Larry Behrens, Communications Director for the energy advocacy group Power The Future, is calling out what he sees as wasteful government spending in New Mexico. 

Behrens’ criticism comes as the administration of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham continues to prioritize climate goals while residents and lawmakers question whether the state’s fiscal priorities align with the needs of everyday New Mexicans.

In a recent post on social media platform X, Behrens highlighted what he views as a disconnect between New Mexico's increasing budget revenue, driven largely by the state’s oil and gas industry, and how that money is being spent. 

"New Mexico's budget revenue has increased nearly 75% in just the last five years thanks to oil and gas. Yet, those in charge in Santa Fe use that money for handouts to the green agenda," Behrens said on X. 

"Families don't see the revenue, just Santa Fe politicians on expensive junkets."

One of the primary targets of Behrens’ criticism is the state’s investment in electric vehicles for state employees. 

In 2019, the General Services Department (GSD) entered into a statewide agreement to purchase electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles for the state motor pool. 

According to a GSD press release, the state spent $3.5 million to purchase vehicles like the Nissan Leaf, Chevrolet Bolt and Ford Fusion, with the aim of reducing the state's greenhouse gas emissions. 

However, Behrens argues that the program has been ineffective. 

“One glaring example is in 2019 the Michelle Lujan Grisham administration decided to spend $3.5 million on electric vehicles for state employees,” Behrens told the New Mexico Sun. “Years later, we learn these vehicles are being driven less than one percent of the time for state business.”

Behrens also pointed to ongoing budget requests from the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) as another example of inefficiency. 

In December 2023, NMED Secretary James Kenney requested an additional $9 million to support his department, marking the fifth consecutive year of budget increases, KUNM-FM reported.

Despite increasing funding, state lawmakers raised concerns about unspent funds from previous years. 

Kenney himself has been vocal concerning requests for more funding, citing the growing workload of his department and the impact of unfunded mandates. 

“Additionally, the New Mexico Environment Department is asking for yet another budget increase for the 5th straight year,” Behrens said. “Secretary Kenney is among the highest paid, if not the highest, cabinet secretaries and yet he still demands that the legislature ‘show me the money.’” 

In a post on X, Kenney linked to the famous "show me the money" line from the 1996 film Jerry Maguire. 

“@NMEnvDep employees can’t sustain current workloads with our existing budget. Adding unfunded mandates from the @NMLegislature will break #NMED. If the #nmleg is serious about #Climate, #Methane, #OSHA, #PFAS, #EnvironmentalJustice... then fully fund #NMED,” Kenney said on X.

Further fueling the debate is the state’s recent push to increase EV adoption through financial incentives. 

“Governor Lujan Grisham is giving thousands in tax credits for the purchase of electric vehicles but only 0.8 percent of New Mexicans own one,” Behrens said.  

In mid-May, the Santa Fe Reporter noted New Mexico’s new tax credits for clean cars took effect, offering up to $3,000 for the purchase or lease of electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids and fuel cell vehicles. 

However, as Behrens pointed out only 0.8% of vehicles in New Mexico are currently electric, according to data from the Taxation and Revenue Department. 

Despite the low adoption rate, Lujan Grisham has pushed for legislation mandating that 43% of new cars sold in the state by 2027 meet clean car standards, a goal that Behrens and other critics fear could drive up prices, especially for rural New Mexicans.

Behrens’ comments underscore a growing frustration with what he sees as Lujan Grisham’s administration misplaced priorities, particularly as New Mexico’s energy industry continues to provide substantial funding for state coffers. 

“New Mexico is the richest, poor state in the nation because leaders in Santa Fe hoard the wealth,” Behrens said. “New Mexico’s families deserve to share in the wealth created by the state’s oil and natural gas industry. While state coffers in Santa Fe are bursting with funds, families are still struggling to make ends meet in the failing economy created by Joe Biden and supported by Michelle Lujan Grisham. Similar to Alaska, New Mexicans should receive yearly payments derived from energy revenues because they know how to spend money better than Santa Fe politicians.” 

Behrens wrote about the disparity in a recent op-ed published by the Albuquerque Journal. 

In the opinion piece, he noted New Mexico is projected to receive nearly $660 million in additional revenue this year, largely due to the success of its oil and natural gas industry, which contributed nearly $14 billion in 2023. 

Behrens argued that everyday New Mexicans aren’t benefiting from this wealth, as politicians continue to spend it on bureaucratic projects like education and electric vehicles. 

Behrens advocated for a new approach, suggesting that New Mexico adopt Alaska’s model of paying residents a dividend from energy royalties, ensuring that the people who generate the state’s wealth receive a direct share. 

“Alaska’s model of paying its residents a dividend from energy royalties is a proven success and one that is worth considering,” Behrens wrote. “By adopting a similar system, New Mexico could ensure that its residents — not just its politicians — benefit from the state’s natural wealth.” 

He believes that families, not politicians, are best equipped to decide how to spend their share of the state's natural resources. 

“The logic is simple: your family knows how to spend your money better than any government could. Whether it’s paying for groceries, health care, education, or saving for a rainy day, New Mexicans deserve a direct share of the wealth they help create,” Behrens wrote. 

Behrens also called out the Lujan Grisham administration for wasting funds on extravagances. 

“The wasting of taxpayer funds by the Lujan Grisham Administration has drawn concern from the Democratic State Auditor because taxpayers funds are being lavishly spent on foreign junkets,” Behrens said. 

In June the New Mexico Office of the State Auditor (OSA) raised concerns over alleged misuse of taxpayer funds by NMED regarding a trip to the Asia Pacific Hydrogen Summit in Sydney, Australia. 

The OSA noted that NMED upgraded airline seating for its officials from economy to business class, resulting in an over 600% cost increase—nearly $30,000 for two seats. 

This decision was made despite less expensive economy tickets being available, and the OSA criticized NMED for failing to consider significant cost disparities. 

In response, NMED defended the upgrades, arguing they were necessary for productivity during extended international travel, but acknowledged the need for stronger internal controls and a revised travel policy.

“Additionally, Governor Lujan Grisham, her staff and members of her administration traveled internationally for several years in a row to locations such as Scotland, Dubai and Egypt to attend the annual UN Climate Conference,” Behrens said. “These lavish junkets took place while New Mexico’s families struggled to pay for rent, gasoline and many other needs. The extravagant travel spending should have never taken place and New Mexico taxpayers deserve a refund from anyone who traveled on their dime.”