Richard Romero Criticizes Mayor Chavez for Fiscal Irresponsibility

Albuquerque mayoral candidate Richard Romero and former Albuquerque City Treasurer Lou Hoffman spoke at a downtown press conference this morning at Park and 14th where road reconstruction is in progress. The topic was the effective and proper use of city funds. The focus was on the problems being created for things like road projects by the budgetary approach used by current Mayor Marty Chavez. Hoffman, who retired in 2007, formerly served as City Treasurer under Mayor Chavez. He backed up Romero's claims about the negative consequences of the Mayor's budget practices.

Romero also released a statement in which he criticized Chavez for bad budget practices like shifting property tax revenues from capital projects to basic city services, shortchanging the kinds of renovation, building and road projects the city needs now and in the future. Romero characterized Chavez's FY 2009 budget as "fiscally irresponsible" and called for immediate action to bring expenditures in line with revenues.

According to Romero, Mayor Chavez’ recently approved budget takes property tax revenue out of the capital improvement budget and puts it into the general operating budget. This will leave the City without much-needed money to rehabilitate and construct parks, public facilities and roads in the future. In order to stop digging a deeper financial hole, Romero said the City must ensure that future operating costs do not exceed the growth in revenue. Romero also emphasized that there should be no additional shift of property tax revenue from capital projects to basic services.

Unfortunately, according to Romero, the consequences of bad budget practices are already bearing down on us. He cited a recent report by the Trip National Transportation Research Group and the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials that reveals Albuquerque has some of the roughest roads in the nation -- resulting in car owners being soaked for an average of nearly $600 a year in vehicle repair costs. The report says 36 percent of major urban roads in Albuquerque are in poor condition, and an additional 27 percent are in mediocre condition. Click to read the report (pdf).

“With deficit forecasts growing darker by the day, it’s time to get serious about the financial mess we’re in. Our roads are deteriorating, and we’ll have less money for pot hole repairs in the future,” said Romero. "What’s more, Chavez has added new layers of politically appointed jobs to many service departments, while increasing the operating budget of his office by 12 percent in the past year. Meanwhile, at the same time, the City’s general operating fund decreased by 4.5 percent."

Romero described the mayor's lack of fiscal discipline as a combination of "budgetary shell games and bloated bureaucracy."

“The number of political appointments employed at City Hall has surged under Mayor Chavez, and now, more than ever, is not the time to be rewarding political cronies with taxpayer-funded jobs,” said Romero. “It’s not just in the Mayor’s Office but in numerous highly paid political positions he has created in operating departments.”

Romero also pointed out that the growth of politically-appointed jobs under Chavez is unprecedented in Albuquerque’s history.

“Our current Mayor has proven he is unable to operate the City budget within its means,” said Romero. “Simply put, we need new leadership to get us out of this mess.”

To get involved in Richard Romero's mayoral campaign, visit the campaign office at 4605 4th Street NW, Suite A, 87107, on the west side of the street just south of Griegos (map), or contact Zach Mikelson at zach.mikelson@obamaalumni.com or 870-3873. The next training session for volunteers is set for Saturday, June 6, from 10 AM to 1 PM, at the campaign office.

To see our previous posts on the 2009 Albuquerque mayoral race, visit out archive.