Associated Press - November 9, 2009 6:45 PM ET
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - Gov. Bill Richardson has signed the first bill in a package of deficit-reduction measures approved during the special legislative session.
The legislation sweeps up money from various state funds and accounts to help fill a gap in this year's state budget.
The biggest chunk of money, some $68 million, comes out of a college scholarship fund.
Richardson vetoed about $6.5 million that lawmakers wanted to pick up, including funding for domestic violence and pre-kindergarten programs.
The governor said his vetoes left nearly $110 million available to be swept up from state accounts.
Thursday is his deadline to act on a package of spending cuts and fund transfers aimed at providing $525 million to shore up the budget.
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