Richardson furloughs state government workers for five days

(Updated to include links to Richardson's veto messages.)

Gov. Bill Richardson used his veto pen this afternoon to nix what he said were "irresponsible budget cuts that would have cut critical health services, closed prisons and jeopardized protection for kids."

At the same time, he signed an executive order that furloughs state workers for five days and cuts state agency budgets by an average of 7 percent for the budget year. He also said he would cut at least 84 exempt employee positions, although it's unclear which ones, and how many of those are vacant.

“Since the session ended, I have heard from hundreds to New Mexicans, including many legislators – who want me to exercise my veto pen to preserve those services,” Richardson said in statement. “I understand and share their concerns, particularly in light of the previous budget cuts.

“However, it would be fiscally irresponsible to simply veto this bill and wait for the Legislature to meet again in January – more than half-way through the fiscal year. “Instead, I am signing an Executive Order today that directs more responsible budget cuts across state government.”

Read the veto messages here.

First, here's a look at the details of the furloughs, as ordered:

A. Immediately, the Chief of Staff for the Office of the Governor shall:

i. notify the unions with collective bargaining agreements covering employees at agencies subject to Section 1(A) or Section 1(B) of this Executive Order of the need for furloughs and discuss those furloughs with the unions;

ii. develop a furlough plan that:

a. is limited to those agencies subject to expenditure restrictions under Section 1(A) or Section 1(B) of this Executive Order;

b. is consistent with Regulation 1.7.10.8 NMAC;

c. limits the number of required furlough days, which, if possible, should be no more than five (5) days during fiscal year 2010;

d. to the extent practicable and advisable, given the needs of individual agencies, schedule furlough days in a manner that least affects the provision of services to the public;

e. provides a process for limited exceptions based upon public safety, welfare, and cost-effectiveness; and

iii. seek approval of the furlough plan from the State Personnel Board in accordance with Regulation 1.7.10.8(A) NMAC; and

iv. oversee agency implementation of the approved furlough plan.

B. Agencies subject to the approved furlough plan shall implement the plan.

C. The State Personnel Director shall issue necessary or desirable guidance to affected agencies to implement the approved furlough plan, which guidance shall help agencies avoid overtime or other liabilities during the weeks when the furlough is effective.

Now, here's a look at what else Richardson did with the budget bills:

SIGNED
HB 6 Transfer Reserves to General Fund
HB 16 Reduce Legislative Appropriations
SB 24 School District Flexibility and Insurance
SIGNED WITH LINE ITEM VETOES
HB 17 Reduce General Fund Appropriations
SB 29 STB Auth. for Capital Projects
POCKET VETO
SB 25 School District Cash Balance Transfers

Lastly, here's a look at how much agencies are being ordered to save:

Taxation and Revenue Department
$3,902,300

Department of Finance and Administration
$1,438,800

General Services Department
$892,500

New Mexico Sentencing Commission
$36,200

Public Defender Department
$854,000

Governor
$244,900

Department of Information Technology
$70,400

Personnel Board
$89,500

Public Employee Labor Relations Board
$24,600

Border Authority
$25,700

Tourism Department
$332,300

Economic Development Department
$466,600

Regulation and Licensing Department
$873,100

New Mexico State Fair
$21,800

Gaming Control Board
$314,200

State Racing Commission
$115,700

Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad Commission
$5,000

Office of Military Base Planning and Support
$11,300

Spaceport Authority
$62,300

Cultural Affairs Department
$1,684,400

New Mexico Livestock Board
$58,700

Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department
$995,400

Intertribal Ceremonial Office
$200

State Engineer/Interstate Stream Commission
$1,218,000

Organic Commodity Commission
$9,300

Commission on Status of Women
$39,600

Office of African American Affairs
$41,000

Commission for the Blind
$41,400

Indian Affairs Department
$188,200

Aging and Long-Term Services Department
$1,274,500

Human Services Department, including $16 million that will be replaced by increased federal funds and appropriations from the Tobacco Settlement Program Fund
$28,702,500

Workforce Solutions Department
$402,900

Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
$117,800

Governor's Commission on Disability
$58,500

Developmental Disabilities Planning Council
$131,900

Department of Health, including $2 million that will be replaced by increased federal funds
$10,364,900

Department of Environment
$800,400

Office of the Natural Resources Trustee
$14,400

New Mexico Health Policy Commission
$40,300

Children, Youth and Families Department
$6,023,000

Department of Military Affairs
$566,300

Parole Board
$14,600

Juvenile Parole Board
$6,700

Corrections Department
$11,389,600

Crime Victims Reparation Commission
$71,600

Department of Public Safety
$2,826,100

Homeland Security and Emergency Management Department
$166,600

Public Education Department
$479,900

Higher Education Department
$1,526,900

Total General Fund Savings:
$79,036,800