SANTA FE – State general fund spending would increase by about 11 percent and provide a 6 percent pay increase for public school teachers across New Mexico under a proposal from the lead House budget writing committee.
House Appropriations and Finance Committee Chairwoman Patricia Lundstrom said Monday that the spending plan for the fiscal year beginning July 1 is designed to address a court order to provide more resources for public education.
The $7 billion spending proposal would increase annual public school funding by more than $450 million but stop somewhat short of spending recommendations by Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.
The House bill includes a 4 percent pay increase for nearly all state workers. A surge in state government income also would go toward road construction and film industry incentives.
