THE NEW MEXICO SENATE HAS OVERWHELMINGLY APPROVED A 6.3 BILLION DOLLAR STATE BUDGET FOR NEXT FISCAL YEAR. THE VOTE WAS 40-2. THE SPENDING PLAN NOW GOES BACK TO THE HOUSE TO CONSIDER AMENDMENTS.
THE SENATE VERSION INCREASES FUNDING FOR THE BERNALILLO COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE…BUT NOT AS MUCH AS THE D-A HAD ASKED FOR TO BATTLE THE ALBUQUERQUE AREA’S GROWING CRIME PROBLEM. THE BUDGET BILL ALSO PROVIDES 2-PERCENT PAY RAISES FOR MOST STATE WORKERS.
