SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - Unions representing New Mexico state employees are speaking out against Gov. Susana Martinez’s plan to save money by furloughing government workers.
State Personnel Director Justin Najaka sent letters to union leaders this week letters indicating Martinez is moving forward with the furloughs. The notice comes after warnings from Martinez that New Mexico could run out of cash before the budget year ends in June, The Santa Fe New Mexican reported (https://bit.ly/2q67R1e).
But union leaders are not convinced the state is as cash-strapped as Martinez has claimed.
They argue the furlough plan is a political stunt by the Republican governor, who has been in an ongoing standoff with Democratic lawmakers over the budget.
“We do not believe that the State of New Mexico is in a financial situation which requires the furlough of any state employee in (fiscal year) 2017,” said Christine Derr, executive director of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 18.
Najaka’s letter asked union leaders to meet this week about the furlough plans but Derr rejected the request. She instead asked for more information about the proposal and New Mexico’s finances.
While Martinez has spoken publicly in recent months about ordering government workers to take days off without pay, her administration has not yet released details about how many workers would be affected by the decision.
Democrats and unions claim the state has enough money to make payroll until July. They point to a report last week showing the state is generating more revenue than expected.
New Mexico’s general fund is projected to close out the current fiscal year at $54 million, or 1 percent above expectations, according to the Legislative Finance Committee report.
Joseph Cueto, a spokesman for the state personnel office, said in an email Martinez does not want to furlough employees “but she has to leave everything on the table to solve our cash crisis.”
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Information from: The Santa Fe New Mexican, https://www.sfnewmexican.com
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