SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 5

50th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2012

INTRODUCED BY

Timothy M. Keller

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE NEW MEXICO LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO CREATE A LEGISLATIVE INTERIM GOVERNMENT REFORM COMMITTEE.

     WHEREAS, in 2010, the legislative interim government restructuring task force was tasked with studying the current resources of state agencies, programs, services, funding and policies and the public needs served by them; and

     WHEREAS, the government restructuring task force included in its study the recommendations of the 2009 governor's committee on government efficiency, also known as the Carruthers committee; the need for consolidation of agencies and elimination or reduction of redundant, duplicative or overlapping programs and services; and current and projected revenue estimates for the next three to five years; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico is experiencing one of its toughest financial times since the Great Depression, and the legislature and the executive must work together to ensure that state government is able to provide essential services to its residents at the least cost to its taxpayers; and

     WHEREAS, the government restructuring task force advised that, in order to ensure that state government is able to provide essential services to its residents, more than one interim's work will be required, acknowledging that there is still work to be done if state government and state funding are to be right-sized for the next decade;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the New Mexico legislative council be requested to create an interim legislative government reform committee to continue the work of the 2010 government restructuring task force; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the government reform committee:

          A. meet on a regular basis and conduct hearings on issues relating to state and local government reform, structure and process;

           B. conduct a continuing study that evaluates the efficiency of the state's agencies, programs, services, funding and policies;

          C. oversee and monitor state agencies and take testimony from state and local officials on state agency needs;

          D. undertake an ongoing examination of the statutes, constitutional provisions, regulations and court decisions relating to state and local government in New Mexico; and

          E. report its findings and recommendations, including legislation or necessary changes, to each session of the legislature on or before December 15 of each year; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the co-chairs of New Mexico legislative council.

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