Santa Fe courthouse needs furniture to open

A government board led by Gov. Susana Martinez is to consider providing money to help furnish a new Santa Fe courthouse, which likely will sit vacant before judges and court workers can move in next year. 

The 1st Judicial District plans to ask the State Board of Finance on Wednesday for $250,000 to buy some furniture for the $60 million district courthouse, which is to be completed this month. 

Martinez vetoed nearly $1.4 million the Legislature approved for courthouse furnishings earlier this year, and the board has so far declined to provide emergency money for furniture. 

Administrative Office of the Courts Director Arthur Pepin says the courthouse can't be occupied without $650,000 for furniture and $200,000 for computer-related equipment. Money for courthouse furnishings will be requested from the Legislature.

Santa Fe courthouse needs furniture to open