No money to save college, Senate says

SANTA FE (KRQE) - Legislators added money for the New Mexico State Police but found none to rescue the College of Santa Fe as the state budget for next fiscal year approaches its final form.

The state budget at the center of this year's legislative session may soon head to the fourth floor of the Roundhouse for Governor Richardson's approval.

On Wednesday night the Senate approved a $5.5 billion budget plan for 2010 fiscal year beginning July 1. Nearly half of that budget, $2.37 billion, goes to public education.

To prevent public safety officer layoffs, which was a concern by the New Mexico State Police Officers Association, senators added $2 million to the package.

Not everyone was happy, however. During the debate money that would have helped the debt-ridden College of Santa Fe was not approved.

On Thursday Gov. Bill Richardson told KRQE News 13 he plans to do whatever he can to help save the school despite concerns from lawmakers like Sen. John Arthur Smith, D-Deming, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee.

"When you look at the economic environment of the state of New Mexico, we just flat don't have the extra dollars," Smith said.

Smith said the College of Santa Fe faces upwards of $45 million dollars of debt.

"There's a belief that the only way that you can clear this up is to take it through bankruptcy," Smith continued. "It has nothing to do with the merits of the College. We would dearly love to afford that, but these are difficult times."

At a Thursday afternoon news conference Richardson held a news conference vowed to help save the ailing College.

"I worry about a lot of the students, and faculty, and staff leaving," Richardson said. "The College of Santa Fe has been a tremendous asset to New Mexico, to Santa Fe, to our educational institutions.

"I think it would be a shame to let it go under."

Rep. Luciano "Lucky" Varela, D-Santa Fe, who sponsored a bill that would allow the state to take over CSF, said he still hopes the governor will help his cause.

"We have to hope that some way, maybe through the executive and the governor," Varela said. "That's a powerful office."

Varela's bill seems stalled in the Smith's committee.

The legislative session ends at noon Saturday.

The House still needs to agree with the budget approved by the Senate Wednesday.

If it doesn't a committee of lawmakers from both the House and Senate will have to come together to figure out a compromise.