SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - New Mexico lawmakers have agreed to stop public employees from double dipping by returning to work in government jobs with a salary and pension.
The proposal won final approval Thursday as the Legislature neared adjournment. The bill goes to the governor. The restrictions will apply to state and local government employees retiring after July 1.
The Legislature's 30-day session ends at noon Thursday, and lawmakers have no state budget to pay for government operations in the coming year.
House Speaker Ben Lujan said lawmakers were unable to resolve their differences over increasing taxes to balance the budget.
The failure to approve a budget will require lawmakers to return to work later in a special session.
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