NEW MEXICO’S GOVERNOR IS DIRECTING CABINET SECRETARIES TO SUBMIT EMPLOYEE FURLOUGH PLANS. THE ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL REPORTS THOSE PLANS COULD BE ROLLED OUT AS EARLY AS NEXT WEEK.
DEMOCRATIC HOUSE SPEAKER BRIAN EGOLF SAYS THERE’S NO NEED FOR THE FURLOUGHS AND OTHER TOP RANKING DEMOCRATS SAY GOVERNOR MARTINEZ’S MOVE IS POLITICALLY MOTIVATED.
DESPITE THE DIRECTIVE, MARTINEZ’S OFFICE SAYS THEY COULD STILL AVOID THE UNPAID FURLOUGHS IF LEGISLATORS CAN COME TO A BUDGET AGREEMENT WITH THE GOVERNOR. MARTINEZ MET WITH EGOLF AND SENATE MAJORITY LEADER PETER WIRTH LAST WEEK BUT DID NOT REACH AN AGREEMENT.
