State government hasn't properly balanced its checkbook for more than six years, and officials in Gov. Susana Martinez's administration are warning lawmakers that New Mexico's cash surplus is from $70 million to $460 million less than what been anticipated .
Officials stress there's no immediate risk of New Mexico being unable to pay its bills because of the problems in the state's computerized accounting system.
However, the state will have a smaller financial cushion in case of unexpected budget problems and less surplus cash to spend on projects such as capital improvements.
At issue is faulty implementation of a computer system in 2006. The accounting system didn't match fund balances shown by state agencies with cash in the state's bank accounts.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.