I am writing today to announce the closure of the New Mexico Independent. After three and a half years of operation in New Mexico, the board of the American Independent News Network, has decided to shift publication of its news…
While environmental activists played their part yesterday during demonstrations at the capitol building, going so far as to dress up as solar panels and to sing the tune of “You Are My Sunshine,” their counterparts, the anti-cap-and-trade contingency who has…
Roughly one quarter of University of New Mexico students are unimpressed with the state’s flagship public school, according to a survey that questioned college students about their higher education experiences.
In a straight party-line vote, the New Mexico House passed a $5.6 billion budget Friday evening. Both sides of the aisle dug deep over a budget that neither is happy with. For Democrats, it was tough decisions over where to cut; for Republicans, the argument was to cut more.
“We’re in very tough times and we’re just hitting bottom - and we’re not going to get up soon,” said Rep. Henry “Kiki” Saavadra, D-Albuquerque and the sponsor of the bill.
For more than two hours, the House fought back and forth over the budget that is slimmed down to meet the state’s shrinking revenue. Republicans introduced a measure to cut the state budget 5.6 percent across the board, but it was defeated.
“As long as I’m chairman and I can find the money, I’m not going to cut,” Saavedra said during the debate.
“We want to make sure the pocket of the taxpayers is protected like the pocket book of the state is protected,” replied Rep. Keith Gardener, R-Roswell, ”We still have a $226 million deficit facing us in 2012.”
Shorty after the measure passed, Gov. Bill Richardson issued these comments in a news release:
“I commend the House for making tough choices and crafting a framework that gets us closer to a balanced budget. I appreciate the balanced approach taken by the House to rely on targeted spending cuts and new revenue to deal with the deficit. However, I continue to have reservations about tax increases that could hurt our efforts to create jobs. I look forward to working with the Senate as it deliberates over targeted spending cuts and revenue options.”
The measure now moves on to the Senate, where tax increases and light cuts are expected to fight an uphill battle.
