Gov. Susana Martinez announced this afternoon her executive budget recommendation for fiscal year 2019.
The governor says the proposal prioritizes targeted investments in further growing and diversifying New Mexico’s economy, investing in classrooms to continue strengthening schools and improving child welfare and public safety.
“This budget proposal is all about building on momentum – from our progress in creating jobs and growing and diversifying our economy to boosting our graduation rates to an all-time high and more, my budget priorities are focused on continuing to make life better for the people of New Mexico,” Martinez said. “By focusing our spending on key areas like jobs, schools and public safety, we’ll be able to continue making New Mexico a better place to live, work and raise a family.”
The budget proposal for fiscal year 2019 totals just over $6.23 billion in recurring spending. The governor says she feels that holds growth in government to a responsible and sustainable level while further boosting the state’s cash reserves – which were hit hard by last year’s oil and gas crash – all without raising taxes on New Mexico families and businesses. The proposal also calls for comprehensive tax reform that would allow families and businesses to keep more of what they earn and dramatically stabilize state revenue sources.
Highlights of Martinez’s FY 2019 executive budget recommendation include:
Economy
• $12 million for New Mexico’s nationally recognized job training program (JTIP).
• $10 million for New Mexico’s closing fund, which recruits new companies to the state.
Education and Childcare
• $70 million for classroom spending targeted to provide more instructional materials, increase teacher pay, and reward the highest-performing teachers
• $25 million to improve access to childcare in New Mexico
• $1 million for the Children, Youth and Families Department’s child protective services
Crime
• $5 million for the Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office, as well as additional funding for New Mexico’s judiciary and public defenders
• More than $7 million for salaries (including targeted increases) for New Mexico State Police officers
• $6.8 million for targeted salary increases for corrections, probation and parole officers
The budget proposal also provides funding for a 1-percent salary increase for state employees (with a 2-percent increase for teachers and instructional staff). The recommendation also includes an additional $38 million for Medicaid to continue providing health care to New Mexicans who need it the most. The full executive budget recommendation is available online.
“I’ve always said that budgets reflect our priorities,” Martinez said. “Our priorities continue to be putting the people of New Mexico first – and not asking our hardworking families and businesses to foot the bill for growing government. This budget reflects these priorities and I ask the legislature to join me in putting New Mexicans first by enacting this budget proposal.”