To some, it sounds like the latest in a list of Halloween-type scares: If Gov. Bill Richardson signs the budget cuts lawmakers approved last week, state parks could close, firefighters could get less training, public employees could be furloughed and there could be "an inability to provide sanitary conditions in parks statewide."

That was the administration's latest missive Friday about looming budget cuts, the fifth this week warning about what the Richardson administration says could be the consequences of the $253 million lawmakers cut in spending in the special session.

Earlier, press releases said the plan would mean reductions in children's health care and nutrition programs for seniors, closing two state prisons and releasing up to 660 prisoners.

Statements issued Thursday said that under the cuts, "many more seniors will go hungry" and that they would "threaten the safety of children and families in every corner of the state."

Several legislators downplayed what they said were scary and accusatory tones in the releases, saying it's up to Richardson to decide where to make the cuts.

"If he doesn't want to shut down prisons and parks, he can just veto the agency cuts that are in the bill," said House Minority Leader Tom Taylor, R-Farmington.

"If he chooses to do this by letting our prisoners out and closing state parks, making it as painful as possible and then blaming the Legislature, that's his prerogative," Taylor said.

Richardson's office said the suggestion it is using scare tactics is "just rhetoric."

"The administration is thoroughly reviewing the impact of the budget bills — something legislators should have done before they rushed out of Santa Fe to go home," spokesman Gilbert Gallegos said in an e-mail.

Lawmakers have said they did their best with the budget and gave Richardson discretion over where to cut.

They also say he's got a pot of federal stimulus money that could be used toward the deficit.

Richardson's office counters that it's dealing with a bill that, as written, doesn't do what the Legislature says it intended, including holding Medicaid harmless.

"We are truly trying to grapple with a very poorly drafted bill that doesn't do what the Legislature 'intended,' " Gallegos wrote.

Several lawmakers said they were surprised by the approach Richardson is using.

"Instead of taking this as a serious effort to find savings, the governor, just in time for Halloween, is issuing a lot of scary press releases that don't reflect the job at hand," said Brian Egolf, D-Santa Fe.

"It is a very used-up tactic to say that your opponent is hurting widows and orphans and the poor," Egolf said. "That's the page of the playbook the governor is using and it's certainly not productive."

During the session, many lawmakers complained that Richardson tied their hands by not allowing them to increase revenue, but at the same time asking them not to cut education or Medicaid. Some said this week they did what he asked, but yet are getting blamed for other cuts that had to be made.

While Taylor and others acknowledge that declining oil and gas revenues — one factor in the budget crisis — are beyond the state's control, they suggest Richardson should have asserted more authority over what the state can control.

"The fact of the matter is that for a year a we've had declining revenues in the state," Taylor said. "He'd put on a hiring freeze, but not for real, so really nothing has been done."

"There should have been significant reductions in spending going on over the last year."

At the State Parks Division, officials said in a statement Friday the cuts could mean parks would have to close. Under current budget restrictions, the division already has closed Bluewater State Park for the winter.

Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department Secretary Joanna Prukop said the cuts "will have a dramatic impact on this agency's ability to serve the citizens of New Mexico and to ensure the protection of the environment."

The Legislature's cuts could mean reduced maintenance of grounds, trails and structures in parks, delays in processing all new applications to drill for oil and gas and fewer forest-restoration projects statewide, she said.

"These service reductions will impact New Mexicans," Prukop said. "Due to furloughs and vacancies throughout the department, the public can expect delays in processing applications, financial payments, permitting, contracts and agreements."

Richardson has until Nov. 12 to sign, veto or partially veto the cuts.

Lt. Gov. Diane Denish, meanwhile, released a summary of the calls to a government efficiency hot line her office set up to garner money-saving suggestions.

The top idea was about eliminating double dippers, something the Legislature approved this year, but Richardson vetoed.

Other suggestions included having fewer employees who serve at the pleasure at the governor and eliminating government take-home cars and SUVs.

She wasn't available Friday on questions about whether she agreed with Richardson's statements on the budget.

Contact Kate Nash at 986-3036 or knash@sfnewmexican.com. Read her blog at www.greenchilechatter.com.