NM may close state parks because of budget cuts

State parks may be closed and there could be fewer environmental inspections of oil and gas wells because of looming budget cuts, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson's administration said Friday.

Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department Secretary Joanna Prukop did not specify which of the state's 35 parks could be at risk of closing if the governor signs a bill requiring 7.6 percent budget reductions for executive branch agencies.

The agency will need to save $1.9 million this year and may not fill vacant jobs, including 25 park law enforcement positions, according to Prukop. The department also may reduce maintenance at parks and trails, and there could be delays in processing applications for oil and gas drilling as well as timber cutting.

"The cuts will have a dramatic impact on this agency's ability to serve the citizens of New Mexico and to ensure the protection of the environment," Prukop said.

Other executive branch agencies said this week that services for the elderly, children and poor will be curtailed and state workers could be furloughed because of looming budget cuts.

Lawmakers trimmed spending by about $253 million during a special session last week to deal with a budget shortfall. Reductions in Richardson administration agencies are estimated to save about $94 million.

Sen. John Arthur Smith, a Deming Democrat and chairman of the Senate committee that handles the budget, said he and other lawmakers warned Richardson before the special session that administration agencies could face larger budget cuts if the Legislature followed the governor's recommendation to shield public schools from most cutbacks.

State aid to schools was cut by about 1 percent, but schools account for more than 40 percent of the state budget.

"It's just amazing the crying now that is happening," said Smith. "Now his political strategy is, 'Look what they did to me.'"

The governor has until Nov. 12 to sign or veto the budget-cutting bill. Richardson could use his line-item veto powers to reject portions in the bill requiring administration agency cuts and the elimination of 102 political appointee jobs. The bill also reduces spending on courts and prosecutors, colleges and universities, public schools, the Legislature and elected officials such as the secretary of state.