Archive for January 26, 2009
Senator Beffort Provides Legislative Update
by John Weckerle
At the Estancia Basin Resource Association (EBRA) annual meeting Saturday, Senator Sue Wilson Beffort provided an update on developments occurring during this legislative session.
Ms. Beffort, who sits on the Senate Finance Committee, indicated that, as currently predicted, expenditures would outweigh tax revenues by $454 million over the next fiscal year, and that number could swell to over $1 billion by next fiscal year. Because the state cannot indulge in deficite spending, Ms. Beffort indicated that some programs may see reductions in funding. According to the Senator, some water programs – which have seen substantial spending in recent years – may be reduced this year. Ms. Beffort indicated that funding in some programs had gone to technologies that “didn’t work,” and that the Finance Committee would be examining that issue this session. Ms. Beffort also indicated that the Senate Finance Committee was proceeding carefully to ensure that key priorities, such as education, forest management, and people relying on public assistance would not be severely impacted. Ms. Beffort also referenced 416 appointed positions recently created by the Richardson administration, suggesting that expenditures needed to support those positions would be a topic of discussion. »» Senator Beffort Provides Legislative Update