Carla Sonntag, President and CEO of the New Mexico Business Coalition (NMBC), expressed concerns over Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham's allocation of $10 million in taxpayer funds for an abortion clinic in Raton. Sonntag said that this action represents a misuse of public money and potentially violates state law. Her remarks were made in an email dated March 26.
"Obviously, our tax dollars are being used to support people from other states, and this is the second time she has done so," said Sonntag. "Doesn't this use of taxpayer money violate New Mexico's Anti-Donation Clause? The state is not going to run that clinic, but since she got away with doing so in Las Cruces, she feels empowered to continue."
According to Source NM, Governor Lujan Grisham's proposal to establish a reproductive health clinic in Northern New Mexico has faced criticism from Republican lawmakers. They argue that the project lacks transparency and readiness, citing the absence of a confirmed location or construction timeline. Representative John Block questioned the fiscal responsibility of the initiative, asking, "How can we ensure that this money will indeed be given out for this purpose?"
In 2023, New Mexico reported approximately 21,000 abortions, with over 14,000 performed on out-of-state patients from Texas. This marks a significant increase following the overturning of Roe v. Wade and stricter abortion laws in neighboring states. As reported by KOB 4, clinic staff indicated that up to 90% of their patients now come from Texas, highlighting how regional policy differences have impacted reproductive healthcare access across the Southwest.
The New Mexico Legislature outlines that the Anti-Donation Clause in the state's Constitution prohibits direct or indirect donations of public funds to private entities. This clause aims to ensure public resources are used exclusively for public purposes, thereby preventing favoritism and misuse.
Sonntag leads NMBC in advocating for business interests throughout New Mexico. During COVID-19 shutdowns, she promoted a reopening strategy and contributed to drafting legislation intended to reduce rising unemployment insurance costs, as noted by ABQ Connect.
