Comments on: Day three: Gov. Richardson, state lawmakers lock horns

By: Vince Ramos

Vince Ramos — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 18:07:20 +0000

A Look at NM Legislature's Budget Repair Options. (NYT) 10/19/09 http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/10/19/busi... Among the options: “More than $1 billion approved for capital improvement projects has not been spent.”
“Bond proceeds pay for most projects but general tax dollars finance some. Lawmakers and the governor have proposed canceling capital projects to free up one-time money. For projects financed with general tax dollars, the Legislature can swap the financing to bonds. The tax revenues could help with the budget shortfall and the projects remain alive.”

By: Dr Benway

Dr Benway — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 17:29:50 +0000

Live blog transcript: http://newmexicoindependent.com/author/nmi
Today (day three): http://newmexicoindependent.com/39642/now-nmi-l... -

By: Vince Ramos

Vince Ramos — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 17:23:41 +0000

Be sure to not miss the blow by blow account of this rodeo on the NMI live blog – wonderfully entertaining to see exactly what $50,000 of your tax dollars is paying for on a daily basis …unfortunately for the most part it's a lot like sitting in a taxi that's stuck in traffic with the meter running.

By: southvalley

southvalley — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 17:11:51 +0000

You got it! And we still may

By: Vince Ramos

Vince Ramos — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 17:07:20 +0000

By: Dr_Benway

Dr_Benway — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 16:29:50 +0000

Live blog transcript: http://newmexicoindependent.com/author/nmi
Today (day three): http://newmexicoindependent.com/39642/now-nmi-l... -

By: Vince Ramos

Vince Ramos — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 16:23:41 +0000

By: southvalley

southvalley — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 16:11:51 +0000

You got it! And we still may

By: Dr_Benway

Dr_Benway — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:53:34 +0000

Day three and among other things we're paying $50,000 a day for this nonsense.
Last July Legislature had funded 1.3 billion dollars worth of capital outlay projects – reportedly most of these haven't been started and in some cases are actually no longer needed. (see http://www.nmlegis.gov/lcs/lfc/lfcdocs/2009%20J...). So why you might ask is it that NM teacher salaries and immediate classroom needs are on the chopping block?

By: Fedup77

Fedup77 — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:08:12 +0000

Repeal the double dipping law (override Richardson's veto) and you will save hundreds of millions.