“We Must Remain Ready and Responsive”: State Lawmakers Brace for Federal Funding Cuts
As federal government threatens cuts to critical services, New Mexico remains in a strong financial position and lawmakers prepare to address gaps
Santa Fe, N.M. – Today, while officials in Washington, D.C. continue to debate a massive federal spending bill that would cut healthcare, nutrition, and education programs for working families to fund significant tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans, a bipartisan group of state legislators from the New Mexico House and Senate convened for the first official meeting of the Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee.
Together with the Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) and other interim committees, this new subcommittee will identify the current federal funding streams for critical programs and projects, and develop plans to minimize the potential disruption and harm caused by proposed cuts.
“While Republicans in Washington D.C. try to slash funding for programs your family relies on, in order to line the pockets of their ultra wealthy friends and donors, New Mexico House Democrats are continuing to fight for you,” said Speaker of the House Javier Martínez (D-Albuquerque), who called for creation of the new subcommittee during a recent meeting of Legislative Council. “As we brace for the potential impacts of federal funding cuts, we must remain ready and responsive, so families across New Mexico can continue to keep food on their tables, access healthcare, and give their children the education they deserve.”
“The Legislative Finance Committee has a clear focus over the coming weeks and months: facing the challenge of weaker revenues because of tariffs, federal dysfunction, and threatened cuts to essential services, while continuing to make sure your tax dollars are well spent and we are investing in opportunity for New Mexicans,” said LFC Chairman Rep. Nathan Small (D-Las Cruces). “Thankfully, our sound budgeting and years of strategic investments have positioned us well to respond to this moment and navigate these unprecedented times together.”
In recent years, the New Mexico state legislature has taken steps to expand state-level access to critical programs like Medicaid, increased eligibility for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and directed education funding to areas where it’s needed most. Over the past two years, the state also allocated an additional $20 million to expand eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to elderly and working class individuals. Even with these safeguards in place, New Mexicans would likely feel the impacts of some of these proposed deep cuts to federal funding.
“Our subcommittee is assessing current funding streams, anticipating the impact of potential federal cuts, and working with other interim committees to develop plans to help proactively protect critical services throughout New Mexico,” said Representative Patricia Lundstrom (D-Gallup), Co-Chair of the Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee.
The Legislative Finance Committee and the Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee will continue to meet throughout the interim, with meeting schedules and agendas to be posted on the New Mexico Legislature’s website.
###
