Gov. orders agencies to consolidate human resources

In a shake-up of state government, Gov. Susana Martinez has ordered agencies throughout New Mexico’s bureaucracy to eliminate human resources divisions and shift responsibility for personnel matters to a single office.

Martinez had telegraphed the move for months because of a budget crisis that has prompted cuts across New Mexico government. Her order follows through on a recommendation floated many times during the last several decades as a means of streamlining state bureaucracy and cutting costs.

But Martinez’s executive decision also puts the jobs of hundreds of government employees in peril at a time when New Mexico’s unemployment rate is among the nation’s highest.

A spokesman for the State Personnel Office said it is still assessing how many employees will be affected but added that the move is expected to save millions of dollars each year. The governor’s order is for the personnel office to take on human resources services for agencies throughout the executive branch of government.

Read more: http://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/legislature/gov-orders-agencies-to-consolidate-human-resources/article_9aac538e-5663-5bf1-bc31-f249160ac056.html