NMPolitics.net (https://nmpolitics.net/index/tag/economy/page/49/)
Some legislators have rightly suggested that budget cuts that will force state police to park their cars and reduce patrols are an unacceptable option under any circumstance, and I wholeheartedly agree. The same standard should be applied to prosecutors as well. Continue Reading
A group of Republican legislators released a list of 48 budget-cutting items they say Richardson can enact without legislative action, including releasing non-violent criminals early, selling the state’s jet and skipping the 2010 Rose Bowl Parade. Continue Reading
I believe the current budget deficit can be solved through increased operational efficiencies that every state agency is more than capable of identifying, auditing the current budget for unspent reverted funds, delaying some discretionary capital outlay projects and decreasing the rainy day fund by 1 to 2.5 percent. Continue Reading
“Few here are willing to discuss, much less confront, the fact that we now have recurring expenditures which are exceeding recurring revenues by about $1 billion,” says state Rep. Joseph Cervantes, D-Las Cruces. Continue Reading
There’s disagreement about how many exempt employees the governor has, but there appears to be some level of agreement – at least in the Senate – that the number should be cut to help plug the state’s budget shortfall. Continue Reading
I would suggest that instead of concentrating on cutting salaries, which are critical to bringing and retaining quality educators into the state, we should look at programs and unfunded mandates first. Continue Reading
Sens. Cisco McSorely and Tim Keller and Rep. Mimi Stewart, all Albuquerque Democrats, say it’s time to raise taxes to curb the state’s widening budget shortfall. And all three are trying to prevent cuts to education in the current special session. Continue Reading
Some senators want to consider revenue-raising measures; others think salary cuts may be necessary. The governor says he won’t allow either. Will senators come together to reject the limitations the governor has placed on the session? Continue Reading
Being a legislator in this state, during this crisis, is pretty darn thankless. Be true to yourself and the people who elected you to represent them, and I would respectfully submit that your choices, while still incredibly difficult, will at least be a bit more palatable — to voters and to yourself. Continue Reading
The special session of the Legislature that convenes Saturday will be webcast, John Yaeger, assistant director for Legislative Council Services, confirmed. Continue Reading
There are great opportunities disguised as impossible situations facing the New Mexico Legislature in their budget shortfall special session. The same Legislature and governor who did not listen to good advice about the transitory nature of the state’s revenue are meeting to fix the financial problems of their own making. Continue Reading
The state’s current fiscal-year budget deficit has grown to $660 million, a new revenue projection set to be released Thursday will say. Continue Reading
House Minority Leader Tom Taylor, R-Farmington, says there won’t be any quick fixes in the upcoming special session of the Legislature to address the massive budget shortfall. Continue Reading
Having a one-sided conversation about cutting spending but not raising revenue ties the hands of legislators who want to protect their communities from education and Medicaid cuts and future job losses. The governor needs to recognize that his tax policy is a failed policy. Continue Reading
As we head into the special session, projections of our state’s budget shortfall get worse and worse. And the specter of massive cuts — or even a few tax increases — looms larger every day. So here they are, my guidelines for making these hard budget decisions. Continue Reading