Lawmakers grow restless trying to fix budget

Posted at: 10/20/2009 6:54 PM | Updated at: 10/21/2009 7:40 AM
By: Stuart Dyson, Eyewitness News 4; Matthew Kappus, KOB.com

Sen. Peter Wirth

The atmosphere is grim at the state capitol as lawmakers continue to grapple with the gaping hole in the state's bank account.

Many lawmakers fear the special session has turned into a train wreck after four days. There seems to be no end in sight as lawmakers wrestle with different plans to cut state spending.

The Senate on Tuesday afternoon killed last-ditch efforts to get tax increase bills on the agenda—something the governor and legislative leaders agreed would not happen.

"The overall goal of this I think, this process, is legislation to balance the budget without a tax increase. I think that's what his goals were, I think that's what he's trying to do, I think that's what he's trying to tell us he's going to do," said President Pro Tem Tim Jennings.

Some lawmakers say they just don't have the ability to close the $650 million budget shortfall with the tools the have.

"Essentially, we are being asked to fix this problem without the tools that we need to do it," said Sen. Peter Wirth (D-Santa Fe).

But Sen. Cisco McSorley (D-Albuquerque) says he's not ready to give up.

"For this body to roll over and play dead at this crisis in our state history is wrong," he said.

On Tuesday night, lawmakers in the Senate clashed over public school spending, Medicaid spending, and all other types of state spending. The question is how much will have to be cut to avoid layoffs throughout state government. Key lawmakers tell Eyewitness News 4 there is no consensus in the House or Senate.

Some lawmakers are openly suggesting they fix last year's leftover deficit, pull the plug on the current session, and come back in January. It's not likely to happen, but the idea is growing in popularity.

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