Senator Pat Woods expressed concerns regarding the Legislative Finance Committee's (LFC) Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) budget recommendation, highlighting the need for measurable goals, targeted expenditures, and increased accountability for taxpayer dollars. These remarks were made in a press release on January 15.
"Simply throwing money at the problems has not generated positive outcomes," said Woods. "We need defined goals that can be measured to see if we improve government services. We must demand that these expenditures are targeted in achieving their purpose and that there is a true return on the public's investment."
According to the New Mexico budget report, the LFC's FY26 budget recommendation proposes $10.8 billion in spending, marking a 5.7% increase from FY25. The plan allocates $3 billion for one-time projects, including $350 million for transportation, $222 million for water projects, and $50 million for regional recreation centers. General fund reserves are expected to remain at 33% of planned spending.
The budget also designates $4.69 billion to public education, representing a 6% increase from FY25. This includes funds specifically aimed at supporting schools serving lower-income students and a public education reform fund. Healthcare investments feature recurring funds for Medicaid and an overall rise in the Health Care Authority’s total budget due to new hospital surcharge funding and federal matching.
Despite these increases in education funding, New Mexico continues to face significant challenges in educational outcomes. In 2020, the Annie E. Casey Foundation ranked the state last in education for the fourth consecutive year. Issues such as educator shortages and disparities in resources persist.
According to VoteSmart, Senator John "Pat" Patrick Woods has represented District 7 in the New Mexico State Senate since 2012. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from New Mexico State University and serves on several key committees related to economic development and natural resources.
