Governor signs $6 billion budget bill into law

Richardson vetoes measure that would've forced state employees to use Rail Runner

Barry Massey | The Associated Press

2/12/2008 -

Gov. Bill Richardson signed into law Tuesday a $6 billion budget measure to finance operations of public education and general government next year.

The governor used his line-item veto powers to eliminate a number of provisions in the measure, including one intended to force state employees to use the state's commuter rail system for government travel.

In his veto message, the governor said he did not eliminate any appropriation of "major significance."

However, Richardson vetoed $3 million of federal grant money that was to go for a program that extends the school year for children in kindergarten through third grade in high-poverty schools.

Last year, a law was enacted to create a six-year pilot project for kindergarten plus programs.

"With only a partial year of implementation outside a small pilot under our belt, let's see the results before we add more money to an already substantial budget," Richardson said in his veto message.

The budget, as signed, provides for a spending increase of slightly more than 6 percent — or about $346 million — in the fiscal year that starts July 1.

The governor vetoed $2.9 million in spending items from the state's main budget account and $3 million in federal funding for the education program.

In addition, the governor rejected about $9.9 million to pay for one-time projects. Of that, nearly $6.3 million was to go to colleges and universities for a backlog of maintenance on buildings and other infrastructure. For example, about $793,000 was for Santa Fe Community College, nearly $856,000 for Western New Mexico University, $363,000 for San Juan College and $1.5 million at the Taos campus of The University of New Mexico.

The vetoed commuter rail provision would have prohibited the use of money in the budget for mileage reimbursements to state employees or travel in government vehicles between cities served by the Rail Runner. Senate Republican Whip Leonard Lee Rawson of Las Cruces sponsored the restriction and Richardson said it "would have impermissibly intruded into the executive managerial function."

"The state's business may demand that car travel be utilized between (and within) cities served by the Rail Runner, and the executive must be able to do so when necessary," Richardson wrote in his veto message.

He said he would encourage executive branch workers to use the Rail Runner "when appropriate, consistent with the paramount goal of effectively and efficiently delivering services to state citizens."

Currently, the Rail Runner operates between Belen and Bernalillo. Construction is under way to expand service to Santa Fe is expected to be finished late this year.

Richardson used line-item vetoes to eliminate a number of provisions that required executive branch agencies to make periodic reports to the Legislature. Among other vetoes:

• $750,000 to increase rates paid to providers for some services to the developmentally disabled.
• $700,000 for rates increases to child care providers.
• $230,000 for truancy court in the 2nd Judicial District.
• $450,000 for soil conservation districts to match federal funds.
• $150,000 to the state Department of Agriculture to provide fresh produce to schools.
• $160,000 to reimburse school districts for home schooled students who qualify for special education services.
• $1.425 million for a college affordability endowment fund.
• $130,000 for an economic development doctorate program at New Mexico State University.
• $40,000 for the Indigenous Media Art Center at UNM's Gallup branch campus.
• $50,000 for a range improvement task force at NMSU.
  

The budget bill is House Bill 2.