Josh and I just finished meeting with the governor about the budget (we went to his open office hours in Albuquerque, and another member from CYFD was also there to testify).

     We gave him our full set of revenue alternative proposals, and asked that they be considered for the special session.  He told us the same thing we're hearing from both House and Senate leadership, that revenue increases aren't going to be heard at the special, but that everything's on the table for the January session.

     Having said that, we need to keep putting revenue ideas in front of legislators and the governor so that if the deficit continues to worsen they may consider revenue alternatives in the special.  Additionally, if they say no to us now, it strengthens our position with them in January.  Plus, they'll be more familiar with the revenue ideas we're putting forward and it will make them more likely to go through in January.

     The governor reiterated that he believes there will be no layoffs or furloughs if cuts are held to 3% in the special.  The legislature, as you know from my last update, is talking about cuts in the 4%-7.5% range, and the governor said that he believes there will definitely have to be some layoffs or furloughs if we go beyond 3%.

     We need to start calling key legislators on the legislative working committee for the special session, most of whom are also on the Senate Finance or House Appropriations committee. 

     Our message is simple:  Keep agency and university cuts to a minimum, and start raising revenue. 

     The legislators and governor have plenty of specific ideas to raise revenue in front of them, and if you get to talk to them please use the revenue ideas and talking points from yesterday's update.  But for quick phone calls, messages, and emails, all we need to do is let them know that thousands of New Mexicans are opposed to additional cuts.

     Here is a list of 10 key legislators and the phone number to call (listed on the legislative website as their contact number when they're not at the Roundhouse):

House of Representatives:

• Rick Miera (D-Abq) 505-843-6641
• Kiki Saavedra (D-Abq) 505-242-9582
• Ed Sandoval (D-Abq) 505-344-8449
• Lucky Varela (D-Santa Fe) 505-982-1292
• Speaker Ben Lujan (D-Santa Fe) 505-455-3354

Senate:

• Carlos Cisneros (D-Questa) 575-670-5610
• Howie Morales (D-Silver City) 575-574-0043
• Michael Sanchez (D-Belen) 505-865-5583
• John Sapien (D-Bernalillo) 505-765-5662
• John Arthur Smith (D-Deming) 505-546-8546

     Please let me and Josh know what kind of feedback you're getting from each of these legislators.  We'd like to know what they're saying to constituents and members of the public, which all of you are. 

     Remember, they may be slightly annoyed that you're contacting them at home or their work away from the Roundhouse, but we're basically already in the middle of the real work of the special session, and they signed up for the job of representing us, the people of New Mexico.  You have every right to let them know how important raising new revenue and stopping cuts is to each and every one of us and to the citizens of our state.

Go get 'em Green Machine!  --Carter

Carter Bundy
Political Action Representative
AFSCME International
1202 Pennsylvania St. NE
Albuquerque, NM 87110