FGGAM MEDIA CENTER RECEIVED THIS NEWS RELEASE THIS AFTERNOON:
House Republicans seek answers for the sake of every New Mexican
Santa Fe, NM– After weeks of Government imposed shutdowns and plummeting oil prices, House Republicans would like for Governor Lujan Grisham’s to address the following questions concerning the budget crisis:
- Municipalities across the state, including the City of Santa Fe, have recently notified employees of pending furloughs to address their budget crises. Is your Administration planning to furlough state employees to help reduce the $400 million budget hole in the current fiscal year?
- There are $1.8 billion in total state reserves (which could be closer to $1.4 billion after closing out Fiscal Year 2020). How far should the state draw down those reserves? What is the proper mix of spending down state reserves combined with spending cuts to balance the state budget?
- Has your Administration estimated the fiscal and economic impact to the state’s economy since the Public Health Order was issued? If so, what has the cost been?
- The Speaker and Chair of the House Appropriations and Finance committee have said that everything is on the table to address the budget shortfall. Does your administration plan to increase taxes to close the budget gap? If so, which taxes do you plan on increasing?
- The oil and gas industry’s make up 45% of the state’s budget revenues. With oil prices and oil production at historic lows, how does your Administration plan to balance the state budget without these vital resources?
Democrat leadership has insisted a mid to late-June session is soon enough to address the state’s freefalling economy. The people of New Mexico, the small business community, and journalists from across the state should be kept informed of these specific issues as the crisis continues.