State workers protest proposed cuts

SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) – Angry and passionate protestors took to the roundhouse Saturday, calling for lawmakers to protect the salaries of educators and state workers.

The protest was organized by AFSCME, the union which represents many state employees.

It started on the steps leading into the roundhouse and continued as hundreds marched around the capitol building.

Recently, a proposal was introduced that would cut the salaries of state workers and educators by two percent.

On Saturday, a couple of lawmakers spoke out against the proposed cuts. They said the state needs to roll back tax cuts for wealthy residents and make big out-of-state corporations pay more taxes.

That message was also echoed by the demonstrators.

"They need to do things like charge Wal-Mart for their damn taxes, not us," state worker Linda Komula said.

Some lawmakers said they know the cuts will affect thousands of families, but they are needed.

Sen. Sue Wilson-Beffort, R-Sandia Park, said the state is in pain right now and lawmakers are trying their best to not hurt one group of residents more than any others.

"We have done our best not to have any layoffs with our government employees," Wilson-Beffort said.

After the protest, union members walked through the capitol and signed their names on sheets outside their representatives' doors to let them know they were there on Saturday.

The two percent cut is only a portion of the budget proposal in question. $200 million in tax increases or further spending cuts would be required.