Better Choices NM Urges Gov. Richardson to Line-Item Veto Agency Cuts, Protect Education & Medicaid

Better Choices New Mexico (BCNM) announced in a statement released today that the group sent a letter to Governor Bill Richardson last week asking him to take swift yet strategic action as he addresses legislation passed during the recent special legislative session. Click to read a copy of the letter (pdf). Excerpt:

We urge you to line-item veto Section 2.A.(4) of HAFC substitute for HB17 & 33 as amended, eliminating the Legislature's requirement for aggregate agency cuts of 7.6 percent. We would also like to strongly emphasize that the subsequent subsections of paragraph (4) outlining agency and program exemptions must be observed should you consider additional executive action for budget reduction, in lieu of this section of the bill. Certainly we urge you to honor the Legislature's clear intention to hold all Medicaid funding harmless from budget cuts.

Before the special session convened, BCNM warned about the human consequences of a cuts-only approach to the budget deficit, and released information documenting 20 specific ways the cuts would hurt New Mexicans in their "20 Ways/20 Days" campaign. The Governor has until November 12 to sign or veto bills in whole or in part.

BCNM is a group of small business organizations, faith leaders, working families, education employees, lawmakers, and various advocacy groups, formed to offer alternatives to continued state budget cuts. The alliance believes that legislators and the Governor must take a balanced approach to addressing New Mexico’s fiscal crisis, an approach that reflects consideration of all revenue generating mechanisms. Additional information on Better Choices New Mexico and related resources is available at www.betterchoicesnewmexico.com.

Better Choices New Mexico members that signed on to the letter: Lutheran Advocacy Ministry • NM Conference of Churches • American Federation of Teachers–New Mexico • National Education Association–New Mexico • AFSCME • Communications Workers of America–Local 7076 • Center for Civic Policy • SouthWest Organizing Project • Conservation Voters New Mexico • Community Action New Mexico • America Votes Education & Action Fund • New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness • New Mexico Solutions • New Mexico Youth Providers Alliance • New Mexico Early Childhood Alliance • Families and Youth, Inc. • Family Justice Alliance • New Mexico School Nurses Association • New Mexico Coalition Against Domestic Violence • Planned Parenthood of New Mexico • Hands Across Cultures • Hogares, Inc. • New Mexico Child Care and Education Association • New Mexico Voices for Children.