STATE News:SANTA FE — Gov. Susana Martinez announced that New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration Cabinet Secretary Tom Clifford will retire effective May 27.
Secretary Clifford has served as DFA cabinet secretary since August 2011 and was unanimously confirmed twice by the New Mexico State Senate in February 2012 and in March 2015. Duffy Rodriguez, Deputy Secretary of DFA, will serve as acting Cabinet Secretary.
“Secretary Clifford is a gifted leader, and I’m grateful for his more than 20 years of dedicated service to the people of New Mexico,” Martinez said. “I am especially proud of his accomplishments at the Department of Finance and Administration. It is difficult to see him leave, but we are proud of all Secretary Clifford has done to help put our state’s fiscal house in order.”
Under Secretary Clifford’s leadership, through keeping government spending to reasonable levels, growing cash reserves, and targeting spending on priorities like creating jobs, reforming education, and improving public safety, New Mexico has overcome the largest structural budget deficit in state history, a federal government shutdown and budget cuts, and the largest oil and gas price crash in decades.
He also began implementing Martinez’s capital outlay reform agenda, to improve the way infrastructure dollars are spent in New Mexico, helping to create more jobs in the short-term and lay a stronger long-term foundation for economic growth by focusing more on well-planned projects that address major regional or statewide infrastructure needs. Under Secretary Clifford, Martinez also signed three substantial tax reform packages.
“Several weeks ago, I informed the Governor of my decision to retire from state government. This was not an easy decision, but it is the right time for my family and me. I am thankful for the opportunity Governor Martinez gave me and I am proud that under her leadership we have been able to accomplish so much,” Clifford said. “We passed three of the most substantial tax reform packages in state history in 2012, 2013, and 2015. Those efforts are helping to expand and diversify the state’s economy. Despite obstacles like federal cuts and the oil and gas downturn, Gov. Martinez always budgeted wisely and kept the state on sound fiscal footing. It has been an honor to serve.”
Secretary Clifford came to state government after 10 years working for the U.S. Government. His career in state government spans more than 20 years, including positions with the Taxation and Revenue Department, Legislative Finance Committee, and Department of Finance and Administration. Clifford holds a PhD in Economics from the University of California at Santa Barbara.
