Hello team ~
[posted December 7, 2009] Due to continued pressure from our union and other leaders the governor informed us late Friday afternoon there would be a change in the proposed furlough schedule: the December 31st furlough day will be postponed until March 5, 2010.

This isn't what we requested but every improvement helps 19,000 state workers and their families as well as millions of New Mexicans. The new tentative furlough schedule is listed below:

December 24th
January 15th
March 5th
April 2nd
May 28th

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LOSS OF WCA FAMILY
Due to the budget crisis the WCA was forced to layoff a couple of our close family members: Jim Moran, Special Projects Coordinator, and Priscilla Martinez, Outreach Specialist. Losing work in this challenging time is devastating to a family and I ask you to keep these friends in your thoughts and prayers. I believe they will be able to survive financially but I thought it would be a nice gesture to send flowers or a care package to both. I pledge $15/each to start this fund. I have cards here at my desk if you wish to sign and join me in this effort.

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SHOP LOCAL TO HELP NEW MEXICANS
The NY Times published an article from Gov. Richardson on Dec. 3rd. He is urging New Mexicans to spend $25 at each of two local stores this month, an initiative that could have a $27 million economic impact on the state in December. Gift a massage, hair cut, local dinner or the labor for a home improvement to stimulate the local economy as examples.

Mr. Richardson explains the economics of buying locally, "for every $100 spent locally, $68 stays in that community."

This also illustrates the economic importance of postponing one furlough day. Each furlough day reduces the state budget shortfall by some $2 million. Applying Mr. Richardson's math to the budget cut we see each furlough day also removes approximately $1.4 million from the local economy, as 19,000 state employees have less income to spend.

By postponing this one furlough day we potentially boost our local economies and help the private sector by $1.4 million. This positive stimulus from state workers is not understood by most people. We are ALL in the "same boat" during a tough demand-crisis recession. Cutting state worker pay in turn hurts our local private sector.

Original article:
Gov. Richardson Asks New Mexicans to Shop Locally

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H1N1 Flu
Some time ago we had a robust discussion about H1N1 v. "swine" flu. As all of you are leaders here in New Mexico I wanted to alert you to a request in the LA Times from our nation's hog farmers: PLEASE - Don't call it 'swine flu,' they implore.

Hog farmers, already hurting from the recession, say paranoia about the H1N1 virus has devastated their business. Let's do what we can to help these Americans during this crisis as well.

Original article:
Don't call it 'swine flu,' farmers implore

I know this financial collapse is difficult and frightening for all of you. Yet Americans are a resilient people. By pulling together and caring for each other we strengthen our social and community fabric. Let's use this opportunity to find the best in each other and launch both our state and nation in a new, positive direction for 2010.

Happy Holidays!

In unity ...

Scott Goold