The New Mexico Senate passed the record $10.8 billion budget proposed by the House of Representatives Wednesday, but only after by the Senate Finance Committee, which means it鈥檚 heading back to the House for approval.
The Senate passed along party lines, with only (D-Bernalillo) breaking ranks to vote against the bill.
He said he saw plenty of items he supported in next year鈥檚 budget, but also what he called 鈥渟ome problematic things.鈥�
鈥淩eally the discussion turned to a lot of 鈥業鈥� instead of 鈥榳e and the people,鈥� and I just believe we can do better,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e know what鈥檚 at stake nationally, so we gotta continue to work.鈥�
Republicans levied several complaints, but mainly focused on the fact that the budget is getting bigger. Sen. (R- Chaves) said the budget needed to be reduced in order to protect the overall health of the state.
鈥淲hen I see a bloated cow, I know what to do. I have to take a sharp instrument and go right into her belly to let some of that hot air escape,鈥� she said. 鈥淢aybe that鈥檚 what we need to do to our budget, because our budget is bloated 鈥� we are doing nothing but growing government.鈥�
Sen. (D-Cibola), chair of the Senate Finance Committee, replied by pointing to several billion dollars worth of tax rebates that have been given out in recent years, and the numerous projects that were funded, including infrastructure updates, senior meal programs, free college and universal pre-school.
鈥淲e鈥檝e done things for New Mexicans like no other states have done,鈥� he said. 鈥淲hen we say we鈥檙e just taxing and spending on this side of the aisle, It鈥檚 simply not true.鈥�
The record budget includes a 4% raise for all state employees, and expands the state's employee health insurance benefits, with the state now covering 80% of premiums, and 100% for low-income employees and National Guard members.
The Senate Finance Committee鈥檚 amendment includes several new investments, like $76 million more to support career technical education, enhance student support, and invest in initiatives to boost graduation rates in secondary school.
The committee also added $35 million for the Rural Health Care Delivery Fund, and nearly $62 million to fund the behavioral health package in .
When it comes to public safety, the amendment added funding for a statewide case management system for district attorneys, recruitment and retention efforts for public defenders, and additional resources for the Attorney General鈥檚 office for training and legal expenses
They also increased investments in childcare assistance, pre-kindergarten, early childhood Medicaid. The amendment also adds nearly $30 million dollars over the next two years to the Children Youth and Family Department to help meet the requirements of the Kevin S settlement.
The concurrence process requires any changes added in another chamber be approved by the originating chamber, so HB2 will need to pass another House floor vote before the governor will get a chance to sign it into law.
Support for this coverage comes from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.
