The New Mexico Senate has approved a slate of deficit cutting measures as a special legislative session moves into its second day.
The Legislature was meeting Saturday in efforts to address a major budget shortfall and consider criminal justice reforms backed by Gov. Susana Martinez that include a bill to reinstate the death penalty.
The Democrat-led Senate on Friday approved proposals to make up for a shortfall in state revenues by tapping a tobacco settlement fund, delaying corporate income tax decreases and limiting a tax credit for the creation of high-wage jobs.
New Mexico finished the budget year in June with a $131 million deficit after exhausting operating reserves, and has a projected budget shortfall for current year of $458 million.
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