The Latest on plans for a special legislative session in New Mexico (all times local):
1:10 p.m.
A leading Republican budget negotiator in the New Mexico House of Representatives says he expects the state's budget shortfall can be addressed without staff layoffs or other major disruptions to government operations.
Rep. Larry Larranaga of Albuquerque on Thursday described the state's budget shortfall as serious but not a crisis as lawmakers prepare for a special session on Friday.
The chairman of the House appropriations and finance committee says most House Republicans have set a high priority on preserving funding for public safety, protective services for children and Medicaid health care.
He says potential funding cuts to public education spending would be focused on administrative areas and designed not to affect teachers.
10:50 a.m.
The Democratic majority floor leader of the New Mexico Senate says allied lawmakers are focused on resolving the state's budget crisis and that criminal justice initiatives backed by the state's Republican governor can wait.
Sen. Michael Sanchez of Belen said Thursday that Senate Democrats are hoping to close tax loopholes to increase state revenues and avoid significant cuts to government programs and services during a special legislative session.
Gov. Susana Martinez plans to reconvene the Legislature on Friday to try and plug a budget shortfall linked to a downturn in energy markets and push for a vote on reinstating the death penalty for some crimes and tougher sentencing laws for violent crimes.
Sanchez says all other issues beyond the budget shortfall can wait until a regular legislative session in January.
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