NM Board Undecided On New Courthouse Furnishings

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The state Board of Finance remains undecided on whether to provide money to furnish a new district courthouse in Santa Fe and will try to negotiate to have Santa Fe County pay at least part of the costs.

The board agreed Monday to appoint a subcommittee to meet with county officials and seek an agreement on how to cover the $1 million that court officials say is needed for judges and other workers to move into the $60 million courthouse in January.

Gov. Susana Martinez vetoed nearly $1.4 million the Legislature approved for courthouse furnishings and she made it clear at the board meeting that she views it as the county's responsible — not the state's obligation — to pay for needed furniture, security equipment, fixtures and computer equipment.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.