Albuquerque, December 4--The following is Republican Party Chairman Steve Pearce's statement regarding Gov. Lujan Grisham's rapid-hire event for state workers next week:

"After nearly a year in office, the Governor can't seem to get her workforce in order. Again, she is looking to add hundreds of jobs to the roles at the taxpayers' expense. Such a mass hire could cost New Mexicans tens of millions of dollars while the Administration fattens its bureaucracy. Why are more state workers suddenly needed? This is simply a burden on our citizens. More government is wasteful and expensive. New Mexicans will pay the price. We must be more efficient and prudent in the way we run our State."