Gov. proposes 3% budget increase

Gov. Martinez

Gov. Susana Martinez is proposing a 3 percent spending increase on education and state government programs next year, but no across-the-board pay raise for public employees.

 The governor on Monday released the administration's budget recommendations for the upcoming legislative session. Martinez called for spending nearly $6.1 billion in the fiscal year starting in July, an increase of almost $179 million. The governor proposed a smaller budget increase than the Legislative Finance Committee, which recommended a 4.3 percent or nearly $254 million spending increase.

Martinez recommended $14 million for targeted pay raises covering almost a third of the state workforce, including state police and prison correctional officers. 

The LFC has proposed a 1.5 percent pay raise for all state and school workers, with higher increases for many employees.

Gov. proposes 3% budget increase