Gov. Bill Richardson (Photo by Heath Haussamen)
Gov. Bill Richardson on Monday ordered state agencies to prepare plans to cut another 3 percent from their budgets as his office drafts a proposal to cut an estimated $433 million from the state’s budget for the current fiscal year.
Meanwhile, a number of activist groups are calling for the opening of budget negotiations to the public.
The potential cuts Richardson ordered state agencies to identify are on top of what was already implemented in this year’s budget. Though he can’t order it, Richardson in a news release said he is also “strongly urging” areas of state government not under his control — including the legislative and judicial branches and offices run by other statewide elected officials — to make plans to cut 3 percent from their budgets.
Richardson plans to unveil his proposal to balance the budget in early September, according to the release. He will then present it to an executive-legislative working group that is negotiating a budget fix in advance of the special session Richardson plans to call in October.
“We will all have to make additional sacrifices, but I believe we can close the existing budget gap in a fiscally responsible way, without increasing taxes,” Richardson said in the release. “The purpose of submitting my plan is simply to start the discussion. Nothing is etched in stone. I welcome the Legislature’s input.”
Groups want meetings in Santa Fe, Albuquerque and Las Cruces
Meanwhile, several groups sent a letter to Richardson and lawmakers who are part of the working group on Monday calling on them to open meetings on the budget shortfall to the public. The groups include progressive nonprofits, unions, a faith-based organization and others.
“The outcome of these conversations will directly impact the entire state. All New Mexicans should have the opportunity to provide input,” Ruth Hoffman, executive director of Lutheran Advocacy Ministry, said in a news release from the groups.
The groups asked for three regional, public hearings — in Santa Fe, Albuquerque and Las Cruces — on the budget.
“We recognize this is an urgent matter and applaud the governor and Legislature for taking swift action to address this fiscal challenge,” Gerry Bradley, New Mexico Voices for Children’s research director, said in the release. “However, we also believe that the people of New Mexico have valid concerns and good ideas on how to reach a solution to the current budget crisis. It is only responsible to take these ideas and concerns into consideration when making these important policy decisions.”