New Mexico Needs Fiscal Realists
http://newmexicoindependent.com/4664...2010-elections
Secretary of State Mary Herrera is sounding the alarm as loud as she can at the Roundhouse: there isn’t enough money for 2010 primary or general election.
Quote:
In a letter sent to legislators Herrera says as of now the state is $467,800 short for the primary and $784,450 short for the general election.
“I’m screaming,” said Herrera, “because they need to know to fund New Mexico elections.”
The Secretary of State’s office faced similar situation in 2008, so they went to the state board of finance for a loan. That loan is still outstanding at the board. The outstanding balance isn’t an obstacle when approaching the finance board again, Herrera told state lawmakers. But it’s that the board has only $1.5 million to cover disasters around the state and Herrera’s office would need the $1.2 million of that to put on the elections.
“We’ve made cuts where we can,” said Herrera, pointing out the dollars she is asking for are just enough to cover the elections after her office has already made cuts.
Herrera says the board of Finance has asked her office to go to the legislature before returning to them for a 2010 loan. So far, lawmakers have yet to respond. When asked what would happen if the state doesn’t come through with the needed money, Herrera says simply “I don’t know, I just don’t know.”
