Martinez confirms NMWCF not likely to close

    GRANTS - The Beacon spoke to House Majority Leader Ken Martinez on Monday. Martinez identified the recent Legislative Special Session as the hardest ever.

    “From the 25-year veteran to the newcomer of two or three years, it was the most difficult,” Martinez said.

    Tension was high, according to Martinez, because of the much publicized $650 million shortfall in revenue. “The challenge was to identify the items,” said Martinez. “Whether the shortfall items were one time or long term because of a shrinking government. The other tension was the fact that nobody wants to take a cut.”

    Martinez noted that he recently had a meeting with Governor Bill Richardson and told the Beacon that he feels the CCA women's correctional facility in Grants is “safe.”

    “I expect Richardson to line item veto items on the bill,” said Martinez. “He won't veto the whole bill.” Richardson's deadline to sign the bill is Thursday, Nov. 12.

Martinez also noted that the short legislative session in January will also be hard, “But hopefully we've done our homework and we know better what to expect.

    “The shortfall is worldwide,” Martinez said. “We are in good shape compared some neighboring states. 

   We've done the best we could and I worked to minimize the impact on Cibola County.”