Lawmakers call for action regarding payout to NMSU President

Dr. Barbara Couture
New Mexico State University plans to pay departing President Barbara Couture a nearly $454,000 severance package in January.  
The package was not required in her employment contract, which allowed the Board of Regents to end the contract with a majority vote.  
State Rep. Andy Nunez of Hatch told the Las Cruces Sun-News Wednesday that he'll support a bill banning such payouts for government employees. Rep. Mary Helen Garcia of Las Cruces says she wants to investigate how and why the university's Board of Regents agreed to the payout earlier this week.
The University says the payout will be funded with savings accumulated from as many as 15 vacant administrative positions.
NMSU spokeswoman Julie Hughes says the 10 to 15 vacancies should be filled early next year.
Couture's payout is drawing criticism from state lawmakers who say legislation is needed to stop so-called "golden parachutes" for highly paid employees who resign or are fired from state jobs.


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