The Second Session of the 56th New Mexico Legislature starts today at Noon. 112 elected state lawmakers will convene in the state capitol in Santa Fe, fondly referred to as the Roundhouse.
Jason Espinoza reports from the Roundhouse:
Runs 1:30 Q: std
((Script)):
This is Jason Espinoza with today’s capitol report.
State Legislators from communities around New Mexico gather today at Noon to kick off the 2024 Legislative Session. This year’s session is 30 days and the type of legislation that may be considered is restricted by the constitution.
The 2024 Legislature shall consider only the following: budget, appropriation, and revenue bills; bills previously vetoed by the Governor, and bills pursuant to special messages from the Governor.
At the top of the list of items to tackle this session is the State budget. Both the Legislative Finance Committee and the Executive Branch released their budget recommendations earlier this year.
The Governor’s Fiscal Year 25 Budget Recommendation totals $10.5 billion in recurring spending, a 9.9 percent increase from the last fiscal year. The executive recommendation also maintains reserves at 34.2 percent.
According to the Governor’s Office, the budget directs investments to key areas including housing, education, child wellbeing, public safety, health care, economic development, and water and natural resources.
This includes a $500 million capital appropriation from severance tax bonds for a Strategic Water Supply, a $250 million general fund transfer to the Land of Enchantment Conservation Fund, and includes a 3 percent compensation increase for state employees.
For the New Mexico New Network, I’m Jason Espinoza
