New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham said during her State of the State speech she wants part of the record revenue at the state’s disposal to go toward building a better economy and education system.
“That’s who this work is for,” Lujan Grisham said during her speech. “It’s for the mom in Albuquerque who knows her child can succeed if they can get a little extra attention and a little extra time. It’s for the small business owner in Artesia who sees great things ahead if they can get a little support – a little momentum – to push them forward. It’s for young people like my grandkids and yours.”
Lawmakers have an extra $3.6 billion to utilize. The governor is proposing a $9.4 billion executive budget, which is 12% more than last year. Her recommendations included investing more money into housing, homelessness, health care, education, public safety and economic development.
She also is asking for $1 billion in economic relief, which includes rebates of $750 to individual taxpayers and $1,500 to couples filing jointly. The budget also includes more than $91 million to provide a 4% pay raise to all state employees and money for universal child care and universal free meals for every student, along with extending learning time in kindergarten through 12 classrooms.
“In order to fill new jobs, we have to help our students develop the in-demand skills they need – thank you, an entrepreneur right there – and that means providing a good education at every age,” Lujan Grisham said, adding families can’t thrive if they are worried about their safety.
