The presiding judge for Dona Ana County's judicial district is concerned that a dimmer state revenue picture may put off creation of an additional judgeship.
The Las Cruces Sun-News reports that Presiding Judge Fernando Macias' optimism has faded somewhat now that legislators and Gov. Susana Martinez have learned that a drop in oil prices apparently will reduce the increase in state revenue in the next fiscal year.
That means there likely will be stiffer competition among projects and programs for state funding.
Macias says the Third Judicial District is streamlining its operations by having judges specialize in types of cases, but he says it'll be difficult to reduce its case backlog without an additional judgeship.
Macias says a new judge would likely specialize in children's cases.
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