For Immediate Release
Contact:
Chris Nordstrum
(415) 601-1992
New Mexico Senate Floor Wrap for March 12, 2023
Today, the New Mexico Senate convened for two floor sessions to consider a historic state budget for Fiscal Year 2024. On a vote of 25-16, the Senate passed the General Appropriations Act of 2023. House Bill 2 is the largest budget in state history and reflects an overall 14% increase from last year. Totaling $9.57 billion, House Bill 2 as revised by the Senate supercharges early childhood education and care initiatives, provides essential support for New Mexico’s small businesses, diversifies economic opportunity statewide, and maintains robust reserves to ensure the long-term stability of New Mexico’s finances.
“The word ‘historic’ may be a bit overused when talking about legislation, but in this case I think it’s more than appropriate,” said Senate Finance Chair George Muñoz (D-Gallup). “Our budget this year takes care of New Mexico’s most urgent and greatest needs of today while putting us on a very strong footing to prepare for the future. There are no losers in the budget we’ve passed. The state will benefit from the decisions we’ve made today for generations to come. This is a budget all New Mexicans should be proud of.”
With Senate amendments, House Bill 2 now includes:
Education
- An 8% increase to last year’s public school budget, totaling about $302 million in additional dollars.
- An overall 6% increase in salary for public school and higher education employees, which includes an additional 1% added on from the original 5% proposed to cover costs related to inflation and health care premiums.
Higher Education
- An 18% increase of $187 million for higher education funding
- Higher Education employees will also receive a 5% increase in salary, plus an additional 1% for inflation and health care premiums.
- Fully funds the Opportunity Scholarship at $146 million for FY24.
Early Childhood
- Appropriations to the Early Childhood and Education Care Department are increased by nearly 70% over FY23, totaling $135 million in additional funds.
- $3 million in state funding for school based health centers, with an additional $1.5 million in recurring funding.
- Increased distributions from the Early Childhood Care and Education Fund by an additional $25 million for a total of $150 million (contingent on passing of authorizing legislation)
Child and Family Wellbeing
- A 6% increase in funding to the Children, Youth and Families Department
- $25 million from New Mexico’s Opioid Settlement Fund to organize childcare service expansion throughout the state
- Substantial funding to fill hundreds of existing and new social worker positions
Health and Community Safety
- A 21% increase in general fund appropriation to Medicaid, totaling $246 million.
- In addition to the Medicaid provider rate increases originally included in House Bill 2, the Senate Finance Committee included an additional $13.4 million in funding to offset the cost of premium taxes and managed care overhead associated with such increases.
- SFC amendments also provide for Medicaid rate increases for critical care access hospitals and rural health clinics, totaling $1.5 million.
- A total of $330 million via state and federal matching funds for provider rate increases to establish rate parity between physicians and other practitioners, infant and maternal health, and behavioral health services to rates equal to at least 120% of Medicare rates.
- Through amendments by the Senate Finance Committee, $10 million is dedicated to felony warrant enforcement efforts
Economic Development and Tourism
- Amendments from the Senate Finance Committee provide nearly $2 million in additional recurring budget (an 11.3% increase over FY23) for the Economic Development Department, as well as an additional $4.2 million (20.1% increase) to the Tourism Department’s recurring budget.
- SFC amendments greenlight a series of one-time appropriations to the Tourism Department, totaling $21.7 million and including a national marketing campaign and local tourism development initiatives.
Environment & Climate
- Through amendments offered by the Senate Finance Committee, a total of $489.5 million in recurring and nonrecurring appropriations to the Environment Department, Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department, the Office of the State Engineer, and critical partner agencies.
- As amended by the Senate Finance Committee, both the Environment Department and Office of the State Engineer will receive funding well above the executive recommendation to safeguard New Mexico’s waterways, natural resources, and ensure healthy ecosystems.
Additionally, House Bill 2 as amended by the Senate includes a number of special appropriations, including:
- $230 million to be used for state and local road needs
- $100 million for law enforcement and community safety initiatives
- $50 million to address the infrastructure needs of airports statewide
- $40 million to support recreation centers
- $50 million to leverage federal funding which will diversify New Mexico’s energy portfolio
- $36 million to jumpstart the New Mexico Paid Family Medical Leave Fund
- $20 million to revitalize buildings of higher education
“The Senate Finance Committee has finished our work on a state budget of historic proportions, now it’s time for New Mexicans to buckle up for New Mexico’s road to prosperity,” said Senate Finance Committee Chair George Muñoz (D-Gallup).
The General Appropriations Act of 2023 now goes to the House Floor for concurrence.
Regent Confirmations
By unanimous votes, the Senate confirmed the following nominees:
- Paula Tackett, University of New Mexico Board of Regents (for a term ending December 31, 2028)
- William Phelps Anderson, New Mexico Military Institute Board of Regents (for a term ending December 31, 2028)
- Logan Michael O’Brien, Eastern New Mexico University Board of Regents (for a term ending December 31, 2024)
- Cody Dennis Rivera, New Mexico Highlands University Board of Regents (for a term ending December 31, 2024)
- Dalva Lon Mollenberg, Western New Mexico University Board of Regents (for a term ending December 31, 2028)
- Rebecca L. Anderson, New Mexico School for the Deaf Board of Regents (for a term ending December 31, 2028)
“Every time we have an opportunity to hear confirmations in the Senate I leave feeling immensely proud to be a New Mexican, and grateful for the opportunity to support these leaders on their pathways to public service. I congratulate all of the new Regents on their confirmations,” said Senate Pro Tempore Mimi Stewart (D-Albuquerque).
In addition to the budget and confirmations, the Senate passed House Bill 130, revising requirements for extended learning time in New Mexico, on a bipartisan vote of 34-6. House Bill 130 repeals currently existing K-5 Plus Extended Learning Programs and replaces them with a revitalized K-12 Plus framework which requires all regular school calendars be a minimum of 1,140 hours.
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