Rep. says early payouts must end

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - Since 2006, taxpayers have paid university coaches and presidents who have resigned under pressure more than $3 million because it was part of their contracts. One state lawmakers says it's time to end the practice.

The latest case involves New Mexico State University President Barbara Coutoure , who will receive a $453,000 payout to leave before her contract is up in 2014. Coutoure will also receive the remaining $100,000 of her salary this year, even though she won't be on the job.

Former UNM football coach Mike Locksley got a similar deal last year, pocketing $750,000 after resigning. Locksley's predecessor Rocky Long left UNM with nearly $1 million after disagreements with the athletic director.

The Lobos also fired head basketball coach Ritchie McKay in 2007 and paid him almost $600,000. In 2006, former UNM President Louis Caldera quit and took $320,000 with him.

UNM Regent Jamie Koch said pricy buyouts are necessary to attract qualified coaches and presidents.

"You would not be able to hire one without a contract and without a buyout," said Koch. "It's just the matter of the fact that to hire those individuals, you hope that you made the right decision and if you didn't and you had to let them go because it was detrimental to your program or to the university, you have to buy out that contract."

But Rep. Bill Rehm, R-Albuquerque, said if it doesn't work out, taxpayers shouldn't be on the hook for paying public employees who skip out before their contracts expire.

"These people are not providing any service to the university while they are being paid to work somewhere else," said Rehm.

Rehm also said universities should write performance measures into contracts, so colleges can get rid of employees who don't meet expectations. He said the big salaries universities offer should be incentive enough to attract the best and brightest.

"You should be able to find someone to come work for you with qualifications you want," said Rehm.

Rehm's proposal would deny payouts of public money to all public employees who are fired or quit before their contracts are up.

He has tried to pass his bill since 2009 but said it's failed because the universities lobbied hard against it. Rehm will reintroduce the measure in January.