Santa Fe, NM - Today, the House Republican Caucus announced their budget plan for fiscal year 2018 in advance of next week's special legislative session in Santa Fe. The Republican plan would meet the funding needs of state government operations and increase support for critical health and education programs without increasing the tax burden on New Mexicans.
The plan crafted by House Republican legislators will provide funding for critical government services like institutions of higher education, the legislative branch and magistrate courts for FY2018 and protect against the possibility of state employee layoffs.
The House Republican plan will also provide a 27% funding increase for UNM Cancer Center as well as an additional $2 million to support needs-based higher educational assistance for low to middle income students.
"New Mexicans are demanding that we end the political brinksmanship and get real about the state's budget," said Rep. Larry Larrañaga (R-Bernalillo). "This plan covers New Mexico's budget needs for the upcoming fiscal year and increases funding for cancer care as well as support for students working to obtain a college degree. I urge my colleagues in the Legislature to adopt these proposals so we can resolve this budget impasse fairly and for the benefit of all New Mexicans."
Support for Cancer Care
The NM Democrat budget for FY 2018 slashed precious funding for the UNM Cancer Center and Pediatric Oncology services. The House Republican plan would reverse these cuts and increase funding by $1 million, representing a 27% increase for cancer care services.
Financial Assistance for NM College Students
The Democrat-designed budget also cut higher education financial assistance programs by $700,000. Programs affected by this cut include needs-based aid programs such as the student incentive program for dental and veterinary students and work study assistance. Financial aid for Vietnam Veterans would also be affected.
The House Republican plan blocks these cuts and provides an additional $2 million in higher educational financial assistance.
Shared Sacrifice
Instead of raising taxes on hard-working New Mexico families, the House Republican budget proposes to shift approximately $12.5 million from the Legislative Retirement Fund to the state's General Fund for operating expenses.
Currently, the Legislative Retirement Fund is funded at 145% of solvency. By comparison, the state general plan for active state employees is funded at 67% of solvency and the retirement fund for New Mexico's teachers is funded at 62%.
Pause Pet Pork Projects
House Republicans will request a one-year suspension of legislator-designated funding for pork-barrel projects to make approximately $60 million available for the state's general fund.
The House Republican Caucus advocated for this idea during the regular session, but Democrats rejected the proposal to protect pork projects like fish hatchery improvements, railroad passenger car upgrades and office repairs.
"These ideas bridge the divide between the proposals advanced by Democrat leadership in the Legislature and the concerns raised by Governor Martinez," said Larrañaga. "New Mexicans want this situation resolved quickly to remove the cloud of uncertainty hanging over the state's budget. This plan meets everyone's goals without harming New Mexico's families with unnecessary tax increases. I look forward to discussing these reasonable proposals with my Democrat colleagues as we prepare for the special session next week."
The New Mexico Legislature will convene in Santa Fe for a special session on Tuesday, May 24, 2017, at 12 noon.