New Mexicans should expect smoother roads and state government employees can look forward to a 1.5 percent cost-of-living adjustment in the upcoming fiscal year under a $7.39 billion spending plan the House Appropriations and Finance Committee unanimously approved Monday.
The proposed budget, which represents a 4.6 percent increase over the current fiscal year, includes $300 million for state and local roads.
The proposal also calls for $64 million for a cost-of-living adjustment for all state government, public school and higher education employees.
“This is the cleanest bill I’ve seen in the last 20 years,” said Rep. Patty Lundstrom, a Gallup Democrat who chairs the committee. “There’s no love handles on this bill.”
The proposed budget, which will be considered Wednesday by the full House of Representatives, also includes $402 million for economic relief measures, which Lundstrom said is “absolutely critical” to help rebuild New Mexico’s economy.
