Martinez Estimates $270 Million Revenue Surplus

Susana Martinez and Chuck Franco on Inauguration Day

When Susana Martinez took the oath of office as governor of New Mexico in 2011 she inherited a fiscal disaster. For the previous eight years her predecessor, Bill Richardson and the Democrat-controlled legislature spent, spent, and spent some more. They had also done their best to run off the state's breadwinning oil and gas producers leaving revenue sources in doubt.

Martinez promised a science-based common sense approach to energy policy and basic spending discipline when she took office. Apparently the governor has already delivered on those promises.

According a report by the Associated Press earlier today new financial forecasts of state tax revenues are $270 million above what was originally projected to be collected. Budget officials within the Martinez administration revealed the latest revenue projections to the Legislative Finance Committee during a meeting in Angel Fire earlier today. This good fiscal and political news for Martinez comes on the heels of a trip the governor will be making to Tampa, Florida early next week. There she is set make a prime time speech at the Republcan National Convention. Martinez is slated to address the GOP faithful just before keynote speaker Chris Christie takes the podium.

Martinez Estimates $270 Million Revenue Surplus