Budget battle may soon affect NM

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - The festering automatic budget cuts are expected to hit New Mexico pretty hard if congress does not work it out.

Friday's deadline is nearing.
    
Among a long list of potential cuts affecting New Mexico, a $6.1 million decrease in education funding.
    
That would mean a loss of about 80 teaching jobs.
    
Head start programs for about 500 students would also take a hit.

“It's really on the back of the federal government and state government to say we believe in the kids in this state and we're going to make it possible for teachers to do their jobs,” President of the Albuquerque Teachers Federation, Ellen Bernstein, said.
    
Less work study jobs and less financial aid at state colleges are also expected.
    
Also, more than 7,000 civilian employees for the department of defense would be furloughed.
    
It is the reason why Kirtland Airforce Base is on a hiring freeze right now.
    
The cuts would also drop funding for job search programs.