HOUSE MEMORIAL 2

49th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second special session, 2010

INTRODUCED BY

Dennis J. Roch

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE LEGISLATIVE FINANCE COMMITTEE TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE CORE FUNCTIONS OF STATE GOVERNMENT.

     WHEREAS, New Mexico faces a severe revenue shortfall for the current and future fiscal year; and

     WHEREAS, the legislature must establish budget priorities and core functions of state government to better prepare future budgets; and

     WHEREAS, determining core functions of government is a positive step toward more accountability in state government and the budgeting process;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the legislative finance committee be requested to study and make recommendations to the legislature on the core functions of government so that the legislature may make budget decisions on the basis of agreed-upon priorities; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the committee be requested to determine which functions of state government are required by the constitution of New Mexico and the United States constitution and which services are essential to the residents of New Mexico; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the legislative finance committee, in making its recommendations, be requested to consider the goals of protecting people and communities through law enforcement, judicial and corrections programs; providing for an educated citizenry by ensuring that all children receive an equal opportunity to achieve academic success; encouraging job creation and entrepreneurship by removing regulatory barriers to job production; providing a safety net of social services; building and maintaining the infrastructure to accommodate transportation and utilities; requiring state agencies to conduct business in an efficient, transparent and accountable manner; and managing public property and natural resources while protecting the property rights of private property owners; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the legislative finance committee make its recommendations to the first session of the fiftieth legislature regarding development of measurable outcomes for each of the recommended core functions of government; methods for setting priorities among state agency programs, based on how effectively and efficiently each program will address core functions of government; and development by each state agency of a mission statement, a description of the actions and priorities necessary to accomplish the agency's mission and a process for submitting budget requests that reflect the mission and priorities; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the director of the legislative finance committee.

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