Like most States, New Mexico's legislature grants not only basic foundation money for public schools but also a small percentage of additional discretionary funds. While the foundation money is almost always dispersed in light of a rigid formula, the discretionary funds present the opportunity for political bargaining. While hardly of as obvious importance as the foundation grants, these additional funds offer incentives for district superintendents to form coalitions with their local legislators to influence the fund distribution. This study examined the influence of interpersonal manipulative tendencies of political actors (legislators and superintendents) and/or longevity in the role on the distribution of certain additional State funds. (Author/JF)