Stefani Lord, a representative for New Mexico State House District 22, expressed concerns over the allocation of funds in House Bill 450. She said that Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham "snuck $10 million dollars into House Bill 450 for an abortion clinic at the last minute," while her district requires significant funding for infrastructure and services such as "roads, water, law enforcement, fire departments, administration buildings, bridges, sewer lines," among others. Lord made this comment in a post on the social media platform X on March 19.
"At the last minute, Governor MIchelle Lujan Grishamsneaks in $10 million for an abortion clinic while my district needs millions for roads, water, law enforcement, fire departments, administration buildings, bridges, sewer lines, veterans, schools, community centers, parks, gas lines, and a desperately needed $5 million dollars for a well in the city of Estancia," said Lord, State Representative.
House Bill 450 addresses capital expenditures and appropriations from the general fund. It also sets conditions for issuing severance tax bonds and outlines how to allocate proceeds. Among its appropriations are $10 million for a veterans resource center in Albuquerque and $40 million for facilities related to firefighter memorials and training under the Homeland Security and Emergency Management Department. Additionally, the bill includes a $10 million appropriation for a reproductive health care clinic in northern New Mexico; however, abortion is not explicitly mentioned in the bill.
Screenshot of State Representative Stefani Lord's March 19 Facebook post.
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According to Source NM, Republican legislators questioned whether the reproductive health care clinic project was ready for construction at a designated location. Rep. Derrick Lente informed colleagues that no location had been chosen yet. This allocation mirrors another $10 million project funded in Las Cruces' East Mesa in 2023. In response to the clinic's funding request, Rep. Rod Montoya introduced an amendment to eliminate it, but it was tabled after Lente argued it set a dangerous precedent for vetoing single items.
Citizens can track New Mexico Capital Outlay projects through the New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration's Capital Outlay Dashboard. The dashboard provides information on appropriation distribution by county and details about individual projects.
Lord has represented New Mexico House District 22 since 2021. She holds a bachelor's degree in psychology with an emphasis on neurochemistry from Portland State University and is also a small business owner and founder of Pro-Gun Women, a citizen action group.
