By KRWG News
New Mexico – Lt. Gov. Diane Denish has outlined a campaign plan to save the state $450 million over five years, including by cutting political appointees in the government work force.
Denish is running for the Democratic nomination for governor. She outlined measures on Tuesday that she said should make state government operate more efficiently.
Among the proposals is to cut 100 political appointive positions and offer a one-time voluntary buyout for state workers in so-called classified jobs with civil service protections. Denish said the state could save up to $160 million over five years if 2 percent of state workers accepted the buy-out.
Denish also suggested consolidating several state agencies and using video conferencing for meetings to reduce travel by government workers.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.