THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO HAS BUDGETED 925 MILLION DOLLARS FOR PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS AROUND THE STATE. MANY SAY IT COULD BE GOOD FOR OUR ECONOMY. SOME OF THE FUNDS ARE TO BE USED FOR REPAIRING AGING STATE BUILDINGS, ROAD IMPROVEMENTS, PROJECTS AT UNIVERSITIES, AND SPACEPORT AMERICA. BUT THE QUESTION IS IF THE STATE CAN MAKE SURE THE MONEY IS PROPERLY SPENT.
NEW MEXICO HAS A HISTORY OF MISSPENDING CAPITAL OUTLAY MONEY. THE ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL REPORTS STATE DEMOCRATIC REP PATRICIA LUNDSTROM FROM GALLUP SAYS MANY LOCAL GOVERNMENTS WANT THE MONEY TO BE ALLOCATED RIGHT AWAY.
AS OF MARCH, THE STATE HAS A BACKLOG OF 737-MILLION DOLLARS IN OUTLAY CAPITAL FUNDS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN SPENT, MAKING UP MORE THAN 16-HUNDRED PROJECTS.
