Governor Martinez came into office facing the largest budget deficit in state history of $450 million. Through common-sense reforms, cutting waste, and prioritizing spending, she turned that deficit into a record-breaking surplus. When Martinez left office at the end of 2018, she left behind a projected $2 billion budget surplus, all while keeping her promise to never raise taxes.
In 2018 and in recognition of her fiscal conservatism, Governor Martinez received the highest grade on fiscal responsibility from the Cato Institute on their state fiscal report card on governors.
