Lawmakers' reactions to budget fix mixed
Posted at: 10/24/2009 6:22 PM
| Updated at: 10/24/2009 9:04 PM
By: Kayla Anderson, Eyewitness News 4; Charlie Pabst, KOB.com
Some say it was too harsh, while others worry it's not enough to solve the state's budget crisis.
House Bill 17 contains about $253 million in budget cuts to schools, colleges and state programs.
Lawmakers finally have a day off, and nobody seems to be 100% happy with the budget balancing bill that's now sitting on the governor's desk.
The package provides $526 million to fill the $650 million gap.
Cash reserves, if they're needed, would make up the rest.
The bill cuts education by less than 1%, and colleges and universities by about 2%.
State agencies took the biggest hit- some of them slashed by more than 7%.
Democratic Representative Al Park from Bernalillo said, "From last year to this year, it was a billion dollar shrinkage of state government, so state employees are going to have to bear an unfortunate brunt on that."
Republican Rep. Jimmie Hall said, "It's going to have to be looked at from the standpoint that what are our essential services- that the state has to have to continue going forward."
The bill also requires the governor to cut salaries and benefits of 102 exempt employees.
Governor Richardson says he'll talk with state employees and the public before making any decision.
He has 20 days to sign or veto any part of the bill.
|
 |
Print Story |
