Governor Susana Martinez designed to close the state's funding shortfall, while sticking by her vow to avoid tax increases. The plan was announced Tuesday. It preserves funding for economic development and public safety, while deepening cuts at the Legislature and state universities.
It would also make state employees and educators chip in 3.5 percent more on their pension.
So, if someone makes $20,000 annually, their take home pay would be .
"We shouldn鈥檛 punish working families to make them pay for this budget deficit, but that鈥檚 exactly what we are doing. These are working families, plain and simple," said Miles Conway, a representative for .
New Mexico has nearly exhausted operating reserves and is facing a $67 million general fund shortfall due to low oil and gas prices.
The governor's plan would hold spending at $6 billion next year.
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