Possible budget deal cuts $54 million from K-12 education

A potential deal to close this year's budget deficit grew out of a big committee of the powerful House Wednesday night. The bill cut $ 220 million in expenses, including $ 54 million in cuts to K-12 education, cleared the House Appropriations and Finance Committee by a vote of 11 to 6. He still has to go through the whole House, but moments after the vote, Sen. Majority Leader Michael Sanchez, D-Belen, said the Senate will be in charge of the budget if the House sent it to them. There are plans for the Senate to the author of his own budget plan, but it appeared Wednesday night that the camera will address the House legislation in place. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Luciano "Lucky" Varela, D-Santa Fe, is not guaranteed easy sledding in the House. Several lawmakers said liberal Democrats who opposed the cuts to education, House Republicans have said they think the legislation does not cut deep enough to help solve this year's budget deficit $ 650 million. Five state lawmakers oppose the legislation in committee Wednesday night were Republicans. One Democrat, Rep. Brian Egolf, D-Santa Fe, voted against. Currently, the Legislature is considering several other bills to address the deficit this year. The other draft law seeks to "sweep" or transfer of dollars from other funds in the state's main account in the general fund – to shore up the finances of New Mexico. The raids and transfers account for about $ 400 million, which means that once used is gone. Varela bill also makes use of some $ 79 million federal incentive to help close the deficit, ie the majority of setting the budget this year would come in the form of income over time. Varela bill in total would reach $ 220 million in cuts by cutting K-12 education by $ 54 million higher education by $ 35. 7 million and taking $ 11 million the Legislature, courts, prosecutors and elected officials. Medicaid program under the government health insurance revenue, they also come in the courts. All other agencies will cut costs by $ 102 million. "I had a hard time voting for this because it is cutting a lot of my constituents," Rep. Joni Gutierrez, D-Las Cruces, said. "But it's a step in the right direction. "Rep. Donald Bratton, R-Hobbs, had the opposite reaction. "We are using $ 400 million in cash for a while," he said. When state lawmakers return in January 2010 regular legislative session, said the state budget will still be in trouble due to the use of revenues over time. State lawmakers will have to find money to replace income over time. "January is going to be fun," he said.