one of five finalists for the plant – the others are Arizona, California, Nevada and Texas.

Senate Democratic Whip Tim Keller of Albuquerque expressed frustration Tuesday, saying other state legislatures are moving ahead with plans to craft bills aimed at luring Tesla.

“It’s deeply disappointing to know that because our governor has yet to take any action, New Mexico could lose out on one of the biggest opportunities to benefit the job market,” said Keller, who is a candidate for state auditor.

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