New Mexico lawmakers approve emergency court funding
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Legislature approved emergency funding Friday to cover costs for juries, court interpreters and clerk's offices for several months in response to a funding crisis in the Judiciary.
The $900,000 appropriation is designed to halt potential unpaid furloughs for state Supreme Court employees, provide compensation to jurors and restore full-time public access to services provided by court clerks.
Republican Gov. Susana Martinez has until early next week to reject or approve the measure that was strongly opposed by her fellow Republican party members in the Legislature. She has not said whether she supports it or opposes it. If she does nothing, the measure will automatically go into effect.
New Mexico reduced spending by the Judiciary by 3 percent during a special legislative session in October, as the state grapples with plunging tax revenues linked to a downturn in the oil and natural gas sectors, a tepid local economy and a corresponding drop in state revenue.
Read more: http://www.lcsun-news.com/story/news/2017/01/27/new-mexico-lawmakers-approve-emergency-court-funding/97174790/