Gov. Lujan Grisham unveils $7.7 billion spending plan (NM - Spend and Tax Radical Dem)

The Albuquerque Journal ^ | January 6, 2020 at 12:01 p.m. | Dan Boyd

[CedarDave]

SANTA FE — New Mexico state spending would rise significantly for the second consecutive year under a budget proposal unveiled by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Monday that would boost state spending by $596.3 million — or roughly 8.4% — over current levels.

The nearly $7.7 billion spending plan includes a proposed 4% salary increase for New Mexico teachers and more money for school districts with a large number of “at risk” students, as the state continues to grapple with the fallout of a landmark legal ruling about its public education system.

It would also provide additional dollars to hire 60 additional State Police officers, create a New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship that would benefit an estimated 55,000 college students and expand funding for child-care assistance and pre-Kindergarten programs statewide.

“We recognize great opportunity necessitates both aggressive strategic action and fiscal responsibility,” she added.

New Mexico’s recent spending growth comes after several cash-lean years and is being fueled in large part by record-breaking oil production in the state’s southeast corner.

In addition, some of the state’s budgetary windfall would be spent on one-time expenditures, including $320 million to set up a new early childhood endowment fund.

[lastchance]

Thanks for the explanation.

[Lean-Right]

“to hire 60 additional State Police officers,”

No doubt hired to help fortify enforcement of her newly
enacted gun laws.