Richardson proposes increased funding for state crime lab
New Mexico Business Weekly
December 5, 2006
Gov. Bill Richardson is hoping to reduce a backlog of crime cases at the state's crime lab by proposing a $751,000 funding increase for the state to hire eight new lab technicians and increase scientists' salaries by 10 percent.
Richardson is expected to ask the state's Board of Finance for a $500,000 emergency loan to the New Mexico Department of Public Safety for a temporary, portable crime lab that will be used to alleviate the workload of the existing crime lab and help free up more space for in-depth, analytical work.
The 10 percent pay increase for scientists amounts to $215,000 and is included in the Governor's funding request.
Richardson has said that the state needs a new crime lab, but that it will cost as much as $35 million. He says the state is intent on working with the Legislature to fund it, but he believes his proposal is a short-term solution that will address the backlog of cases that currently exists.