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The Line: Proposed Reforms To Capital Outlay Process

October 9, 2015 – Think New Mexico, a Santa Fe-based think tank, proposed major reforms to the state’s capital outlay process this week.

Think New Mexico recommends that the legislature and governor enact legislation to create an independent Capital Outlay Planning Board. The board would include experts appointed by both the legislative and executive branches. It would combine all the infrastructure plans created by state agencies and local governments into a single comprehensive plan. Projects in the plan would be prioritized using objective criteria, and then the top priorities would go to the legislature annually for funding. Based on Oklahoma’s system, we recommend that both the legislature and governor have the power to remove projects from the list – but not to add any new ones.

Read the full proposal

Would you like to see the capital outlay process change in New Mexico? Host Gene Grant leads a discussion on the proposal this week with the Line opinion panelists.

LINE PANELISTS:
Merritt Allen, Vox Optima, LLC
Rob Nikolewski, Watchdog.org
Laura E. Sanchez-Rivét, Sanchez Legal Solutions
Harry Van Buren, professor at the UNM Anderson School of Management

Previous Capital Outlay Coverage: 

The Line: Vetoes In 2015 Capital Outlay Bill

The Line: Special Session Wraps Up

New Mexico in Depth – Capital Outlay Bill Covers All New Mexico Bases

New Mexico in Depth – Capital Outlay Projects Often Controversial