|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted at: 08/12/2009 12:13 PM Special session could carve millions Lawmakers will be faced with cutting millions from the state’s budget when they convene in October for a special session to address budget woes.
Governor Bill Richardson wants key lawmakers to meet ahead of the October session to hammer out a preliminary agreement so the session can be wrapped up in one day. The key question facing lawmakers: After significant cuts were made earlier this year, how much more is available to be trimmed? The money will be cut from the fiscal year that began in July and officials are predicting $400 million to $500 million will have to be trimmed. At the same time, officials want to avoid layoffs, tax increases or spending reductions for things like public schools and Medicaid. “It can be done in one day if we do all the necessary groundwork in advance of the legislative session, if we make sure we have all the decisions in place so we can respond to what is a profound economic crisis,” says Rep. Al Park, D-ABQ. A bipartisan group of budget hawks will work out the revised budget later this summer after the Richardson Administration and the legislature issue the next consensus revenue forecast. That’s expected to be released on Friday. Unlike other states this year, New Mexico isn’t facing a multibillion dollar shortfall, layoffs or the potential of facing bankruptcy. Still, the cuts made during the special session are likely to be painful. Lawmakers have already trimmed a lot of fat and the next cuts are likely to affect bones and meat.
|
|
|
|
Paid Advertisement:
|
|
|
|||
Print Story
