Senate approves money for courts

Bill adds $900,000 of emergency funding

SANTA FE — New Mexico’s cashstrapped court system would get an infusion of more than $900,000 in emergency funds under a bill approved Wednesday by the state Senate.

The money would be used to pay jurors starting in March and avoid furloughing certain Supreme Court employees while allowing the 12th Judicial District Court in southern New Mexico to resume normal operating hours.

Supreme Court Chief Justice Charles Daniels, who told lawmakers in a speech last week that the state judicial system was in “crisis” due to a lack of funding, called the vote in favor of the emergency funding bill a positive step.

“We look forward to continuing to work with the House and Senate to ensure there are adequate resources for a functioning justice system in New Mexico,” Daniels said.

In an unconventional move, the Senate included the emergency appropriations in a “feed bill” that also appropriates about $8.9 million for the expenses of the 60-day session that started last week.

The measure, Senate Bill 176, passed 33-5. It now moves on to the House.

Senate Minority Leader Stuart Ingle, R-Portales, who co-sponsored the legislation, said it’s essential that the state judicial and legislative branches continue functioning despite an ongoing revenue downturn that has prompted sweeping budget cuts.

“Courts all over the place are out of money,” Ingle said.

However, opponents of the measure questioned why the emergency funding was not proposed in separate legislation.

“I still don’t understand why we’re giving additional money to government agencies who overspent their budgets,” said Sen. Craig Brandt, R-Rio Rancho.

In addition to funding legislative session expenses and legislative agencies, the bill would provide emergency funding in the following amounts:

$800,000 for the Administrative Office of the Courts for jury and court interpreter payments.

$80,000 for the New Mexico Supreme Court to avoid employee furloughs.

$37,100 for the 12th Judicial District, which encompasses Otero and Lincoln counties.

$200,000 for the state Aging and Long-Term Services Departments to address a shortfall in an agency program serving vulnerable seniors.

Members of the state Board of Finance, including Gov. Susana Martinez, last month postponed action on several funding requests from the courts, saying it should be the Legislature’s job to address funding concerns.

The House has already approved its own “feed bill” legislation, which appropriates less money than the Senate version —about $8.7 million —for legislative session expenses.