Gov. Susana Martinez is gearing up for the Legislature by preparing to unveil her budget proposals to lawmakers.
The Republican governor is scheduled to release her budget recommendations Monday afternoon. The Legislature convenes Jan. 21 for a 30-day session that's limited mostly to budget, tax and other issues placed on the agenda by the governor.
Martinez has outlined some spending initiatives in recent weeks, including higher starting salaries for teachers, $12 million for merit pay bonuses for educators and expanding programs that can help bring nurses and other medical providers to rural areas.
Finance and Administration Secretary Tom Clifford has told lawmakers the overall budget increase should be kept in the 4 percent range next year to protect New Mexico in case revenue growth is less than expected.
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