Governor Outlines Budget Proposals To Lawmakers

SANTA FE, N.M.(AP) – State spending on general government operations, public schools and higher education would increase by slightly more than 6 percent under a budget proposal by Gov. Bill Richardson.

Secretary of Finance and Administration Katherine Miller outlined the governor’s spending recommendations Monday to a House committee that handles the budget.

The Legislature convenes next week for a 30-day session but the budget panel starts work early.

The governor proposed spending about $6 billion from the state’s general budget account in the 2009 fiscal year, which starts next July.

That’s about $362 million higher than spending in the current budget year. Richardson recommends a $119 million increase for public schools, the Department of Education and other education programs.

That’s almost a 5 percent increase in spending.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)