SANTA FE – A slate of deficit reduction measures has cleared its first major hurdle in the New Mexico Legislature as the state wrestles with how to close a major budget shortfall.
The Democrat-led Senate adjourned after quickly approving a series of budget balancing proposals that would shrink state agency spending, sweep together idle dollars from government and school district accounts, delay pending tax cuts and rein in tax breaks.
That left efforts to balance the state general fund budget Saturday in the hands of the Republican-controlled House, where attention has dwelled on criminal justice initiatives backed by Republican Gov. Susana Martinez – including a bid to reinstate the death penalty.
The House on Saturday approved a proposal for mandatory life sentences for people convicted of intentional child abuse resulting in death, regardless of a child’s age, by a 61-1 vote.
New Mexico finished the budget year in June with a $131 million deficit after exhausting operating reserves, and has a projected budget shortfall for current year of $458 million if budget changes are not made.
Rep. Paul Bandy, R-Aztec, likened budget negotiations between the House and Senate to a tennis game. “Now it is up to us to return the serve,” he said.
House Republican leaders said they are likely to revise Senate-proposed spending cuts to agencies overseeing public education, public safety and child welfare.
