Balancing state budget will take cooperation

SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) - Governor-elect Susana Martinez will still have to deal with a Democrat controlled legislature, but there will be a lot more Republicans in the house to back her up.

The Democrats lost eight house seats to the GOP Tuesday night, cutting their majority to just four. That could help in January when the legislature meets to battle with the budget. The state is looking at an estimated $260-million shortfall.

Speaker of the House Ben Lujan, D-New Mexico, said Tuesday night the House is ready to work with Martinez on the financial crunch. However, he is worried her campaign promises may come back to haunt her.

“It’s going to be some cooperation, you know, we’re in a situation that they’ve stated that they don’t want to cut any Medicare or any education, and they don’t want to raise taxes," said Speaker Lujan. "So, does that mean we’re going to cut state government in half?”

Another real concern for Speaker Lujan with a Republican Governor is the potential for a gridlock.

He said he hopes the two parties can cooperate throughout the budget process so there isn't a standstill politically.