SANTA FE, N.M. (Legal Newsline)-Citing skyrocketing gas prices, New Mexico Attorney General Gary King said Tuesday the mileage reimbursement rate for state employees should be increased.
The Democratic attorney general is recommending legislation be introduced to increase the statutory reimbursement rate from its current 32 cents per mile rate.
In a letter to Democratic Gov. Bill Richardson and Secretary of Finance and Administration Katherine Miller, the attorney general said the current mileage rate, which has been in effect since 2003, is insufficient.
"This rate is supposed to reimburse government employees for both the cost of fuel and the cost of wear and tear on their vehicles," King wrote. "However, in light of increasing fuel expenses, the current rate is inadequate to reimburse government employees.
King noted that the U.S. government recently augmented the federal mileage reimbursement rate to 50.5 cents per mile beginning March 19, 2008.
The attorney general did not specify what he thought the mileage reimbursement rate ought to be.
From Legal Newsline: Reach reporter Chris Rizo at chrisrizo@legalnewsline.com.
