Northwest New Mexico Council of Governments
Director's Corner
How to Crush a 60-Day Session into a Week.
Leaving the Special Session, I reflected on the fact that it was only seven days long, yet I felt as if I had endured a full-boar, 60-day regular session. Yet there was a big difference—instead of focusing on how to spend the State’s tax dollars, we were figuring out how and where to cut, save and economize in that spending. This difference was dramatic. Complex debates and decisions were made but not without a struggle by both Houses.
With the passage of HB17 and other legislation, the State has actionable items to help reach solvency, but this will be a major issue again in the regular session in January. We learned during the Special Session that our shortfall was actually closer to $1 billion, since we would have to deal not only with this year’s budget, but also with the task of creating a balanced budget for the next fiscal year (FY 2011, starting in July 2010).
The COG itself is directly effected by cuts across the board to DFA/LGD, and the COG is already implementing proactive strategies; reducing travel and other non-base operational expenses; and adjusting our budget to combat potential cuts and annual budget shortfalls.
The effect of the Governor’s move to freeze capital outlay has put many of the local governments in a panic. The COG stands ready to assist you to work through the DFA process to fortify contracted projects.
In the Winter 2010 Legislative Session, we will again take up the task of reducing budgets and finding other savings, including the capital outlay “claw-back.” It will be stressful and contentious, but it will also present us with an opportunity to re-think our budget picture, clarify the State’s funding priorities and strategize for the future.
~Patty Lundstrom
Leaving the Special Session, I reflected on the fact that it was only seven days long, yet I felt as if I had endured a full-boar, 60-day regular session. Yet there was a big difference—instead of focusing on how to spend the State’s tax dollars, we were figuring out how and where to cut, save and economize in that spending. This difference was dramatic. Complex debates and decisions were made but not without a struggle by both Houses.
With the passage of HB17 and other legislation, the State has actionable items to help reach solvency, but this will be a major issue again in the regular session in January. We learned during the Special Session that our shortfall was actually closer to $1 billion, since we would have to deal not only with this year’s budget, but also with the task of creating a balanced budget for the next fiscal year (FY 2011, starting in July 2010).
The COG itself is directly effected by cuts across the board to DFA/LGD, and the COG is already implementing proactive strategies; reducing travel and other non-base operational expenses; and adjusting our budget to combat potential cuts and annual budget shortfalls.
The effect of the Governor’s move to freeze capital outlay has put many of the local governments in a panic. The COG stands ready to assist you to work through the DFA process to fortify contracted projects.
In the Winter 2010 Legislative Session, we will again take up the task of reducing budgets and finding other savings, including the capital outlay “claw-back.” It will be stressful and contentious, but it will also present us with an opportunity to re-think our budget picture, clarify the State’s funding priorities and strategize for the future.
~Patty Lundstrom