Budget Crunch Being Felt By New Mexico Jurors

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico jurors and court interpreters are the latest group to feel the pinch of a budget crunch that has all of state government tightening its belt. A fund that pays jurors and interpreters has been struggling for several years and the shortfall is now approaching $1 million. Legislative analysts say the gap could be lessened if the courts slash juror pay rates to $4.25 an hour. State statute calls for minimum wage. The Legislature has authorized the state Supreme Court to adjust the payments to cope with underfunding. Court officials have set the rate for the current fiscal year at $6.25 an hour. That's 50 cents lower than the rate during the past two years. The judiciary plans to ask lawmakers during the next regular session for funding to cover the shortage.