Gov. Martinez Gives State Of The State Address

Gov. Susana Martinez gave the State of the State address from the New Mexico House of Representatives on Tuesday.

Martinez discussed the challenge the state faced over the past year with handling the largest structural budget deficit in New Mexico’s history, which turned into a projected $250 million surplus.

“I?m proud of the fact that we were able to work together ? the Legislature and the Governor ? Democrats and Republicans,” Martinez said in her address.

Money was cut from many areas of the New Mexico government, from spending cuts and selling the state’s jet, to reducing salaries and even cutting the chef from the governor’s residence.

Martinez also said keeping their priorities in sight was just as important as spending cuts.

“Over the past year, school districts throughout the state had to do more with less, but they did it by cutting administrative waste and increasing the percentage of their funding that goes directly into the classroom,” Martinez said.

Martinez also spoke on her proposed plan to keep the budget in check and promote spending in areas that benefit area residents and their children.

“Exactly half of the new spending ? $97 million ? is targeted toward improving our local schools,” said Martinez.

The governor also outlined some of the problems the state will face in the upcoming year, and her plans on tackling each one.