Gov. Bill Richardson would have to reduce the salaries and benefits for 102 political appointees rather than 80, if an amendment to the budget bill is approved by the House.

Sixty two of those exempt positions are vacant, meaning the governor would only have to trim 38 positions instead of the 18 required in the original bill.

The exempt provision was sponsored by Sen. John Ryan, R-Albuquerque, and was the fifth amendment to the budget bill that originated in the House.

Ryan’s amendment follows a flurry of bills filed this week that would limit the governor’s ability to hire political appointees.

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