SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 11

54th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2019

INTRODUCED BY

Bill Tallman

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE NEW MEXICO LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO CONVENE A TASK FORCE TO STUDY PREVIOUS RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE REDUCTION IN CABINET DEPARTMENTS AND TO MAKE FURTHER RECOMMENDATIONS.

     WHEREAS, in December 2009, Governor Bill Richardson appointed a committee on government efficiency and requested recommendations on efficiency measures that could be taken in the 2010 legislative session to reduce governmental expenditures by at least fifty million dollars ($50,000,000); and

     WHEREAS, the committee on government efficiency used the following criteria for evaluating cost-saving opportunities: the amount of money to be saved if adopted, ease and timing of implementation, mandatory obligations, economic impact of implementing change, span of control and agency size and better alignment with corresponding or related federal agencies; and

     WHEREAS, the 2009 committee on government efficiency recommended the need for consolidation of certain agencies and the elimination or reduction of redundant, duplicative and overlapping programs and services; and

     WHEREAS, during the 2010 regular legislative session, House Bill 237 was passed, creating a government restructuring task force to further explore the findings from the 2009 committee on government efficiency; and

     WHEREAS, in December 2010, the government restructuring task force submitted its final report; and

     WHEREAS, the government restructuring task force found that the proliferation of departments and agencies was a serious concern; and

     WHEREAS, the government restructuring task force recommended eliminating, merging and realigning certain agencies for cost savings, efficiency and effectiveness; and

     WHEREAS, several bills were introduced during the 2011 legislative session to implement the government restructuring task force recommendations, but none of the bills passed; and

     WHEREAS, during her term, Governor Susana Martinez discussed the consolidation of several departments, but no action was taken; and

     WHEREAS, the need to look at cost-saving measures, such as the elimination or consolidation of agencies in state government is still relevant;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the New Mexico legislative council be requested to convene a new task force to study the previous recommendations of the 2010 government restructuring task force and to determine if its recommendations are relevant for further legislative action; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the new task force be created to be composed of six current or former legislators appointed by the New Mexico legislative council and six current or former cabinet secretaries appointed by the governor; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the new task force be requested to issue a report on its findings and conclusions by October 31, 2019; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that duplicate copies of the report be filed with the legislative council service library; and

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

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