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We the people need to re-elect Senator Ben Altamirano
Monday, March 22, 2004
Senator Ben D. Altamirano, New Mexico Participates in State Strategies to Manage Budget Shortfalls
December 1996
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------Preface and Acknowledgments
In mid-1991, several members of the Foundation for State Legislatures convened to discuss how they could assist in the development of sound state fiscal policy. They concurred that they could pool their resources to examine specific areas of state tax policy and then make recommendations. This group, known as the Foundation Fiscal Partners, supports the Fiscal Affairs Project, a continuing effort to increase, enhance and communicate state fiscal information.
One of the goals of the Fiscal Affairs Project is to improve the dialogue among state legislators, business representatives and other organizations interested in decisions on state fiscal policy. By increasing awareness of different perspectives and improving communication among the participants, these groups can develop an effective partnership to address such concerns as fair and stable tax systems and sound budgeting practices.
The Fiscal Affairs Project has supported the work of the NCSL Fiscal Affairs Program in several ways. Most notably, the project has produced three major publications: (1) Principles of a High-Quality State Revenue System; (2) Fundamentals of Sound State Budgeting Practices; and (3) this report, State Strategies to Manage Budget Shortfalls.
State Strategies to Manage Budget Shortfalls is the work of many contributors: legislators, legislative staff and representatives from the Foundation for State Legislatures. Besides drawing upon the expertise of those who directly participated, the NCSL staff who wrote this report relied on numerous state experts including several NCSL staff with substantive knowledge and expertise on specific state programs.
Corina Eckl, Scott Mackey and Ronald Snell are the principal authors of this report. Other fiscal staff contributing to this report were Arturo Pérez and Mandy Rafool. Any views expressed in this report are the responsibility of the authors and should not be attributed to the participating legislators, legislative staff or sponsoring organizations.
The authors wish to thank the numerous state experts and NCSL staff who provided case studies, offered substantive comments or reviewed sections of the report. These individuals were Don Judy of Kentucky's Legislative Research Commission, Bill Goodman of Arkansas' Bureau of Legislative Research, Liz Hill of California's Legislative Analyst Office, Diane Warriner of Pennsylvania's House Republican Appropriations Committee, Robert Bittenbender of Pennsylvania's Executive Budget Department, Sally Tubbesing of Maine's Legislative Council, Arthur Porter of New York's State-Local Relations Staff, Glen Tittermary of Virginia's Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission, Betsy Daly of Virginia's Senate Finance Committee, Bill Sheldrake of Indiana's Fiscal Policy Institute, Mike Groesch of Washington's Senate Ways and Means Committee, John Walker of Michigan's Senate Fiscal Agency, Jeffrey Schmied of Arizona's Joint Legislative Budget Committee, Claire Drowota of Tennessee's Oversight Committee on Corrections, Susan Smith of Tennessee's Fiscal Review Committee and Robin Lubitz of North Carolina's Sentencing and Policy Advisory Commission. The NCSL staff assisting with this report were Julie Bell, Brooke Davidson, Martha King, Donna Lyons, Elizabeth Pearson, Laura Tobler, Jack Tweedie, Terry Whitney, Adelia Yee and Judy Zelio.
The authors also extend special appreciation to Carolyn Alvarez for her expert preparation of the text and tables for this report, to Karen Fisher for her comprehensive and precise editing and to Bruce Holdeman for his cover design.
Participating Legislators and Legislative Staff
Senator Ben D. Altamirano, New Mexico
Representative Jeannette Bell, Wisconsin
Dale Bertsch, Legislative Research Council, South Dakota
Paul Dlugolecki, Executive Director, Senate Minority Appropriations, Pennsylvania
Representative William R. Dyson, Connecticut
Representative Kathleen W. Gurnsey, Idaho
J. Donald Judy, Director, Office of Budget Review, Kentucky
Robert Keaton, Office of Fiscal Affairs, Louisiana
Alan Kooney, Legislative Budget & Finance Officer, Legislative Budget & Fiscal Office,
New Jersey
Robert Lang, Director, Legislative Fiscal Bureau, Wisconsin
Gary Olson, Director, Senate Fiscal Agency, Michigan
Dennis Prouty, Director, Legislative Fiscal Bureau, Iowa
Peter Schaafsma, Executive Director, Debt Advisory Commission, California
Richard Stavneak, Joint Legislative Budget Committee, Arizona
Irving Stolberg, former Speaker of the House, Connecticut
Representative Dan Troy, Ohio
Lee Van Riper, Director of Fiscal Studies, Senate Finance Committee, New York
Representatives of the Foundation of Fiscal Partners
American Express Company
Les Goldberg, Vice President, State Government Affairs
Stephen D. Lemson, Manager, State Government Affairs
American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees
Marcia Howard, Economic Policy Analyst, Department of Public Policy
Ann Kempski, Economic Policy Analyst, Department of Public Policy
Marie Monrad, Associate Director, Department of Public Policy
National Education Association
Joseph A. Falzon, Research Specialist
Ed Hurley, Research Specialist
Philip Morris Management Corporation
Derek Crawford, Director, Government Affairs Planning
Pam Inmann, Regional Director, Government Relations
Tina A. Walls, Vice President, Government Affairs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Executive Summary
There are many causes of state budget shortfalls, and, because they are interrelated, several often arise simultaneously. The chief causes are weak economic performance, inaccurate revenue and expenditure projections, state tax policies such as excessive use of tax earmarking, state expenditure policies such as unchecked program spending, federal actions such as the imposition of unfunded mandates and court decisions such as those imposing substantial funding obligations on the states.
There are two kinds of budget shortfalls: (1) short-term, temporary shortfalls that result from economic cycles or imprecise revenue or expenditure forecasts and (2) structural shortfalls that result from expenditure growth routinely outpacing revenue growth.
Although policymakers' strategies to resolve budget shortfalls vary, they have a predictable pattern. State officials impose short-term or stop-gap measures, cut the budget, increase revenues or impose some combination of these strategies. Generally, the selection of a strategy depends on the amount of time remaining in the fiscal period, the severity of the shortfall and other actions that have been taken.
Short-term strategies are not intended to deal with fundamental budget problems and may generate only one-time savings or revenues. Their chief advantage is that they typically have an immediate effect on a budget problem. Examples of short-term measures include delaying payments to vendors, deferring tax refunds and accelerating tax collections.
States may also turn to temporary budget cuts to deal with shortfalls. Again, the impact is immediate because the level of state spending is adjusted to fall within estimated available revenues by the end of the fiscal year. Budget-cutting exercises also may provide policymakers with an opportunity to seriously review spending priorities.
Policymakers may opt to raise revenues to deal with budget shortfalls. These revenues may be one-time (e.g., revenue from tax amnesty programs) or long term (e.g., permanent increases in the sales tax rate).
To limit the need to cut the budget or raise taxes, many states have implemented procedures intended to avoid or minimize shortfalls. Among the most common measures are limiting appropriations to a percentage of revenue estimates, imposing contingency budget reductions or trigger mechanisms and creating budget stabilization funds.
In addition to short-term strategies to address budget shortfalls, states also may seek permanent spending reductions in major program areas. Most spending is for elementary-secondary (K-12) education, Medicaid, higher education, corrections and welfare. In combination, these program areas account for about 70 percent of state general fund spending. As a result, policymakers are apt to consider these areas when budget cuts appear inevitable. States have tried strategies that include reducing K-12 foundation aid, implementing Medicaid managed care programs, reducing state funding for higher education, privatizing prisons and implementing welfare reform.
State policymakers also consider expenditures that cut across program lines when implementing budget reductions. For instance, 20 percent of all state spending goes for government employees. To reduce personnel costs, states often implement early retirement programs or privatize certain services. State aid to local governments is another expense that crosses program lines. When looking for aid reductions, states have reduced general purpose revenue sharing or have identified another source of funding to replace state support.
This report explores a variety of strategies that states have used to manage budget shortfalls. It provides information, evaluations and case studies that policymakers can refer to when considering their options. Recommendations regarding which actions to take are not included because lawmakers must assess the potential effectiveness and political feasibility of various options in view of the social, economic and political context of their respective states.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Introduction
Budget shortfalls are an inevitable occurrence in government finance. Because revenues are tied to the business cycle, economic declines will cause revenues to fall. At the same time, demand for government services typically increases during economic downturns, often pressuring state officials to spend above budgeted levels. Even sound state fiscal planning and management cannot save states from dealing with the effects of business cycle declines, although they may minimize the adverse effects of those declines or buy a state time to make better informed fiscal decisions.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What Is a Budget Shortfall?
A budget shortfall occurs when spending exceeds revenues during a budgeting period (fiscal year or biennium). As discussed in greater detail in chapter 1, shortfalls occur because:
Revenues do not materialize as projected;
Spending exceeds originally appropriated levels;
Some combination of lower-than-expected revenues and higher-than-expected spending occurs simultaneously; or
State reserves or other potential revenue sources are insufficient to cover planned or unplanned spending.
This report is concerned with general fund budget shortfalls that have the potential of becoming year-end deficits. There are two kinds of budget shortfalls: (1) short-term/ temporary shortfalls that result from economic cycles or imprecise revenue or expenditure forecasts and (2) structural shortfalls that result from the growth of expenditures routinely outpacing the growth of revenues. This report reviews strategies for dealing with both kinds of shortfalls.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Purpose of This Report
Because most states operate under a constitutional or statutory requirement for a balanced budget, strategies to avoid a deficit are required in most states. The purpose of this report is to explore these strategies. Although fiscal crises can provide opportunities and options for dealing with the state budget that may have been rejected during times of fiscal stability, eliminating a budget shortfall is no easy task. This report will not make the task of addressing budget shortfalls any easier, but it provides useful information and evaluations as policymakers consider options to eliminate shortfalls. It also includes specific state experiences with those strategies.
This report does not make recommendations regarding which actions to take because lawmakers must assess the potential effectiveness and political feasibility of various options in view of the social, economic and political context of their respective states. Furthermore, this report does not attempt to assess the various philosophies on the appropriate role of government: The size of state government and the level of services provided are issues to be determined by the elected officials and citizenry of each state.
This report emphasizes strategies to manage budget shortfalls, which tend to need resolution within a short period of time. It also looks at some state actions that are intended to have a longer-term, positive effect on state budget management.
Short references to relevant publications are included in the text; full citations are contained in the Select Bibliography contained at the end of the report.
As previously noted, budget shortfalls often are the result of both revenue decreases and expenditure overruns, so state officials must consider both sides of the ledger when attempting to eliminate budget shortfalls. This report focuses only on budget strategies to manage shortfalls because good sources of information on revenue options already are available. State Tax Actions, an annual series of reports produced by NCSL, provides a comprehensive list of state tax actions over the past decade. Financing State Government in the 1990s also provides a comprehensive discussion of state revenue issues.
Continue to Chapter 1, Causes of Budget Shortfalls.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Select Bibliography
Eckl, Corina L. "States Broaden the Scope of Rainy Day Funds." The Fiscal Letter (National Conference of State Legislatures) 17, no. 2 (1995).
Eckl, Corina L. Legislative Authority Over the Enacted Budget. Denver, Colo.: National Conference of State Legislatures, 1992.
Eckl, Corina L. State Deficit Management Strategies. Denver, Colo.: National Conference of State Legislatures, 1987.
Fiscal Affairs Program. State Tax Actions. Denver, Colo.: National Conference of State Legislatures, various years.
Fiscal Affairs Program. State Budget Actions. Denver, Colo.: National Conference of State Legislatures, various years.
Hunzeker, Donna. "State Sentencing Systems and 'Truth in Sentencing.'" NCSL State Legislative Report 20, no. 3 (1995).
Hutchison, Tony. The Legislative Role in Revenue and Demographic Forecasting. Denver, Colo.: National Conference of State Legislatures, 1987.
King, Martha and Steve Christian. Medicaid Survival Kit. Denver, Colo.: National Conference of State Legislatures, 1996.
National Association of State Budget Officers. 1995 State Expenditure Report. Washington, D.C.: National Association of State Budget Officers, 1996.
National Governors' Association and National Association of State Budget Officers. The Fiscal Survey of States. Washington, D.C.: National Governors' Association and National Association of State Budget Officers, 1995.
NCSL Foundation Fiscal Partners. Fundamentals of Sound State Budgeting Practices. Denver, Colo.: National Conference of State Legislatures, 1995.
NCSL Foundation Fiscal Partners. Principles of a High-Quality State Revenue System. Denver, Colo.: National Conference of State Legislatures, 1995.
Pearson, Elizabeth, and Donna Lyons. "Privatization of State Corrections Management." NCSL LegisBrief 4, no. 6 (1996).
Pérez, Arturo, and Ronald Snell. Earmarking State Taxes. Denver, Colo.: National Conference of State Legislatures, 1995.
Rafool, Mandy. State Tax and Expenditure Limits. Denver, Colo.: National Conference of State Legislatures, 1996.
Snell, Ronald, ed. Financing State Government in the 1990s. Denver, Colo.: National Conference of State Legislatures and National Governors Association, 1993.
The Urban Institute, "Cutting Medicaid Spending in Response to Budget Caps," Washington, D.C.
U.S. Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations. "RTS 1991: State Revenue Capacity and Effort." Washington, D.C.: ACIR (1993).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Written December 1996, posted January 2003, reviewed December 2003
Email statebudget-info@ncsl.org for more information.
December 1996
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------Preface and Acknowledgments
In mid-1991, several members of the Foundation for State Legislatures convened to discuss how they could assist in the development of sound state fiscal policy. They concurred that they could pool their resources to examine specific areas of state tax policy and then make recommendations. This group, known as the Foundation Fiscal Partners, supports the Fiscal Affairs Project, a continuing effort to increase, enhance and communicate state fiscal information.
One of the goals of the Fiscal Affairs Project is to improve the dialogue among state legislators, business representatives and other organizations interested in decisions on state fiscal policy. By increasing awareness of different perspectives and improving communication among the participants, these groups can develop an effective partnership to address such concerns as fair and stable tax systems and sound budgeting practices.
The Fiscal Affairs Project has supported the work of the NCSL Fiscal Affairs Program in several ways. Most notably, the project has produced three major publications: (1) Principles of a High-Quality State Revenue System; (2) Fundamentals of Sound State Budgeting Practices; and (3) this report, State Strategies to Manage Budget Shortfalls.
State Strategies to Manage Budget Shortfalls is the work of many contributors: legislators, legislative staff and representatives from the Foundation for State Legislatures. Besides drawing upon the expertise of those who directly participated, the NCSL staff who wrote this report relied on numerous state experts including several NCSL staff with substantive knowledge and expertise on specific state programs.
Corina Eckl, Scott Mackey and Ronald Snell are the principal authors of this report. Other fiscal staff contributing to this report were Arturo Pérez and Mandy Rafool. Any views expressed in this report are the responsibility of the authors and should not be attributed to the participating legislators, legislative staff or sponsoring organizations.
The authors wish to thank the numerous state experts and NCSL staff who provided case studies, offered substantive comments or reviewed sections of the report. These individuals were Don Judy of Kentucky's Legislative Research Commission, Bill Goodman of Arkansas' Bureau of Legislative Research, Liz Hill of California's Legislative Analyst Office, Diane Warriner of Pennsylvania's House Republican Appropriations Committee, Robert Bittenbender of Pennsylvania's Executive Budget Department, Sally Tubbesing of Maine's Legislative Council, Arthur Porter of New York's State-Local Relations Staff, Glen Tittermary of Virginia's Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission, Betsy Daly of Virginia's Senate Finance Committee, Bill Sheldrake of Indiana's Fiscal Policy Institute, Mike Groesch of Washington's Senate Ways and Means Committee, John Walker of Michigan's Senate Fiscal Agency, Jeffrey Schmied of Arizona's Joint Legislative Budget Committee, Claire Drowota of Tennessee's Oversight Committee on Corrections, Susan Smith of Tennessee's Fiscal Review Committee and Robin Lubitz of North Carolina's Sentencing and Policy Advisory Commission. The NCSL staff assisting with this report were Julie Bell, Brooke Davidson, Martha King, Donna Lyons, Elizabeth Pearson, Laura Tobler, Jack Tweedie, Terry Whitney, Adelia Yee and Judy Zelio.
The authors also extend special appreciation to Carolyn Alvarez for her expert preparation of the text and tables for this report, to Karen Fisher for her comprehensive and precise editing and to Bruce Holdeman for his cover design.
Participating Legislators and Legislative Staff
Senator Ben D. Altamirano, New Mexico
Representative Jeannette Bell, Wisconsin
Dale Bertsch, Legislative Research Council, South Dakota
Paul Dlugolecki, Executive Director, Senate Minority Appropriations, Pennsylvania
Representative William R. Dyson, Connecticut
Representative Kathleen W. Gurnsey, Idaho
J. Donald Judy, Director, Office of Budget Review, Kentucky
Robert Keaton, Office of Fiscal Affairs, Louisiana
Alan Kooney, Legislative Budget & Finance Officer, Legislative Budget & Fiscal Office,
New Jersey
Robert Lang, Director, Legislative Fiscal Bureau, Wisconsin
Gary Olson, Director, Senate Fiscal Agency, Michigan
Dennis Prouty, Director, Legislative Fiscal Bureau, Iowa
Peter Schaafsma, Executive Director, Debt Advisory Commission, California
Richard Stavneak, Joint Legislative Budget Committee, Arizona
Irving Stolberg, former Speaker of the House, Connecticut
Representative Dan Troy, Ohio
Lee Van Riper, Director of Fiscal Studies, Senate Finance Committee, New York
Representatives of the Foundation of Fiscal Partners
American Express Company
Les Goldberg, Vice President, State Government Affairs
Stephen D. Lemson, Manager, State Government Affairs
American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees
Marcia Howard, Economic Policy Analyst, Department of Public Policy
Ann Kempski, Economic Policy Analyst, Department of Public Policy
Marie Monrad, Associate Director, Department of Public Policy
National Education Association
Joseph A. Falzon, Research Specialist
Ed Hurley, Research Specialist
Philip Morris Management Corporation
Derek Crawford, Director, Government Affairs Planning
Pam Inmann, Regional Director, Government Relations
Tina A. Walls, Vice President, Government Affairs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Executive Summary
There are many causes of state budget shortfalls, and, because they are interrelated, several often arise simultaneously. The chief causes are weak economic performance, inaccurate revenue and expenditure projections, state tax policies such as excessive use of tax earmarking, state expenditure policies such as unchecked program spending, federal actions such as the imposition of unfunded mandates and court decisions such as those imposing substantial funding obligations on the states.
There are two kinds of budget shortfalls: (1) short-term, temporary shortfalls that result from economic cycles or imprecise revenue or expenditure forecasts and (2) structural shortfalls that result from expenditure growth routinely outpacing revenue growth.
Although policymakers' strategies to resolve budget shortfalls vary, they have a predictable pattern. State officials impose short-term or stop-gap measures, cut the budget, increase revenues or impose some combination of these strategies. Generally, the selection of a strategy depends on the amount of time remaining in the fiscal period, the severity of the shortfall and other actions that have been taken.
Short-term strategies are not intended to deal with fundamental budget problems and may generate only one-time savings or revenues. Their chief advantage is that they typically have an immediate effect on a budget problem. Examples of short-term measures include delaying payments to vendors, deferring tax refunds and accelerating tax collections.
States may also turn to temporary budget cuts to deal with shortfalls. Again, the impact is immediate because the level of state spending is adjusted to fall within estimated available revenues by the end of the fiscal year. Budget-cutting exercises also may provide policymakers with an opportunity to seriously review spending priorities.
Policymakers may opt to raise revenues to deal with budget shortfalls. These revenues may be one-time (e.g., revenue from tax amnesty programs) or long term (e.g., permanent increases in the sales tax rate).
To limit the need to cut the budget or raise taxes, many states have implemented procedures intended to avoid or minimize shortfalls. Among the most common measures are limiting appropriations to a percentage of revenue estimates, imposing contingency budget reductions or trigger mechanisms and creating budget stabilization funds.
In addition to short-term strategies to address budget shortfalls, states also may seek permanent spending reductions in major program areas. Most spending is for elementary-secondary (K-12) education, Medicaid, higher education, corrections and welfare. In combination, these program areas account for about 70 percent of state general fund spending. As a result, policymakers are apt to consider these areas when budget cuts appear inevitable. States have tried strategies that include reducing K-12 foundation aid, implementing Medicaid managed care programs, reducing state funding for higher education, privatizing prisons and implementing welfare reform.
State policymakers also consider expenditures that cut across program lines when implementing budget reductions. For instance, 20 percent of all state spending goes for government employees. To reduce personnel costs, states often implement early retirement programs or privatize certain services. State aid to local governments is another expense that crosses program lines. When looking for aid reductions, states have reduced general purpose revenue sharing or have identified another source of funding to replace state support.
This report explores a variety of strategies that states have used to manage budget shortfalls. It provides information, evaluations and case studies that policymakers can refer to when considering their options. Recommendations regarding which actions to take are not included because lawmakers must assess the potential effectiveness and political feasibility of various options in view of the social, economic and political context of their respective states.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Introduction
Budget shortfalls are an inevitable occurrence in government finance. Because revenues are tied to the business cycle, economic declines will cause revenues to fall. At the same time, demand for government services typically increases during economic downturns, often pressuring state officials to spend above budgeted levels. Even sound state fiscal planning and management cannot save states from dealing with the effects of business cycle declines, although they may minimize the adverse effects of those declines or buy a state time to make better informed fiscal decisions.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What Is a Budget Shortfall?
A budget shortfall occurs when spending exceeds revenues during a budgeting period (fiscal year or biennium). As discussed in greater detail in chapter 1, shortfalls occur because:
Revenues do not materialize as projected;
Spending exceeds originally appropriated levels;
Some combination of lower-than-expected revenues and higher-than-expected spending occurs simultaneously; or
State reserves or other potential revenue sources are insufficient to cover planned or unplanned spending.
This report is concerned with general fund budget shortfalls that have the potential of becoming year-end deficits. There are two kinds of budget shortfalls: (1) short-term/ temporary shortfalls that result from economic cycles or imprecise revenue or expenditure forecasts and (2) structural shortfalls that result from the growth of expenditures routinely outpacing the growth of revenues. This report reviews strategies for dealing with both kinds of shortfalls.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Purpose of This Report
Because most states operate under a constitutional or statutory requirement for a balanced budget, strategies to avoid a deficit are required in most states. The purpose of this report is to explore these strategies. Although fiscal crises can provide opportunities and options for dealing with the state budget that may have been rejected during times of fiscal stability, eliminating a budget shortfall is no easy task. This report will not make the task of addressing budget shortfalls any easier, but it provides useful information and evaluations as policymakers consider options to eliminate shortfalls. It also includes specific state experiences with those strategies.
This report does not make recommendations regarding which actions to take because lawmakers must assess the potential effectiveness and political feasibility of various options in view of the social, economic and political context of their respective states. Furthermore, this report does not attempt to assess the various philosophies on the appropriate role of government: The size of state government and the level of services provided are issues to be determined by the elected officials and citizenry of each state.
This report emphasizes strategies to manage budget shortfalls, which tend to need resolution within a short period of time. It also looks at some state actions that are intended to have a longer-term, positive effect on state budget management.
Short references to relevant publications are included in the text; full citations are contained in the Select Bibliography contained at the end of the report.
As previously noted, budget shortfalls often are the result of both revenue decreases and expenditure overruns, so state officials must consider both sides of the ledger when attempting to eliminate budget shortfalls. This report focuses only on budget strategies to manage shortfalls because good sources of information on revenue options already are available. State Tax Actions, an annual series of reports produced by NCSL, provides a comprehensive list of state tax actions over the past decade. Financing State Government in the 1990s also provides a comprehensive discussion of state revenue issues.
Continue to Chapter 1, Causes of Budget Shortfalls.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Select Bibliography
Eckl, Corina L. "States Broaden the Scope of Rainy Day Funds." The Fiscal Letter (National Conference of State Legislatures) 17, no. 2 (1995).
Eckl, Corina L. Legislative Authority Over the Enacted Budget. Denver, Colo.: National Conference of State Legislatures, 1992.
Eckl, Corina L. State Deficit Management Strategies. Denver, Colo.: National Conference of State Legislatures, 1987.
Fiscal Affairs Program. State Tax Actions. Denver, Colo.: National Conference of State Legislatures, various years.
Fiscal Affairs Program. State Budget Actions. Denver, Colo.: National Conference of State Legislatures, various years.
Hunzeker, Donna. "State Sentencing Systems and 'Truth in Sentencing.'" NCSL State Legislative Report 20, no. 3 (1995).
Hutchison, Tony. The Legislative Role in Revenue and Demographic Forecasting. Denver, Colo.: National Conference of State Legislatures, 1987.
King, Martha and Steve Christian. Medicaid Survival Kit. Denver, Colo.: National Conference of State Legislatures, 1996.
National Association of State Budget Officers. 1995 State Expenditure Report. Washington, D.C.: National Association of State Budget Officers, 1996.
National Governors' Association and National Association of State Budget Officers. The Fiscal Survey of States. Washington, D.C.: National Governors' Association and National Association of State Budget Officers, 1995.
NCSL Foundation Fiscal Partners. Fundamentals of Sound State Budgeting Practices. Denver, Colo.: National Conference of State Legislatures, 1995.
NCSL Foundation Fiscal Partners. Principles of a High-Quality State Revenue System. Denver, Colo.: National Conference of State Legislatures, 1995.
Pearson, Elizabeth, and Donna Lyons. "Privatization of State Corrections Management." NCSL LegisBrief 4, no. 6 (1996).
Pérez, Arturo, and Ronald Snell. Earmarking State Taxes. Denver, Colo.: National Conference of State Legislatures, 1995.
Rafool, Mandy. State Tax and Expenditure Limits. Denver, Colo.: National Conference of State Legislatures, 1996.
Snell, Ronald, ed. Financing State Government in the 1990s. Denver, Colo.: National Conference of State Legislatures and National Governors Association, 1993.
The Urban Institute, "Cutting Medicaid Spending in Response to Budget Caps," Washington, D.C.
U.S. Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations. "RTS 1991: State Revenue Capacity and Effort." Washington, D.C.: ACIR (1993).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Written December 1996, posted January 2003, reviewed December 2003
Email statebudget-info@ncsl.org for more information.
Thursday, March 18, 2004
SENATOR BEN ALTAMIRANO RUNNING UNOPPOSED IN 2004 ELECTION Good news for New Mexico
Candidate file for June 1 primary election in county
By JIM OWEN
Daily Press Staff
Four contested Grant County races will be on the ballot in the June 1 primary election.
Tuesday was the day candidates for county and legislative offices filed papers with county clerks and the secretary of state's office.
County Commission Chairman Henry Torres faces a challenge by fellow Democrat Joseph M. Mondragon for the District 3 seat on the panel.
Howie Morales will try to derail County Clerk Jeff Carbajal's re-election bid in the Democratic primary.
Three Democrats Alfred L. Sedillo, Mary O. Ortiz and Charlotte D. Benavidez filed for the post being vacated by County Treasurer Rusilia Benavidez.
District Judge Jim Foy will be opposed by J.C. Robinson in the Democratic primary. Allen Smith was the lone Republican to file.
District Judge Henry Quintero and District Attorney Mary Lynne Newell have no opponents in their bids to be elected for the first time, both having been appointed to their positions.
Members of Grant County's state legislative delegation Sen. Ben Altamirano, D-Silver City; Rep. Dianne Hamilton, R-Silver City; and Rep. Manuel Herrera, D-Bayard are unopposed for re-election.
In Catron County, two candidates filed for each of the three positions on the ballot.
Two Reserve residents, Democrat Virginia M. Jaramillo and Republican Carolyn S. Livingston, will vie for the county clerk's position.
Democrat Yvonne K. Milligan and Republican Sarah G. Jones, both of Reserve, are running for county treasurer.
Two longtime Catron County community activists Democrat Howard Hutchinson and Republican Hugh B. McKeen Jr., both of the Glenwood area are seeking the District 3 seat on the County Commission.
The Catron County candidates will be unopposed in the primary, and face off against one another in this fall's general election.
Torres, completing his first term on the commission, said his top priority is to "maintain the health of the county budget."
In his candidate announcement, he called for "orderly growth," and "economic development that is compatible with our environment and available resources."
Torres, a fourth-generation Grant County resident, was born in Faywood and graduated from high school in Deming. He is a U.S. Navy veteran, and a graduate of the Western College of Auctioneering, New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy and state Real Estate Institute.
He was the area supervisor for the New Mexico Livestock Board for more than 25 years, retiring in 1996.
Torres has owned a ranch, been a partner in a livestock auction business, and owned and administered an energy-management firm.
Since 1995, he has been a real estate agent, affiliated with Smith Realty.
"My decision to seek another term is based on what I see as the need for continuity in county government," Torres said. "These past three years, we have seen a lot of positive activity in Grant County government. I want to continue to be part of this positive growth and progress."
Mondragon, a former men's basketball coach at Western New Mexico University, said he has "a vision of seeing Grant County move forward."
"I feel I can bring in a new vision," he told the Daily Press. "I have some real good ideas."
Mondragon said expanding programs for youths will be one of his priorities. He also said county officials "have to find a way to get the budget to where we can help all the departments."
Another urgent need, according to the candidate, is to attract more employers to the county.
Mondragon earned a degree in business administration at WNMU, taught and coached in Cloudcroft, and coached basketball and served as athletic director at a school in Texas.
He recently returned to Silver City after working as a coach in Utah.
Mondragon said he has attended numerous commission sessions, as well as economic-development meetings in the community.
"I am civic-minded," he said. "At this time, I have to take a different path in my career."
Carbajal, a lifelong county resident, was appointed county clerk in February 2002 to finish the unexpired term of former Clerk Gabriel Ramos. Carbajal had been chief deputy clerk since January 1997.
He was president of the New Mexico Association of County Clerks from 1999-2001, and has received numerous hours of training at seminars, according to his candidate announcement.
Carbajal is a certified technician on voting machines' hardware and software. He has lobbied for state legislation affecting county clerks, and was appointed by the secretary of state to various state committees.
"I strongly believe I must give back to the community, so I have devoted myself to several community and school organizations, especially (those involving) Grant County youth," Carbajal said.
He was a member of the Cobre School District Board of Education from 1997-2000, serving as vice president.
Morales was reared in Silver City and graduated from Silver High School. He holds bachelor's and master's degrees from WNMU.
He is a teacher and baseball coach, as well as transition education coordinator in the special education department, for the Cobre District. He formerly taught and coached in the Silver School District.
Morales is in the final year of a doctoral program in learning technology education at New Mexico State University.
He said the county clerk should have "an understanding of, and the ability to apply, the most up-to-date technological advances in records keeping."
"This will enhance productivity of the office, cut down on a needless use of paper, and provide for a more efficient and reliable approach to retrieve information for the public," Morales said in his candidate announcement.
He pledged to be "accessible to the public if elected clerk," design a Web site for the office at no cost to taxpayers, study online voter registration, use his grant-writing ability to seek funding for the county, provide more training for clerk's office employees, and hold voter-registration drives and other events to increase voting.
Sedillo, manager of Bealls Department Store in Silver City the past five years, said he has "always worked in fields closely related to finance."
He has managed 15 to 30 employees at a time, worked with an independent insurance agent in Las Cruces for six years, and was an assistant manager for Anthony's Department Stores for 16 years.
Sedillo promised that he would, as county treasurer, apply his managerial skills, computer technology abilities and experience in finance.
"One of the biggest voter demands I have been approached with is to be able to pay property taxes with a credit card online," he said. "I know the software is out there."
Sedillo asked county resident to contact him with "solid and positive changes or ideas for (the treasurer's) office to become more productive and convenient."
He said he would update tax bills to make them "more user-friendly," attempt to hire more employees during tax time to provide "faster and more courteous service," use the county's Web site to inform taxpayers of tax payment due dates, and update physical and mailing addresses.
Sedillo also wants to "fully automate" the office.
Ortiz, a customer-service manager at Wal-Mart, was reared in Grant County and graduated from Silver High School. She has extensive experience in financial and technical fields, as well as public relations, according to her candidate announcement.
"I am a multitasking person who works for high productivity with little or no sacrifice to quality," Ortiz said. "Being a people person and being able to adapt to any environment helps me create a postive attitude in the workplace."
She said she is "familiar with computers and various software applications."
Ortiz is a former cashier, secretary and assistant branch manager for Beneficial Finance. Later, she was a branch manager with Interstate Securities Co., and a bookkeeper for 10 years for Southwest Services for Handicapped Children and Adults (now known as Life Quest).
In 1994, Ortiz was an enumerator in the county assessor's office. She also served as accounts-payable clerk in the county manager's office for three years, before being reassigned as a budget finance analyst.
Benavidez, a Silver High School graduate and daughter of the outgoing treasurer, owns Mirror Mirage beauty salon. She managed the business for three years before becoming the owner, giving her experience in accounting, purchasing management, public relations, human resources and consulting.
Benavidez has an associate's degree in business administration from WNMU, and completed a tax-preparation training program. She said she has had on-the-job training in the treasurer's office.
"If elected, it will give me the opportunity to get to know and understand the staff," Benavidez said in an advertisement in the Daily Press.
"I will develop performance norms to provide members of the office acceptable standards and personal motivation to perform the tasks on hand," she added. "I have ethical standards and great consideration in working together to establish core values, which are essential in the department."
Benavidez said she is skilled in communication, motivation and delegating authority.
Candidate file for June 1 primary election in county
By JIM OWEN
Daily Press Staff
Four contested Grant County races will be on the ballot in the June 1 primary election.
Tuesday was the day candidates for county and legislative offices filed papers with county clerks and the secretary of state's office.
County Commission Chairman Henry Torres faces a challenge by fellow Democrat Joseph M. Mondragon for the District 3 seat on the panel.
Howie Morales will try to derail County Clerk Jeff Carbajal's re-election bid in the Democratic primary.
Three Democrats Alfred L. Sedillo, Mary O. Ortiz and Charlotte D. Benavidez filed for the post being vacated by County Treasurer Rusilia Benavidez.
District Judge Jim Foy will be opposed by J.C. Robinson in the Democratic primary. Allen Smith was the lone Republican to file.
District Judge Henry Quintero and District Attorney Mary Lynne Newell have no opponents in their bids to be elected for the first time, both having been appointed to their positions.
Members of Grant County's state legislative delegation Sen. Ben Altamirano, D-Silver City; Rep. Dianne Hamilton, R-Silver City; and Rep. Manuel Herrera, D-Bayard are unopposed for re-election.
In Catron County, two candidates filed for each of the three positions on the ballot.
Two Reserve residents, Democrat Virginia M. Jaramillo and Republican Carolyn S. Livingston, will vie for the county clerk's position.
Democrat Yvonne K. Milligan and Republican Sarah G. Jones, both of Reserve, are running for county treasurer.
Two longtime Catron County community activists Democrat Howard Hutchinson and Republican Hugh B. McKeen Jr., both of the Glenwood area are seeking the District 3 seat on the County Commission.
The Catron County candidates will be unopposed in the primary, and face off against one another in this fall's general election.
Torres, completing his first term on the commission, said his top priority is to "maintain the health of the county budget."
In his candidate announcement, he called for "orderly growth," and "economic development that is compatible with our environment and available resources."
Torres, a fourth-generation Grant County resident, was born in Faywood and graduated from high school in Deming. He is a U.S. Navy veteran, and a graduate of the Western College of Auctioneering, New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy and state Real Estate Institute.
He was the area supervisor for the New Mexico Livestock Board for more than 25 years, retiring in 1996.
Torres has owned a ranch, been a partner in a livestock auction business, and owned and administered an energy-management firm.
Since 1995, he has been a real estate agent, affiliated with Smith Realty.
"My decision to seek another term is based on what I see as the need for continuity in county government," Torres said. "These past three years, we have seen a lot of positive activity in Grant County government. I want to continue to be part of this positive growth and progress."
Mondragon, a former men's basketball coach at Western New Mexico University, said he has "a vision of seeing Grant County move forward."
"I feel I can bring in a new vision," he told the Daily Press. "I have some real good ideas."
Mondragon said expanding programs for youths will be one of his priorities. He also said county officials "have to find a way to get the budget to where we can help all the departments."
Another urgent need, according to the candidate, is to attract more employers to the county.
Mondragon earned a degree in business administration at WNMU, taught and coached in Cloudcroft, and coached basketball and served as athletic director at a school in Texas.
He recently returned to Silver City after working as a coach in Utah.
Mondragon said he has attended numerous commission sessions, as well as economic-development meetings in the community.
"I am civic-minded," he said. "At this time, I have to take a different path in my career."
Carbajal, a lifelong county resident, was appointed county clerk in February 2002 to finish the unexpired term of former Clerk Gabriel Ramos. Carbajal had been chief deputy clerk since January 1997.
He was president of the New Mexico Association of County Clerks from 1999-2001, and has received numerous hours of training at seminars, according to his candidate announcement.
Carbajal is a certified technician on voting machines' hardware and software. He has lobbied for state legislation affecting county clerks, and was appointed by the secretary of state to various state committees.
"I strongly believe I must give back to the community, so I have devoted myself to several community and school organizations, especially (those involving) Grant County youth," Carbajal said.
He was a member of the Cobre School District Board of Education from 1997-2000, serving as vice president.
Morales was reared in Silver City and graduated from Silver High School. He holds bachelor's and master's degrees from WNMU.
He is a teacher and baseball coach, as well as transition education coordinator in the special education department, for the Cobre District. He formerly taught and coached in the Silver School District.
Morales is in the final year of a doctoral program in learning technology education at New Mexico State University.
He said the county clerk should have "an understanding of, and the ability to apply, the most up-to-date technological advances in records keeping."
"This will enhance productivity of the office, cut down on a needless use of paper, and provide for a more efficient and reliable approach to retrieve information for the public," Morales said in his candidate announcement.
He pledged to be "accessible to the public if elected clerk," design a Web site for the office at no cost to taxpayers, study online voter registration, use his grant-writing ability to seek funding for the county, provide more training for clerk's office employees, and hold voter-registration drives and other events to increase voting.
Sedillo, manager of Bealls Department Store in Silver City the past five years, said he has "always worked in fields closely related to finance."
He has managed 15 to 30 employees at a time, worked with an independent insurance agent in Las Cruces for six years, and was an assistant manager for Anthony's Department Stores for 16 years.
Sedillo promised that he would, as county treasurer, apply his managerial skills, computer technology abilities and experience in finance.
"One of the biggest voter demands I have been approached with is to be able to pay property taxes with a credit card online," he said. "I know the software is out there."
Sedillo asked county resident to contact him with "solid and positive changes or ideas for (the treasurer's) office to become more productive and convenient."
He said he would update tax bills to make them "more user-friendly," attempt to hire more employees during tax time to provide "faster and more courteous service," use the county's Web site to inform taxpayers of tax payment due dates, and update physical and mailing addresses.
Sedillo also wants to "fully automate" the office.
Ortiz, a customer-service manager at Wal-Mart, was reared in Grant County and graduated from Silver High School. She has extensive experience in financial and technical fields, as well as public relations, according to her candidate announcement.
"I am a multitasking person who works for high productivity with little or no sacrifice to quality," Ortiz said. "Being a people person and being able to adapt to any environment helps me create a postive attitude in the workplace."
She said she is "familiar with computers and various software applications."
Ortiz is a former cashier, secretary and assistant branch manager for Beneficial Finance. Later, she was a branch manager with Interstate Securities Co., and a bookkeeper for 10 years for Southwest Services for Handicapped Children and Adults (now known as Life Quest).
In 1994, Ortiz was an enumerator in the county assessor's office. She also served as accounts-payable clerk in the county manager's office for three years, before being reassigned as a budget finance analyst.
Benavidez, a Silver High School graduate and daughter of the outgoing treasurer, owns Mirror Mirage beauty salon. She managed the business for three years before becoming the owner, giving her experience in accounting, purchasing management, public relations, human resources and consulting.
Benavidez has an associate's degree in business administration from WNMU, and completed a tax-preparation training program. She said she has had on-the-job training in the treasurer's office.
"If elected, it will give me the opportunity to get to know and understand the staff," Benavidez said in an advertisement in the Daily Press.
"I will develop performance norms to provide members of the office acceptable standards and personal motivation to perform the tasks on hand," she added. "I have ethical standards and great consideration in working together to establish core values, which are essential in the department."
Benavidez said she is skilled in communication, motivation and delegating authority.
SENATOR BEN ALTAMIRANO RUNNING UNOPPOSED IN 2004 ELECTION Good news for New Mexico
Candidate file for June 1 primary election in county
By JIM OWEN
Daily Press Staff
Four contested Grant County races will be on the ballot in the June 1 primary election.
Tuesday was the day candidates for county and legislative offices filed papers with county clerks and the secretary of state's office.
County Commission Chairman Henry Torres faces a challenge by fellow Democrat Joseph M. Mondragon for the District 3 seat on the panel.
Howie Morales will try to derail County Clerk Jeff Carbajal's re-election bid in the Democratic primary.
Three Democrats Alfred L. Sedillo, Mary O. Ortiz and Charlotte D. Benavidez filed for the post being vacated by County Treasurer Rusilia Benavidez.
District Judge Jim Foy will be opposed by J.C. Robinson in the Democratic primary. Allen Smith was the lone Republican to file.
District Judge Henry Quintero and District Attorney Mary Lynne Newell have no opponents in their bids to be elected for the first time, both having been appointed to their positions.
Members of Grant County's state legislative delegation Sen. Ben Altamirano, D-Silver City; Rep. Dianne Hamilton, R-Silver City; and Rep. Manuel Herrera, D-Bayard are unopposed for re-election.
In Catron County, two candidates filed for each of the three positions on the ballot.
Two Reserve residents, Democrat Virginia M. Jaramillo and Republican Carolyn S. Livingston, will vie for the county clerk's position.
Democrat Yvonne K. Milligan and Republican Sarah G. Jones, both of Reserve, are running for county treasurer.
Two longtime Catron County community activists Democrat Howard Hutchinson and Republican Hugh B. McKeen Jr., both of the Glenwood area are seeking the District 3 seat on the County Commission.
The Catron County candidates will be unopposed in the primary, and face off against one another in this fall's general election.
Torres, completing his first term on the commission, said his top priority is to "maintain the health of the county budget."
In his candidate announcement, he called for "orderly growth," and "economic development that is compatible with our environment and available resources."
Torres, a fourth-generation Grant County resident, was born in Faywood and graduated from high school in Deming. He is a U.S. Navy veteran, and a graduate of the Western College of Auctioneering, New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy and state Real Estate Institute.
He was the area supervisor for the New Mexico Livestock Board for more than 25 years, retiring in 1996.
Torres has owned a ranch, been a partner in a livestock auction business, and owned and administered an energy-management firm.
Since 1995, he has been a real estate agent, affiliated with Smith Realty.
"My decision to seek another term is based on what I see as the need for continuity in county government," Torres said. "These past three years, we have seen a lot of positive activity in Grant County government. I want to continue to be part of this positive growth and progress."
Mondragon, a former men's basketball coach at Western New Mexico University, said he has "a vision of seeing Grant County move forward."
"I feel I can bring in a new vision," he told the Daily Press. "I have some real good ideas."
Mondragon said expanding programs for youths will be one of his priorities. He also said county officials "have to find a way to get the budget to where we can help all the departments."
Another urgent need, according to the candidate, is to attract more employers to the county.
Mondragon earned a degree in business administration at WNMU, taught and coached in Cloudcroft, and coached basketball and served as athletic director at a school in Texas.
He recently returned to Silver City after working as a coach in Utah.
Mondragon said he has attended numerous commission sessions, as well as economic-development meetings in the community.
"I am civic-minded," he said. "At this time, I have to take a different path in my career."
Carbajal, a lifelong county resident, was appointed county clerk in February 2002 to finish the unexpired term of former Clerk Gabriel Ramos. Carbajal had been chief deputy clerk since January 1997.
He was president of the New Mexico Association of County Clerks from 1999-2001, and has received numerous hours of training at seminars, according to his candidate announcement.
Carbajal is a certified technician on voting machines' hardware and software. He has lobbied for state legislation affecting county clerks, and was appointed by the secretary of state to various state committees.
"I strongly believe I must give back to the community, so I have devoted myself to several community and school organizations, especially (those involving) Grant County youth," Carbajal said.
He was a member of the Cobre School District Board of Education from 1997-2000, serving as vice president.
Morales was reared in Silver City and graduated from Silver High School. He holds bachelor's and master's degrees from WNMU.
He is a teacher and baseball coach, as well as transition education coordinator in the special education department, for the Cobre District. He formerly taught and coached in the Silver School District.
Morales is in the final year of a doctoral program in learning technology education at New Mexico State University.
He said the county clerk should have "an understanding of, and the ability to apply, the most up-to-date technological advances in records keeping."
"This will enhance productivity of the office, cut down on a needless use of paper, and provide for a more efficient and reliable approach to retrieve information for the public," Morales said in his candidate announcement.
He pledged to be "accessible to the public if elected clerk," design a Web site for the office at no cost to taxpayers, study online voter registration, use his grant-writing ability to seek funding for the county, provide more training for clerk's office employees, and hold voter-registration drives and other events to increase voting.
Sedillo, manager of Bealls Department Store in Silver City the past five years, said he has "always worked in fields closely related to finance."
He has managed 15 to 30 employees at a time, worked with an independent insurance agent in Las Cruces for six years, and was an assistant manager for Anthony's Department Stores for 16 years.
Sedillo promised that he would, as county treasurer, apply his managerial skills, computer technology abilities and experience in finance.
"One of the biggest voter demands I have been approached with is to be able to pay property taxes with a credit card online," he said. "I know the software is out there."
Sedillo asked county resident to contact him with "solid and positive changes or ideas for (the treasurer's) office to become more productive and convenient."
He said he would update tax bills to make them "more user-friendly," attempt to hire more employees during tax time to provide "faster and more courteous service," use the county's Web site to inform taxpayers of tax payment due dates, and update physical and mailing addresses.
Sedillo also wants to "fully automate" the office.
Ortiz, a customer-service manager at Wal-Mart, was reared in Grant County and graduated from Silver High School. She has extensive experience in financial and technical fields, as well as public relations, according to her candidate announcement.
"I am a multitasking person who works for high productivity with little or no sacrifice to quality," Ortiz said. "Being a people person and being able to adapt to any environment helps me create a postive attitude in the workplace."
She said she is "familiar with computers and various software applications."
Ortiz is a former cashier, secretary and assistant branch manager for Beneficial Finance. Later, she was a branch manager with Interstate Securities Co., and a bookkeeper for 10 years for Southwest Services for Handicapped Children and Adults (now known as Life Quest).
In 1994, Ortiz was an enumerator in the county assessor's office. She also served as accounts-payable clerk in the county manager's office for three years, before being reassigned as a budget finance analyst.
Benavidez, a Silver High School graduate and daughter of the outgoing treasurer, owns Mirror Mirage beauty salon. She managed the business for three years before becoming the owner, giving her experience in accounting, purchasing management, public relations, human resources and consulting.
Benavidez has an associate's degree in business administration from WNMU, and completed a tax-preparation training program. She said she has had on-the-job training in the treasurer's office.
"If elected, it will give me the opportunity to get to know and understand the staff," Benavidez said in an advertisement in the Daily Press.
"I will develop performance norms to provide members of the office acceptable standards and personal motivation to perform the tasks on hand," she added. "I have ethical standards and great consideration in working together to establish core values, which are essential in the department."
Benavidez said she is skilled in communication, motivation and delegating authority.
Candidate file for June 1 primary election in county
By JIM OWEN
Daily Press Staff
Four contested Grant County races will be on the ballot in the June 1 primary election.
Tuesday was the day candidates for county and legislative offices filed papers with county clerks and the secretary of state's office.
County Commission Chairman Henry Torres faces a challenge by fellow Democrat Joseph M. Mondragon for the District 3 seat on the panel.
Howie Morales will try to derail County Clerk Jeff Carbajal's re-election bid in the Democratic primary.
Three Democrats Alfred L. Sedillo, Mary O. Ortiz and Charlotte D. Benavidez filed for the post being vacated by County Treasurer Rusilia Benavidez.
District Judge Jim Foy will be opposed by J.C. Robinson in the Democratic primary. Allen Smith was the lone Republican to file.
District Judge Henry Quintero and District Attorney Mary Lynne Newell have no opponents in their bids to be elected for the first time, both having been appointed to their positions.
Members of Grant County's state legislative delegation Sen. Ben Altamirano, D-Silver City; Rep. Dianne Hamilton, R-Silver City; and Rep. Manuel Herrera, D-Bayard are unopposed for re-election.
In Catron County, two candidates filed for each of the three positions on the ballot.
Two Reserve residents, Democrat Virginia M. Jaramillo and Republican Carolyn S. Livingston, will vie for the county clerk's position.
Democrat Yvonne K. Milligan and Republican Sarah G. Jones, both of Reserve, are running for county treasurer.
Two longtime Catron County community activists Democrat Howard Hutchinson and Republican Hugh B. McKeen Jr., both of the Glenwood area are seeking the District 3 seat on the County Commission.
The Catron County candidates will be unopposed in the primary, and face off against one another in this fall's general election.
Torres, completing his first term on the commission, said his top priority is to "maintain the health of the county budget."
In his candidate announcement, he called for "orderly growth," and "economic development that is compatible with our environment and available resources."
Torres, a fourth-generation Grant County resident, was born in Faywood and graduated from high school in Deming. He is a U.S. Navy veteran, and a graduate of the Western College of Auctioneering, New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy and state Real Estate Institute.
He was the area supervisor for the New Mexico Livestock Board for more than 25 years, retiring in 1996.
Torres has owned a ranch, been a partner in a livestock auction business, and owned and administered an energy-management firm.
Since 1995, he has been a real estate agent, affiliated with Smith Realty.
"My decision to seek another term is based on what I see as the need for continuity in county government," Torres said. "These past three years, we have seen a lot of positive activity in Grant County government. I want to continue to be part of this positive growth and progress."
Mondragon, a former men's basketball coach at Western New Mexico University, said he has "a vision of seeing Grant County move forward."
"I feel I can bring in a new vision," he told the Daily Press. "I have some real good ideas."
Mondragon said expanding programs for youths will be one of his priorities. He also said county officials "have to find a way to get the budget to where we can help all the departments."
Another urgent need, according to the candidate, is to attract more employers to the county.
Mondragon earned a degree in business administration at WNMU, taught and coached in Cloudcroft, and coached basketball and served as athletic director at a school in Texas.
He recently returned to Silver City after working as a coach in Utah.
Mondragon said he has attended numerous commission sessions, as well as economic-development meetings in the community.
"I am civic-minded," he said. "At this time, I have to take a different path in my career."
Carbajal, a lifelong county resident, was appointed county clerk in February 2002 to finish the unexpired term of former Clerk Gabriel Ramos. Carbajal had been chief deputy clerk since January 1997.
He was president of the New Mexico Association of County Clerks from 1999-2001, and has received numerous hours of training at seminars, according to his candidate announcement.
Carbajal is a certified technician on voting machines' hardware and software. He has lobbied for state legislation affecting county clerks, and was appointed by the secretary of state to various state committees.
"I strongly believe I must give back to the community, so I have devoted myself to several community and school organizations, especially (those involving) Grant County youth," Carbajal said.
He was a member of the Cobre School District Board of Education from 1997-2000, serving as vice president.
Morales was reared in Silver City and graduated from Silver High School. He holds bachelor's and master's degrees from WNMU.
He is a teacher and baseball coach, as well as transition education coordinator in the special education department, for the Cobre District. He formerly taught and coached in the Silver School District.
Morales is in the final year of a doctoral program in learning technology education at New Mexico State University.
He said the county clerk should have "an understanding of, and the ability to apply, the most up-to-date technological advances in records keeping."
"This will enhance productivity of the office, cut down on a needless use of paper, and provide for a more efficient and reliable approach to retrieve information for the public," Morales said in his candidate announcement.
He pledged to be "accessible to the public if elected clerk," design a Web site for the office at no cost to taxpayers, study online voter registration, use his grant-writing ability to seek funding for the county, provide more training for clerk's office employees, and hold voter-registration drives and other events to increase voting.
Sedillo, manager of Bealls Department Store in Silver City the past five years, said he has "always worked in fields closely related to finance."
He has managed 15 to 30 employees at a time, worked with an independent insurance agent in Las Cruces for six years, and was an assistant manager for Anthony's Department Stores for 16 years.
Sedillo promised that he would, as county treasurer, apply his managerial skills, computer technology abilities and experience in finance.
"One of the biggest voter demands I have been approached with is to be able to pay property taxes with a credit card online," he said. "I know the software is out there."
Sedillo asked county resident to contact him with "solid and positive changes or ideas for (the treasurer's) office to become more productive and convenient."
He said he would update tax bills to make them "more user-friendly," attempt to hire more employees during tax time to provide "faster and more courteous service," use the county's Web site to inform taxpayers of tax payment due dates, and update physical and mailing addresses.
Sedillo also wants to "fully automate" the office.
Ortiz, a customer-service manager at Wal-Mart, was reared in Grant County and graduated from Silver High School. She has extensive experience in financial and technical fields, as well as public relations, according to her candidate announcement.
"I am a multitasking person who works for high productivity with little or no sacrifice to quality," Ortiz said. "Being a people person and being able to adapt to any environment helps me create a postive attitude in the workplace."
She said she is "familiar with computers and various software applications."
Ortiz is a former cashier, secretary and assistant branch manager for Beneficial Finance. Later, she was a branch manager with Interstate Securities Co., and a bookkeeper for 10 years for Southwest Services for Handicapped Children and Adults (now known as Life Quest).
In 1994, Ortiz was an enumerator in the county assessor's office. She also served as accounts-payable clerk in the county manager's office for three years, before being reassigned as a budget finance analyst.
Benavidez, a Silver High School graduate and daughter of the outgoing treasurer, owns Mirror Mirage beauty salon. She managed the business for three years before becoming the owner, giving her experience in accounting, purchasing management, public relations, human resources and consulting.
Benavidez has an associate's degree in business administration from WNMU, and completed a tax-preparation training program. She said she has had on-the-job training in the treasurer's office.
"If elected, it will give me the opportunity to get to know and understand the staff," Benavidez said in an advertisement in the Daily Press.
"I will develop performance norms to provide members of the office acceptable standards and personal motivation to perform the tasks on hand," she added. "I have ethical standards and great consideration in working together to establish core values, which are essential in the department."
Benavidez said she is skilled in communication, motivation and delegating authority.
Monday, March 08, 2004
When Altamirano, who took office in 1971 is re-elected he will become the longest-serving state senator in New Mexico history when he surpasses the 32-year mark set by the late Sen. Ike Smalley of Deming.
Wednesday, February 20, 2002 - Lobbyists Shower State Lawmakers
By Barry Massey
The Associated Press
SANTA FE — Copper producer Phelps Dodge Corp. spent nearly $36,000 for a dinner honoring longtime Sen. Ben Altamirano, D-Silver City, during the legislative session. The event was part of the $226,117 that lobbyists reported spending for dinners, receptions and gifts for lawmakers and other state officials during the 30-day session of the Legislature, which ended last week.
The figure represents only part of the expenditures by lobbyists. The full cost won't be disclosed until more complete financial reports are filed later this year.
During a legislative session, lobbyists are required to report expenditures of $500 or more within 48 hours. The reports are filed with the Secretary of State's Office.
Richard Peterson, a spokesman for Phelps Dodge in Silver City, said Tuesday the company paid for the dinner for Altamirano "in recognition of his decades of service." The senator's district includes Phelps Dodge mining operations in southwestern New Mexico. Altamirano, who took office in 1971, will become the longest-serving state senator in New Mexico history next year when he surpasses the 32-year mark set by the late Sen. Ike Smalley of Deming. Altamirano is chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, which handles the budget and tax issues. A lobbyist for Phelps Dodge, Antonio Trujillo, reported that $35,858 was spent on the "appreciation dinner" for Altamirano, which was held at a Santa Fe hotel.
A lobbyist for Public Service Co. of New Mexico, the state's largest electric utility, reported contributing $500 for the event. At least two other lobbyists gave $500 each for the dinner, according to year-end expenditure reports filed with the secretary of state in early January.
During the session, Altamirano sponsored a bill that would have allowed Phelps Dodge to use a guarantee from its parent company for the cleanup of its mining sites rather than post expensive assurance bonds. The measure passed the Senate but died in the House when the Legislature adjourned. About 80 percent of the big-ticket expenditures by lobbyists went for dinners and receptions, many of them for all members of the House and Senate and some other state officials, such as the governor and members of the Public Regulation Commission.
The largest gift expenditure was $36,400 by Ski New Mexico, the trade association for the state's ski areas. It handed out free skiing passes to legislators, some legislative staff, the governor and the head of the Tourism Department.
Electric utility companies spent more than $34,000 for dinners for House and Senate members.
The four companies that serve New Mexico customers split the costs: PNM; Excel Energy, formerly known as Southwestern Public Service; Texas-New Mexico Power; and El Paso Electric.
The price tag for the House dinner was $20,416 and $13,872 was spent on the Senate event, according to reports filed by the utility lobbyists.
ABQjournal: Lobbyists Shower State Lawmakers
Wednesday, February 20, 2002 - Lobbyists Shower State Lawmakers
By Barry Massey
The Associated Press
SANTA FE — Copper producer Phelps Dodge Corp. spent nearly $36,000 for a dinner honoring longtime Sen. Ben Altamirano, D-Silver City, during the legislative session. The event was part of the $226,117 that lobbyists reported spending for dinners, receptions and gifts for lawmakers and other state officials during the 30-day session of the Legislature, which ended last week.
The figure represents only part of the expenditures by lobbyists. The full cost won't be disclosed until more complete financial reports are filed later this year.
During a legislative session, lobbyists are required to report expenditures of $500 or more within 48 hours. The reports are filed with the Secretary of State's Office.
Richard Peterson, a spokesman for Phelps Dodge in Silver City, said Tuesday the company paid for the dinner for Altamirano "in recognition of his decades of service." The senator's district includes Phelps Dodge mining operations in southwestern New Mexico. Altamirano, who took office in 1971, will become the longest-serving state senator in New Mexico history next year when he surpasses the 32-year mark set by the late Sen. Ike Smalley of Deming. Altamirano is chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, which handles the budget and tax issues. A lobbyist for Phelps Dodge, Antonio Trujillo, reported that $35,858 was spent on the "appreciation dinner" for Altamirano, which was held at a Santa Fe hotel.
A lobbyist for Public Service Co. of New Mexico, the state's largest electric utility, reported contributing $500 for the event. At least two other lobbyists gave $500 each for the dinner, according to year-end expenditure reports filed with the secretary of state in early January.
During the session, Altamirano sponsored a bill that would have allowed Phelps Dodge to use a guarantee from its parent company for the cleanup of its mining sites rather than post expensive assurance bonds. The measure passed the Senate but died in the House when the Legislature adjourned. About 80 percent of the big-ticket expenditures by lobbyists went for dinners and receptions, many of them for all members of the House and Senate and some other state officials, such as the governor and members of the Public Regulation Commission.
The largest gift expenditure was $36,400 by Ski New Mexico, the trade association for the state's ski areas. It handed out free skiing passes to legislators, some legislative staff, the governor and the head of the Tourism Department.
Electric utility companies spent more than $34,000 for dinners for House and Senate members.
The four companies that serve New Mexico customers split the costs: PNM; Excel Energy, formerly known as Southwestern Public Service; Texas-New Mexico Power; and El Paso Electric.
The price tag for the House dinner was $20,416 and $13,872 was spent on the Senate event, according to reports filed by the utility lobbyists.
ABQjournal: Lobbyists Shower State Lawmakers
Sunday, March 07, 2004
Senator Ben Altamirano successfully sponsors Prostate Cancer Plan see item number four below.
New Mexico Advocacy Update - American Cancer Society
The 2004 New Mexico Legislative Session ended on Feb. 19, 2004. This was a 30-day session focusing on budgetary items or other items deemed relevant by Governor Richardson. The following list is wrap-up on advocacy activities related to our priorities. The Governor has 20 days from the end of session to sign or veto bills, and the American Cancer Society will continue to advocate for our successes until they are signed into law.
American Cancer Society State Legislative Lobby Day was held January 29, and over 100 advocates attended from across the state. Thank you to all who participated.
1. Increase funding for Tobacco Use Prevention and Cessation
Lung cancer remains the number one cause of cancer death in New Mexico with an estimated 700 deaths each year. Tobacco prevention programs work to protect kids, save lives, and save money for taxpayers and citizens of our state by reducing tobacco-related health care costs, both public and private. The CDC recommends spending a minimum of $14 million on tobacco use prevention in our state based on population statistics.
REQUEST:
Support tobacco prevention for the amount of $8 million.
OUTCOME:
The American Cancer Society was successful in seeking an increase to last yearÂs appropriation in HB 2 (the master budget bill) for funding the New Mexico Department of Health Tobacco Use Prevention and Cessation (TUPAC) program. Last yearÂs appropriation was $5 million for the TUPAC program. This year, tobacco use prevention funding received $6 million in the budget  presumably all to be set aside for the TUPAC program  and a tremendous accomplishment in a difficult budget year. The TUPAC program is the only statewide tobacco use prevention program sponsored by the New Mexico Department of Health which accesses every county in the state using CDC-recommended best practices.
2. Cancer Clinical Trials Patient Coverage
Cancer patients risk losing their current health care coverage as they attempt to seek clinical trials accessible only outside their approved provider network and health plan parameters. This bill, first enacted 2 years ago, required that health care insurance plans NOT drop coverage for patients who seek these clinical trials. The "sunset clause," or expiration date, of this legislation, was originally set to be June, 2004.
REQUEST:
Support SB 73 which extends the sunset clause on the bill providing coverage for patients seeking cancer clinical trials
OUTCOME:
SB 73 passed the legislature on unanimous votes in both the Senate and the House and it now awaits the GovernorÂs signature in the next 20 days. SB 73, sponsored by Senator Dede Feldman, D-Albuquerque, extends for another 5 years (Âtil 2009) the expiration of the current state law that requires HMOs to continue providing health coverage for cancer patients who choose to seek clinical trials. The new 5-year limit on this bill is compromise legislation between ACS and the medical coverage plans.
3. Pain Management
The medical provider community occasionally fails to adequately treat pain resulting from cancer due to (1) lack of sufficient awareness and training in new approaches to treating pain; (2) fear of lawsuits for medical malpractice; and/or (3) a lack of understanding of the pain and quality of life issues involved in treating cancer patients. HB 163 (sponsored by House Majority Floor Leader Danice Picraux, D- Albuquerque) provided for a Pain Management Advisory Council to be created and directs this body to organize better training of medical professionals in their use of pain medications.
REQUEST:
Support HB 163 to provide for better pain management for cancer patients
OUTC
OME:
This bill died due to lack of time on the final day of this 30-day session as it was awaiting a final vote on the floor of the Senate after having passed all committee assignments.
4. Prostate Cancer Plan
According the American Cancer Society, in New Mexico, most new cases of cancer for men will be prostate cancer, with 1,200 projected to be diagnosed each year. During the 2003 Legislative Session, Senator Ben Altamirano (D-Silver City) appropriated $100,000 to DOH to fund an awareness and education program on the issue of prostate cancer. $30,000 of this is to be dedicated to rural NM. ACS was instrumental in this appropriation.
REQUEST:
Continue Funding the Prostate Cancer Education and Awareness Program at the amount of $100,000.
OUTCOME:
Senator Ben Altamirano (D- Silver City) has acknowledged our requests to set aside $100,000 worth of prostate cancer awareness and education funding in HB 2. Sen. Altamirano has authorized that this program budget be administered as a recurring program expense within the Department of Health budget (more generally protected from yearly cuts than are stand-alone, annual appropriations, as was the case for this program until this latest budget authorization).
5. New Mexico Lobby Day at the Roundhouse: A Summary
The American Cancer Society advocates for strong cancer policy at the Federal, State, and Local levels of government.
American Cancer Society Lobby Day in New Mexico was held during the second week of the 30-day State legislative session on Jan. 29. The American Cancer Society partnered on this event with the American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association, and the New Mexico Coalition for the Promotion of Physical Activity and Nutrition. Well over 100 volunteers attended the event.
After a breakfast briefing, lobbyists and staff for the Society coordinated visits between lawmakers and volunteer advocates who wished to speak on American Cancer Society issues to their State Senators or members of the House of Representatives. Volunteers reported back in writing on conversations they had with lawmakers and their staff. Over 95% of the lawmakers in the New Mexico House and Senate received visits from Society staff and volunteers on that day.
As an additional measure intended to raise awareness for the importance of physical activity and nutrition (and since cancer incidence is affected by these lifestyle choices), the Society facilitated an activity on the floor of the Senate in which all senators were coached by professional fitness trainers through a variety of physical exercises intended to increase strength, flexibility, and heart rate. This event was also ground-breaking from the perspective that the Society, the American Heart Association, and American Diabetes Association have very recently signed agreements at the national level directing new collaborative efforts within policy/prevention initiatives. The Lobby Day event received great news coverage on local news in Santa Fe and Albuquerque.
For more information:
Nathan Bush
New Mexico Director for Government Relations
(505)262-6019
Benita McKerry
Government Relations Grassroots Manager
(877)718-4879
New Mexico Advocacy Update - American Cancer Society
The 2004 New Mexico Legislative Session ended on Feb. 19, 2004. This was a 30-day session focusing on budgetary items or other items deemed relevant by Governor Richardson. The following list is wrap-up on advocacy activities related to our priorities. The Governor has 20 days from the end of session to sign or veto bills, and the American Cancer Society will continue to advocate for our successes until they are signed into law.
American Cancer Society State Legislative Lobby Day was held January 29, and over 100 advocates attended from across the state. Thank you to all who participated.
1. Increase funding for Tobacco Use Prevention and Cessation
Lung cancer remains the number one cause of cancer death in New Mexico with an estimated 700 deaths each year. Tobacco prevention programs work to protect kids, save lives, and save money for taxpayers and citizens of our state by reducing tobacco-related health care costs, both public and private. The CDC recommends spending a minimum of $14 million on tobacco use prevention in our state based on population statistics.
REQUEST:
Support tobacco prevention for the amount of $8 million.
OUTCOME:
The American Cancer Society was successful in seeking an increase to last yearÂs appropriation in HB 2 (the master budget bill) for funding the New Mexico Department of Health Tobacco Use Prevention and Cessation (TUPAC) program. Last yearÂs appropriation was $5 million for the TUPAC program. This year, tobacco use prevention funding received $6 million in the budget  presumably all to be set aside for the TUPAC program  and a tremendous accomplishment in a difficult budget year. The TUPAC program is the only statewide tobacco use prevention program sponsored by the New Mexico Department of Health which accesses every county in the state using CDC-recommended best practices.
2. Cancer Clinical Trials Patient Coverage
Cancer patients risk losing their current health care coverage as they attempt to seek clinical trials accessible only outside their approved provider network and health plan parameters. This bill, first enacted 2 years ago, required that health care insurance plans NOT drop coverage for patients who seek these clinical trials. The "sunset clause," or expiration date, of this legislation, was originally set to be June, 2004.
REQUEST:
Support SB 73 which extends the sunset clause on the bill providing coverage for patients seeking cancer clinical trials
OUTCOME:
SB 73 passed the legislature on unanimous votes in both the Senate and the House and it now awaits the GovernorÂs signature in the next 20 days. SB 73, sponsored by Senator Dede Feldman, D-Albuquerque, extends for another 5 years (Âtil 2009) the expiration of the current state law that requires HMOs to continue providing health coverage for cancer patients who choose to seek clinical trials. The new 5-year limit on this bill is compromise legislation between ACS and the medical coverage plans.
3. Pain Management
The medical provider community occasionally fails to adequately treat pain resulting from cancer due to (1) lack of sufficient awareness and training in new approaches to treating pain; (2) fear of lawsuits for medical malpractice; and/or (3) a lack of understanding of the pain and quality of life issues involved in treating cancer patients. HB 163 (sponsored by House Majority Floor Leader Danice Picraux, D- Albuquerque) provided for a Pain Management Advisory Council to be created and directs this body to organize better training of medical professionals in their use of pain medications.
REQUEST:
Support HB 163 to provide for better pain management for cancer patients
OUTC
OME:
This bill died due to lack of time on the final day of this 30-day session as it was awaiting a final vote on the floor of the Senate after having passed all committee assignments.
4. Prostate Cancer Plan
According the American Cancer Society, in New Mexico, most new cases of cancer for men will be prostate cancer, with 1,200 projected to be diagnosed each year. During the 2003 Legislative Session, Senator Ben Altamirano (D-Silver City) appropriated $100,000 to DOH to fund an awareness and education program on the issue of prostate cancer. $30,000 of this is to be dedicated to rural NM. ACS was instrumental in this appropriation.
REQUEST:
Continue Funding the Prostate Cancer Education and Awareness Program at the amount of $100,000.
OUTCOME:
Senator Ben Altamirano (D- Silver City) has acknowledged our requests to set aside $100,000 worth of prostate cancer awareness and education funding in HB 2. Sen. Altamirano has authorized that this program budget be administered as a recurring program expense within the Department of Health budget (more generally protected from yearly cuts than are stand-alone, annual appropriations, as was the case for this program until this latest budget authorization).
5. New Mexico Lobby Day at the Roundhouse: A Summary
The American Cancer Society advocates for strong cancer policy at the Federal, State, and Local levels of government.
American Cancer Society Lobby Day in New Mexico was held during the second week of the 30-day State legislative session on Jan. 29. The American Cancer Society partnered on this event with the American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association, and the New Mexico Coalition for the Promotion of Physical Activity and Nutrition. Well over 100 volunteers attended the event.
After a breakfast briefing, lobbyists and staff for the Society coordinated visits between lawmakers and volunteer advocates who wished to speak on American Cancer Society issues to their State Senators or members of the House of Representatives. Volunteers reported back in writing on conversations they had with lawmakers and their staff. Over 95% of the lawmakers in the New Mexico House and Senate received visits from Society staff and volunteers on that day.
As an additional measure intended to raise awareness for the importance of physical activity and nutrition (and since cancer incidence is affected by these lifestyle choices), the Society facilitated an activity on the floor of the Senate in which all senators were coached by professional fitness trainers through a variety of physical exercises intended to increase strength, flexibility, and heart rate. This event was also ground-breaking from the perspective that the Society, the American Heart Association, and American Diabetes Association have very recently signed agreements at the national level directing new collaborative efforts within policy/prevention initiatives. The Lobby Day event received great news coverage on local news in Santa Fe and Albuquerque.
For more information:
Nathan Bush
New Mexico Director for Government Relations
(505)262-6019
Benita McKerry
Government Relations Grassroots Manager
(877)718-4879
Senator Altamirano successfully supports American sponsor of Prostate Cancer Plan - see below #4.
New Mexico Advocacy Update - American Cancer Society
The 2004 New Mexico Legislative Session ended on Feb. 19, 2004. This was a 30-day session focusing on budgetary items or other items deemed relevant by Governor Richardson. The following list is wrap-up on advocacy activities related to our priorities. The Governor has 20 days from the end of session to sign or veto bills, and the American Cancer Society will continue to advocate for our successes until they are signed into law.
American Cancer Society State Legislative Lobby Day was held January 29, and over 100 advocates attended from across the state. Thank you to all who participated.
1. Increase funding for Tobacco Use Prevention and Cessation
Lung cancer remains the number one cause of cancer death in New Mexico with an estimated 700 deaths each year. Tobacco prevention programs work to protect kids, save lives, and save money for taxpayers and citizens of our state by reducing tobacco-related health care costs, both public and private. The CDC recommends spending a minimum of $14 million on tobacco use prevention in our state based on population statistics.
REQUEST:
Support tobacco prevention for the amount of $8 million.
OUTCOME:
The American Cancer Society was successful in seeking an increase to last yearÂs appropriation in HB 2 (the master budget bill) for funding the New Mexico Department of Health Tobacco Use Prevention and Cessation (TUPAC) program. Last yearÂs appropriation was $5 million for the TUPAC program. This year, tobacco use prevention funding received $6 million in the budget  presumably all to be set aside for the TUPAC program  and a tremendous accomplishment in a difficult budget year. The TUPAC program is the only statewide tobacco use prevention program sponsored by the New Mexico Department of Health which accesses every county in the state using CDC-recommended best practices.
2. Cancer Clinical Trials Patient Coverage
Cancer patients risk losing their current health care coverage as they attempt to seek clinical trials accessible only outside their approved provider network and health plan parameters. This bill, first enacted 2 years ago, required that health care insurance plans NOT drop coverage for patients who seek these clinical trials. The "sunset clause," or expiration date, of this legislation, was originally set to be June, 2004.
REQUEST:
Support SB 73 which extends the sunset clause on the bill providing coverage for patients seeking cancer clinical trials
OUTCOME:
SB 73 passed the legislature on unanimous votes in both the Senate and the House and it now awaits the GovernorÂs signature in the next 20 days. SB 73, sponsored by Senator Dede Feldman, D-Albuquerque, extends for another 5 years (Âtil 2009) the expiration of the current state law that requires HMOs to continue providing health coverage for cancer patients who choose to seek clinical trials. The new 5-year limit on this bill is compromise legislation between ACS and the medical coverage plans.
3. Pain Management
The medical provider community occasionally fails to adequately treat pain resulting from cancer due to (1) lack of sufficient awareness and training in new approaches to treating pain; (2) fear of lawsuits for medical malpractice; and/or (3) a lack of understanding of the pain and quality of life issues involved in treating cancer patients. HB 163 (sponsored by House Majority Floor Leader Danice Picraux, D- Albuquerque) provided for a Pain Management Advisory Council to be created and directs this body to organize better training of medical professionals in their use of pain medications.
REQUEST:
Support HB 163 to provide for better pain management for cancer patients
OUTC
OME:
This bill died due to lack of time on the final day of this 30-day session as it was awaiting a final vote on the floor of the Senate after having passed all committee assignments.
4. Prostate Cancer Plan
According the American Cancer Society, in New Mexico, most new cases of cancer for men will be prostate cancer, with 1,200 projected to be diagnosed each year. During the 2003 Legislative Session, Senator Ben Altamirano (D-Silver City) appropriated $100,000 to DOH to fund an awareness and education program on the issue of prostate cancer. $30,000 of this is to be dedicated to rural NM. ACS was instrumental in this appropriation.
REQUEST:
Continue Funding the Prostate Cancer Education and Awareness Program at the amount of $100,000.
OUTCOME:
Senator Ben Altamirano (D- Silver City) has acknowledged our requests to set aside $100,000 worth of prostate cancer awareness and education funding in HB 2. Sen. Altamirano has authorized that this program budget be administered as a recurring program expense within the Department of Health budget (more generally protected from yearly cuts than are stand-alone, annual appropriations, as was the case for this program until this latest budget authorization).
5. New Mexico Lobby Day at the Roundhouse: A Summary
The American Cancer Society advocates for strong cancer policy at the Federal, State, and Local levels of government.
American Cancer Society Lobby Day in New Mexico was held during the second week of the 30-day State legislative session on Jan. 29. The American Cancer Society partnered on this event with the American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association, and the New Mexico Coalition for the Promotion of Physical Activity and Nutrition. Well over 100 volunteers attended the event.
After a breakfast briefing, lobbyists and staff for the Society coordinated visits between lawmakers and volunteer advocates who wished to speak on American Cancer Society issues to their State Senators or members of the House of Representatives. Volunteers reported back in writing on conversations they had with lawmakers and their staff. Over 95% of the lawmakers in the New Mexico House and Senate received visits from Society staff and volunteers on that day.
As an additional measure intended to raise awareness for the importance of physical activity and nutrition (and since cancer incidence is affected by these lifestyle choices), the Society facilitated an activity on the floor of the Senate in which all senators were coached by professional fitness trainers through a variety of physical exercises intended to increase strength, flexibility, and heart rate. This event was also ground-breaking from the perspective that the Society, the American Heart Association, and American Diabetes Association have very recently signed agreements at the national level directing new collaborative efforts within policy/prevention initiatives. The Lobby Day event received great news coverage on local news in Santa Fe and Albuquerque.
For more information:
Nathan Bush
New Mexico Director for Government Relations
(505)262-6019
Benita McKerry
Government Relations Grassroots Manager
(877)718-4879
New Mexico Advocacy Update - American Cancer Society
The 2004 New Mexico Legislative Session ended on Feb. 19, 2004. This was a 30-day session focusing on budgetary items or other items deemed relevant by Governor Richardson. The following list is wrap-up on advocacy activities related to our priorities. The Governor has 20 days from the end of session to sign or veto bills, and the American Cancer Society will continue to advocate for our successes until they are signed into law.
American Cancer Society State Legislative Lobby Day was held January 29, and over 100 advocates attended from across the state. Thank you to all who participated.
1. Increase funding for Tobacco Use Prevention and Cessation
Lung cancer remains the number one cause of cancer death in New Mexico with an estimated 700 deaths each year. Tobacco prevention programs work to protect kids, save lives, and save money for taxpayers and citizens of our state by reducing tobacco-related health care costs, both public and private. The CDC recommends spending a minimum of $14 million on tobacco use prevention in our state based on population statistics.
REQUEST:
Support tobacco prevention for the amount of $8 million.
OUTCOME:
The American Cancer Society was successful in seeking an increase to last yearÂs appropriation in HB 2 (the master budget bill) for funding the New Mexico Department of Health Tobacco Use Prevention and Cessation (TUPAC) program. Last yearÂs appropriation was $5 million for the TUPAC program. This year, tobacco use prevention funding received $6 million in the budget  presumably all to be set aside for the TUPAC program  and a tremendous accomplishment in a difficult budget year. The TUPAC program is the only statewide tobacco use prevention program sponsored by the New Mexico Department of Health which accesses every county in the state using CDC-recommended best practices.
2. Cancer Clinical Trials Patient Coverage
Cancer patients risk losing their current health care coverage as they attempt to seek clinical trials accessible only outside their approved provider network and health plan parameters. This bill, first enacted 2 years ago, required that health care insurance plans NOT drop coverage for patients who seek these clinical trials. The "sunset clause," or expiration date, of this legislation, was originally set to be June, 2004.
REQUEST:
Support SB 73 which extends the sunset clause on the bill providing coverage for patients seeking cancer clinical trials
OUTCOME:
SB 73 passed the legislature on unanimous votes in both the Senate and the House and it now awaits the GovernorÂs signature in the next 20 days. SB 73, sponsored by Senator Dede Feldman, D-Albuquerque, extends for another 5 years (Âtil 2009) the expiration of the current state law that requires HMOs to continue providing health coverage for cancer patients who choose to seek clinical trials. The new 5-year limit on this bill is compromise legislation between ACS and the medical coverage plans.
3. Pain Management
The medical provider community occasionally fails to adequately treat pain resulting from cancer due to (1) lack of sufficient awareness and training in new approaches to treating pain; (2) fear of lawsuits for medical malpractice; and/or (3) a lack of understanding of the pain and quality of life issues involved in treating cancer patients. HB 163 (sponsored by House Majority Floor Leader Danice Picraux, D- Albuquerque) provided for a Pain Management Advisory Council to be created and directs this body to organize better training of medical professionals in their use of pain medications.
REQUEST:
Support HB 163 to provide for better pain management for cancer patients
OUTC
OME:
This bill died due to lack of time on the final day of this 30-day session as it was awaiting a final vote on the floor of the Senate after having passed all committee assignments.
4. Prostate Cancer Plan
According the American Cancer Society, in New Mexico, most new cases of cancer for men will be prostate cancer, with 1,200 projected to be diagnosed each year. During the 2003 Legislative Session, Senator Ben Altamirano (D-Silver City) appropriated $100,000 to DOH to fund an awareness and education program on the issue of prostate cancer. $30,000 of this is to be dedicated to rural NM. ACS was instrumental in this appropriation.
REQUEST:
Continue Funding the Prostate Cancer Education and Awareness Program at the amount of $100,000.
OUTCOME:
Senator Ben Altamirano (D- Silver City) has acknowledged our requests to set aside $100,000 worth of prostate cancer awareness and education funding in HB 2. Sen. Altamirano has authorized that this program budget be administered as a recurring program expense within the Department of Health budget (more generally protected from yearly cuts than are stand-alone, annual appropriations, as was the case for this program until this latest budget authorization).
5. New Mexico Lobby Day at the Roundhouse: A Summary
The American Cancer Society advocates for strong cancer policy at the Federal, State, and Local levels of government.
American Cancer Society Lobby Day in New Mexico was held during the second week of the 30-day State legislative session on Jan. 29. The American Cancer Society partnered on this event with the American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association, and the New Mexico Coalition for the Promotion of Physical Activity and Nutrition. Well over 100 volunteers attended the event.
After a breakfast briefing, lobbyists and staff for the Society coordinated visits between lawmakers and volunteer advocates who wished to speak on American Cancer Society issues to their State Senators or members of the House of Representatives. Volunteers reported back in writing on conversations they had with lawmakers and their staff. Over 95% of the lawmakers in the New Mexico House and Senate received visits from Society staff and volunteers on that day.
As an additional measure intended to raise awareness for the importance of physical activity and nutrition (and since cancer incidence is affected by these lifestyle choices), the Society facilitated an activity on the floor of the Senate in which all senators were coached by professional fitness trainers through a variety of physical exercises intended to increase strength, flexibility, and heart rate. This event was also ground-breaking from the perspective that the Society, the American Heart Association, and American Diabetes Association have very recently signed agreements at the national level directing new collaborative efforts within policy/prevention initiatives. The Lobby Day event received great news coverage on local news in Santa Fe and Albuquerque.
For more information:
Nathan Bush
New Mexico Director for Government Relations
(505)262-6019
Benita McKerry
Government Relations Grassroots Manager
(877)718-4879
Wednesday, March 3, 2004
City, county projects targeted for $2.6 million in funding
Dana L. Bowley El Defensor Chieftain Editor
Socorro County entities are in line to receive more than $2.6 million in total capital outlay funding next fiscal year as a result of legislative action last month. New Mexico Tech is penciled in for more than $5 million in total funding, and Catron County is scheduled to receive $928,820.
The funds are contained in two bills passed by the Legislature in the just ended 30-day session.
The first is the general capital outlay bill — the so-called "pork" bill — which distributes money from the general fund and other designated funds to the state's communities for projects ranging from senior centers to water system improvements. That bill is awaiting action by the governor, who has the authority to veto individual items before signing it.
Gov. Bill Richardson has until March 10 to complete action on the bill, so final capital outlay totals won't be official until he signs, but Socorro County, Catron County and Tech totals shouldn't change much, according to state Rep. Don Tripp, a Republican who represents all of Socorro and Catron counties and part of Valencia County.
In general, capital outlay bill money is divided in thirds among the House, Senate and the governor. In the House and Senate, the money is divided among the lawmakers, who then designate their "share" to the projects they deem most pressing in their districts. The governor generally uses his "share" to supplement larger projects or cover projects that lawmakers couldn't.
Most of the money designated for Socorro and Catron counties was requested by Tripp or Sen. Ben Altamirano. Some of it comes from the governor's share.
The second bill containing funds is one calling for issuance of general obligation bonds. That must be approved by voters in November. If the bond issue is not approved by the voters, the entities don't get that money.
Of the $2.6 million designated for the county, the City of Socorro is the largest recipient with about $1.44 million in funding. All but $25,500 of that is included in the capital outlay bill.
The largest single Socorro project funded in the bill is $500,000 for wastewater projects. The city had requested $1.5 million to complete replacement of sewer lines in the city. Now the project will have to be done in phases.
Actually the biggest project appears to be $510,000 designated for infrastructure improvements around the plaza, but that amount is actually a mistake, Tripp said.
As a result of a miscommunication, Tripp and Altamirano put duplicate requests in the capital outlay bill for the project, Tripp $260,000 and Altamirano $250,000. In all likelihood, one of those allocations will be held over to the following year for re-designation.
The city requested the money to correct drainage problems around the plaza that cause the streets to deteriorate.
Other Socorro projects funded in the capital outlay bill are: $50,000 for animal shelter renovations and equipment; $150,000 for park improvements; and $200,000 for recreation and park equipment.
The $25,500 for Socorro included in the general obligation bond bill is for Senior Center improvements.
Socorro schools are designated for small amounts in both bills: $100,000 in the capital outlay bill for educational technology; and $57,800 in the bond bill for a full-day kindergarten portable classroom.
There is $500,000 in the bond bill for the construction of the Senior Center in Magdalena. The village's only funding in the outlay bill is $50,000 to the schools for furnishings and equipment.
The rest of Socorro County is scheduled to receive $567,500 from the outlay bill, with no funding from the bond issue.
The biggest project is $250,000 for the San Acacia Water System. There are also funds for educational technology at La Promesa Elementary School, La Joya Community Center construction, county road department for a trailer and tanker truck, and for projects at Alamo.
Most of the money designated for New Mexico Tech is contained in the bond issue. Those funds include $3.5 million for the renovation of Kelly and Jones halls, and $750,000 for infrastructure renovation and expansion.
From the capital outlay bill, Tech is slated to receive $770,000, with $500,000 of that allocated for information technology equipment. The remainder of the funds are designated for golf course facilities renovation, infrastructure and the Mesa Professional Development Program.
Of the $928,820 in the two bills for Catron County, $350,000 is designated in the capital outlay bill for Reserve: $175,000 for repair and upgrade of the roof at the high school; $75,000 for the Elfego Baca Memorial land purchase; $50,000 for other capital improvements at the high school; and $50,000 for the primary care clinic construction.
Reserve is also the target of the only bond issue money for the county, $57,820 for a full-day kindergarten portable classroom.
Glenwood is slated to receive a total $300,000 in outlay funds for the community center and library.
Other Catron projects to be funded include: senior program vehicles; Pie Town MDWA water lines and metering; Mountaineer Road improvements; and funds for a county fair building.
The News-Bulletin: City, county projects targeted for $2.6 million in funding
City, county projects targeted for $2.6 million in funding
Dana L. Bowley El Defensor Chieftain Editor
Socorro County entities are in line to receive more than $2.6 million in total capital outlay funding next fiscal year as a result of legislative action last month. New Mexico Tech is penciled in for more than $5 million in total funding, and Catron County is scheduled to receive $928,820.
The funds are contained in two bills passed by the Legislature in the just ended 30-day session.
The first is the general capital outlay bill — the so-called "pork" bill — which distributes money from the general fund and other designated funds to the state's communities for projects ranging from senior centers to water system improvements. That bill is awaiting action by the governor, who has the authority to veto individual items before signing it.
Gov. Bill Richardson has until March 10 to complete action on the bill, so final capital outlay totals won't be official until he signs, but Socorro County, Catron County and Tech totals shouldn't change much, according to state Rep. Don Tripp, a Republican who represents all of Socorro and Catron counties and part of Valencia County.
In general, capital outlay bill money is divided in thirds among the House, Senate and the governor. In the House and Senate, the money is divided among the lawmakers, who then designate their "share" to the projects they deem most pressing in their districts. The governor generally uses his "share" to supplement larger projects or cover projects that lawmakers couldn't.
Most of the money designated for Socorro and Catron counties was requested by Tripp or Sen. Ben Altamirano. Some of it comes from the governor's share.
The second bill containing funds is one calling for issuance of general obligation bonds. That must be approved by voters in November. If the bond issue is not approved by the voters, the entities don't get that money.
Of the $2.6 million designated for the county, the City of Socorro is the largest recipient with about $1.44 million in funding. All but $25,500 of that is included in the capital outlay bill.
The largest single Socorro project funded in the bill is $500,000 for wastewater projects. The city had requested $1.5 million to complete replacement of sewer lines in the city. Now the project will have to be done in phases.
Actually the biggest project appears to be $510,000 designated for infrastructure improvements around the plaza, but that amount is actually a mistake, Tripp said.
As a result of a miscommunication, Tripp and Altamirano put duplicate requests in the capital outlay bill for the project, Tripp $260,000 and Altamirano $250,000. In all likelihood, one of those allocations will be held over to the following year for re-designation.
The city requested the money to correct drainage problems around the plaza that cause the streets to deteriorate.
Other Socorro projects funded in the capital outlay bill are: $50,000 for animal shelter renovations and equipment; $150,000 for park improvements; and $200,000 for recreation and park equipment.
The $25,500 for Socorro included in the general obligation bond bill is for Senior Center improvements.
Socorro schools are designated for small amounts in both bills: $100,000 in the capital outlay bill for educational technology; and $57,800 in the bond bill for a full-day kindergarten portable classroom.
There is $500,000 in the bond bill for the construction of the Senior Center in Magdalena. The village's only funding in the outlay bill is $50,000 to the schools for furnishings and equipment.
The rest of Socorro County is scheduled to receive $567,500 from the outlay bill, with no funding from the bond issue.
The biggest project is $250,000 for the San Acacia Water System. There are also funds for educational technology at La Promesa Elementary School, La Joya Community Center construction, county road department for a trailer and tanker truck, and for projects at Alamo.
Most of the money designated for New Mexico Tech is contained in the bond issue. Those funds include $3.5 million for the renovation of Kelly and Jones halls, and $750,000 for infrastructure renovation and expansion.
From the capital outlay bill, Tech is slated to receive $770,000, with $500,000 of that allocated for information technology equipment. The remainder of the funds are designated for golf course facilities renovation, infrastructure and the Mesa Professional Development Program.
Of the $928,820 in the two bills for Catron County, $350,000 is designated in the capital outlay bill for Reserve: $175,000 for repair and upgrade of the roof at the high school; $75,000 for the Elfego Baca Memorial land purchase; $50,000 for other capital improvements at the high school; and $50,000 for the primary care clinic construction.
Reserve is also the target of the only bond issue money for the county, $57,820 for a full-day kindergarten portable classroom.
Glenwood is slated to receive a total $300,000 in outlay funds for the community center and library.
Other Catron projects to be funded include: senior program vehicles; Pie Town MDWA water lines and metering; Mountaineer Road improvements; and funds for a county fair building.
The News-Bulletin: City, county projects targeted for $2.6 million in funding
This is the first posting on this blog by ErnestO Stolpe - it is my hope that this blog will help Senator Ben Altamirano in his re-election campaign.
