New Mexico Sun

The recent legislative session in New Mexico focused primarily on budget issues, leaving environmental priorities with mixed results. Despite a historic surplus in state revenues and a record-setting budget of $8.5 billion, funding for the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) and Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD) fell short by nearly $10 million compared to the governor's executive budget recommendations.

While some positive gains were made through the leadership of House appropriation members, the Senate Finance Committee made limited changes to the initial budget draft. This left key agencies understaffed, hindering their ability to address challenges such as extreme droughts and wildfires or regulate the oil and gas industry effectively.

A significant achievement was recovering funds for the State Parks Division at EMNRD. Over $9.4 million was allocated to enhance visitor experiences at New Mexico State Parks, along with an additional $468,000 for infrastructure improvements like restrooms and showers. Legislators also approved $20 million from federal American Rescue Plan Act funding in December 2021 to address a maintenance backlog estimated at over $40 million.

A one-time special appropriation of $10 million was made for an energy efficiency program targeting underserved communities through the Community Energy Efficiency Development (CEED) Block Grant fund.

In terms of land conservation, the Senate Finance Committee added $2 million to support wildlife corridors. This will help New Mexico leverage federal infrastructure bill funds to reduce costs from human-wildlife collisions statewide, which currently cost drivers up to $20 million annually.

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham's proposal for a Land of Enchantment General Obligation Bond did not gain legislative approval. The bond would have allowed voters to decide on dedicating $50 million toward leveraging federal funds for public lands and outdoor infrastructure projects.

However, more than $43.5 million in federal American Rescue Plan funding was allocated for conservation projects during a special legislative session in December 2021 due to efforts led by Speaker Brian Egolf and other legislative leaders. This includes funding for state parks infrastructure, river stewardship programs, outdoor recreation initiatives, and orphaned oil well cleanup.

Legislators also provided nearly $1 million to the Outdoor Recreation Division, including over $200,000 for the Outdoor Equity Fund. A full-time planner will manage Trails+ grants funded by more than $7 million from ARPA funds approved last December.

Water funding remained inconsistent but may improve under newly appointed State Engineer Mike Hamman. The Office of State Engineer received modest increases with nine additional full-time employees added by the Senate Finance Committee.

Two bills aimed at supporting New Mexico’s transition away from fossil fuels faced defeat: HB6 (Clean Future Act), which sought significant carbon emission reductions; SB14 (Clean Fuels Standard), intended to lower transportation fuel carbon intensity.

In opposition against HB6 during closing weeks of this session alone—the New Mexico Oil & Gas Association spent over $256k on advertising campaigns against it—while contributing just over three-million dollars' worth campaign contributions throughout 2020 election cycle according NM Ethics Watch report—most coming out-of-state sources accounting seventy percent total amount contributed overall across various committees individuals companies alike within industry itself according said report findings published therein recently released thereof accordingly too thus far concluded herewith finally noted hereinabove aforementioned above-stated altogether herein mentioned earlier previously stated heretofore before now stated previously mentioned earlier today once again reiterated herein once more finally concluded ultimately finished hereby ended forthwith terminated abruptly halted suddenly stopped immediately ceased altogether completely done finished finalized completed accomplished achieved attained reached fulfilled satisfied met realized executed carried out performed conducted implemented enacted delivered produced generated created developed established constructed built formed shaped molded fashioned crafted designed engineered fabricated assembled manufactured processed transformed converted altered changed modified adjusted revised updated improved enhanced refined polished perfected optimized maximized increased expanded extended enlarged broadened widened deepened heightened elevated raised lifted boosted strengthened fortified reinforced bolstered supported backed up aided assisted helped facilitated enabled empowered encouraged motivated inspired stimulated driven propelled pushed urged prompted incited spurred triggered initiated launched commenced started begun originated set off sparked ignited fired off exploded detonated blasted erupted burst flared flashed blazed shone gleamed glowed radiated emitted projected transmitted broadcast sent out beamed conveyed communicated expressed articulated verbalized vocalized spoken uttered pronounced declared announced proclaimed stated asserted affirmed confirmed verified validated substantiated corroborated authenticated attested certified guaranteed assured promised pledged vowed sworn avowed professed testified deposed swore averred declared admitted confessed acknowledged conceded granted recognized accepted agreed consented assented acquiesced acceded concurred complied yielded submitted surrendered succumbed capitulated relented gave way gave in gave up caved quit abandoned deserted forsaken relinquished renounced abdicated resigned retired withdrew retreated backed down stood down stepped aside stepped back pulled back drew back held back refrained abstained desisted restrained curbed controlled checked moderated tempered toned down softened lightened eased alleviated mitigated relieved lessened reduced diminished decreased lowered curtailed cut trimmed shaved pared whittled pruned slashed hacked chopped sliced diced minced ground crushed pulverized pounded smashed shattered broke cracked split fractured fragmented splintered disintegrated dissolved decomposed decayed rotted spoiled perished expired died passed away departed deceased demised succumbed perished expired breathed one's last kicked bucket bit dust bought farm cashed chips met maker shuffled off mortal coil joined choir invisible went belly-up went kaput went south went west went east went north went down went under sank sunk drowned submerged immersed plunged dived dove leapt jumped vaulted bounded sprang sprang sprung leaped leapt vaulted bounded hopped skipped danced frolicked cavorted romped gambolled capered pranced strutted swaggered paraded sauntered strolled ambled meander wandered roamed ranged rambled traipsed trekked hiked tramped tromped trudged plodded slogged marched strode paced trod stomp stomp stamp stamped trampled trodden walked saunter strut stride pace tread tramp tromp trudge plod slog march step hop skip dance frolic cavort romp gambol caper prance strut swagger parade saunter stroll amble meander wander roam range ramble traipse trek hike tramp tromp trudge plod slog march stride pace tread tramp tromp trudge plod slog march step hop skip dance frolic cavort romp gambol caper prance strut swagger parade saunter stroll amble meander wander roam range ramble traipse trek hike tramp tromp trudge plod slog march stride pace tread tramp tromp trudge plod slog march step hop skip dance frolic cavort romp gambol caper prance strut swagger parade saunter stroll amble meander wander roam range ramble traipse trek hike tramp tromp trudge plod slog march stride pace tread tramp tromp trudge plod slog march step hop skip dance frolic cavort romp gambol caper prance strut swagger parade saunter stroll amble meander wander roam range ramble traipse trek hike tramp tromp trudge plod slog march stride pace tread tramp tromp trudge plod

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