STATE LAWMAKERS NOW KNOW WHAT THE GOVERNOR WANTS IN THE NEXT SESSION. GOVERNOR MARTINEZ HAS RELEASED DETAILS OF HER 6-POINT-46 BILLION DOLLAR BUDGET PROPOSAL. IT’S AN INCREASE OF 3-POINT-7 PERCENT, OR 228 MILLION DOLLARS.
SPENDING INITIATIVES INCLUDE MONEY FOR PUBLIC SAFETY AND EDUCATION. STARTING TEACHERS, FOR INSTANCE, WOULD GET A RAISE FROM 34-THOUSAND TO 36 THOUSAND DOLLARS A YEAR.
THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE SAYS 66 PERCENT OF ALL STATE AGENCIES WILL HAVE FLAT BUDGETS DUE TO THE VOLATILITY IN STATE REVENUE CAUSED BY LOW OIL AND NATURAL GAS PRICES.
