The letting go of exempt employees from state government apparently has begun.

Gov. Bill Richardson's office didn't return messages seeking comment on the matter Tuesday, but an e-mail obtained by The New Mexican appears to confirm at least one person was told his job is ending.

In an e-mail that says it is from Bruce Kohl, head of the Securities Division at the Regulation and Licensing Department, Kohl says "due to the budgetary reductions mandated by the Legislature at the recently concluded special session, my exempt position has been terminated."

Kohl's last day is in early January, according to the e-mail. He didn't return a call seeking comment Tuesday.

Richardson last month said he would eliminate at least 84 exempt or politically appointed positions as part of efforts to trim the state budget. But the Governor's Office since then has given no details on which jobs would get the ax or when. It is unclear how many of those positions are vacant.

Richardson vetoed a Legislature-approved measure that called for him to eliminate 102 exempt jobs to help the state deal with its budget crisis.

Richardson has ordered most state employees to accept five days without pay as a way to trim more than $10 million from the budget. The planned dates for the furloughs are pending before the State Personnel Board, which is scheduled to meet Dec. 16.

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