We face an historic budget crisis that we must address with candor, honesty, and determination. We can no longer paint over gaping deficits with rosy projections.We cannot hide runaway spending with dishonest shell games. New Mexicans deserve to know the truth – our financial house is a mess. Recognizing the crisis is the first step toward cleaning it up.
We must make difficult decisions, and the outcomes will set the course for New Mexico’s future.
During the campaign, I made a promise to protect classroom spending and basic health care for those most in need. Preserving these necessities means that we must find savings elsewhere.
Because I believe our budget should be the clearest symbol of New Mexico’s priorities, I have submitted a proposal that cuts away at the waste and excess that has defined government in the past. Restoring the public’s trust in state government begins with reassuring taxpayers that their hard-earned money is not being wasted on bureaucracy and unnecessary programs.
During these difficult times, New Mexicans have no choice but to cut spending in order to make ends meet. As New Mexico’s families are tightening their belts, so too will their government. I began my time in office by reducing my own budget, cutting overall salaries within my cabinet and office by more than 10% and ordering that no cabinet secretary will make more than his or her predecessor. I will reduce the number of political appointees in state government by at least 20%. I have also instructed cabinet secretaries to scrub every corner of their departments to provide further cost-saving recommendations.
I welcome your help as we continue to trim the fat of state government and eliminate unnecessary spending. I invite you to share your ideas for cutting waste by emailing me at
CutWasteTips@state.nm.us. Your input is especially important as we prepare to pass a budget that will determine the fiscal course of our state for years to come.
I will continue to look for savings and find ways for state government to be more responsible with your tax dollars. As any family or small business knows, responsible budgeting requires long-term planning.