March 7 - State Auditor Tim Keller Issues Best Practices For Use Of Millions In Unspent Funds

Last month the office of the state auditor issued a report claiming the state had 4.4 billion dollars in unspent funds. Originally earmarked for infrastructure projects these dollars have been languishing in state coffers, in some cases for up to a decade. Spending even ten percent of those funds says State Auditor Tim Keller, could create thousands of jobs and boost the economy at a time when the state is grappling with plummeting revenues due to falling oil prices. This month Keller suggested more ways for Capitol Outlay projects to avoid what he calls “being mired in red tape.” “With our state desperately in need of jobs, activating just a small fraction of these dollars could mean thousands of new jobs, roads, schools and water systems for New Mexico.” We asked Auditor Keller to tell us more.