Governor freezes capital outlay projects

October 26, 2009

Gov. Bill Richardson today announced he was halting capital outlay projects until January, when the New Mexico Legislature is expected to decide which capital outlay projects it will cut to help eliminate a continuing state budget deficit.

“I am taking this bold action since the legislature chose not to cut even one dime of its pork projects,” Gov. Bill Richardson said in a press release. “These pork projects should be the first to be cut before we take any action that affects people.”

The move means local projects that haven’t yet started won’t be able to start if they’re funded by capital outlay money from the governor or a legislator.

That could have a detrimental effect on major projects still in the pipeline for Valencia County and its municipalities, placing them at risk of being cut in January.

During the special legislative session, which ended Friday, a measure, introduced by Sen. Eric Griego, was approved calling for $150 million in cuts to capital outlay projects at January’s regular legislative session.

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