SANTA FE – Today, Governor Susana Martinez announced her plans to begin the process of cutting waste in state government by cutting wasteful spending in the Governor’s residence. Martinez will permanently eliminate the positions of two chefs, currently budgeted at annual salaries of $91,821 and $62,400, respectively. In addition, the residence manager’s annual salary will be reduced by nearly $25,000, to $55,000. A short-order cook and housekeeper will be retained. Total savings in Governor’s residence salaries will amount to at least $178,862, a total spending cut of 55 percent. “Tax dollars should not be wasted on a stable of chefs at the Governor’s residence,” said Governor Martinez. “This is a prime example of wasteful spending that exists in state government. At a time when New Mexicans are struggling and are being forced to make their own household budget cuts, there is no justifiable reason to budget two chefs for the governor.”
Martinez also announced significant cuts to cabinet members’ salaries.
• Each cabinet secretary will earn a lower salary than his or her predecessor
• Each cabinet secretary will earn a lower salary than his or her predecessor
• Cumulative salaries for New Mexico cabinet secretaries will be cut by at least ten percent over the previous administration
• No cabinet secretary will earn higher than $125,000 per year. During the previous administration, cabinet secretaries earned as high as $188,158 per year.
The announcement is part of the Governor’s ongoing commitment to fiscal responsibility through cutting government spending and closing the state’s budget deficit.“Families and small businesses across New Mexico are being forced to balance their budgets and cut back on their spending,” said Martinez. “It’s time for government to do the same and my cabinet will be leading by example.”
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