Gov. Wants 11% Budget Increase (NM-Richardson)

The Albuquerque Journal ^ | January 11, 2007 | Barry Massey

[CedarDave]

SANTA FE— Gov. Bill Richardson is proposing a nearly $5.7 billion state budget that provides for an 11 percent increase in spending next year and leaves room for about $125 million in tax cuts.

In releasing its budget recommendations to the Legislature on Wednesday, the Richardson administration proposed a more than doubling of state money for pre-kindergarten programs serving 4-year-olds and phasing in over two years an expansion of Medicaid to provide health care to more uninsured low-income adults.

~~ snip ~~

Public schools and higher education accounted for much of the governor's proposed budget increase. The governor recommended ... a 9.1 percent increase in spending, or $208 million. Among the governor's educational proposals: 7.4 percent pay raises for public school teachers and 5 percent increases for other school workers; ...

The Legislature convenes Tuesday for a 60-day session. Lawmakers will develop a budget for state government using proposals from legislative committees and the governor.

~~ snip ~~

New Mexico anticipated a record amount of revenues next year because of economic growth and high energy prices boosting taxes and royalties from oil and natural gas production.

About $720 million in "new money" is projected for the 2008 budget year, which starts July 1.

The governor already has outlined many of his tax initiatives, including an income tax exemption for active duty military personnel and a refundable income tax credit aimed at helping low-wage workers. Tax cuts are not part of the state budget, but any new permanent tax reduction is taken into account in writing the budget because they lower the state's revenues.

[CedarDave]

I couldn't let this one go by. Increasing state government spending by 11% is obscene. And it comes pretty much as a result of oil and natural gas revenues. However, King Bill and his environmental cronies are at the same time doing their best to keep promising areas off limits for drilling and increasing regulation on the industry. When the revenues drop and all the programs still have to be funded, Richardson will be long gone but the piper will still have to be paid.

[NormsRevenge]

In California, that rate is the average the last few years. :-) but I agree, it is obscene.

[Uncle Miltie]

I want an 11% budget increase too. I'll just inform my employer of the new tax I'm applying.

[Unicorn]

Just Bill Clintons mexican pimp trying to keep his full blown liberal face on the TV and in the papers.

[taxed2death]

I'll bet if they booted every illegal out of NM they could cut the budget by 11%.

Instead they choose to screw over the taxpayers.....again.

[johnny7]

Si se puede!

[Rogle]

Oh but we cannot do that, King Bill by Governors decree established NM as a Sanctuary State.

[greyfoxx39]

New Mexico is a much poorer state than California. Richardson is spending a one time windfall.

[Rogle]

Public schools and higher education accounted for much of the governor's proposed budget increase. The governor recommended ... a 9.1 percent increase in spending, or $208 million.

That on top of a K-12 only total budget last year of 2.16 Billion. That is a lot for a state that is the 5 largest by area and about the 5 smallest in population.