[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6028840,"mediaKeyId","5677126-1838818d5e70480ac1db1e9188c1ac0c","parentId",5677126,"title","Appropriators raise early childhood trust fund target to $400 million; debate centers on infant‑toddler capacity and preK saturation","audioSeconds",1614,"startMs",1749000,"endMs",3363000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5677126-1838818d5e70480ac1db1e9188c1ac0c&start=1749&end=3363","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5677126-1838818d5e70480ac1db1e9188c1ac0c/thumbnail_1749000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6028840/New-Mexico/Appropriators-raise-early-childhood-trust-fund-target-to-400-million-debate-centers-on-infanttoddler-capacity-and-preK-saturation","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6028840-278640f445486927fc9305ec3c5e32a1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770564527&Signature=OEgXhNAXtWNyHY5UAqNZ1LjdMm1fGNNFXaxhJSjco2-nzmnobWae7avv1A5mt~7kKdxtRpyZ~QQtRZPQlL8amtB2xtlrbaMuC8uZtcNTv7PCOPXhR0nbf~o3nyu1ZEZb4FBQlp3TH5uJsOVDKxr5m3tjYUqIGNy7kaPJbkhp~U9Nk94l1LQ21Lt-ND~kIELch5E55IqfELez9JqHxLfbmPtq59OV4JEcuRvZZBQM4eNn5nNECE00z6NESSYi2f5i8sbOGGGUnHuRoPInSJ7gRIs2RzaCS8bSCbw6TX7a5Ka20jA9Vsp4Cr7DToTAHSpDClqRz5-Rg7905EcFipRUEA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","House Appropriations and Finance","date","2025-02-15T00:00:00Z","article","House Appropriations & Finance Committee staff presented a HAFC scenario that increases the Early Childhood Trust Fund distribution to $400 million from the LFC recommendation of about $289.9 million. Staff identified line‑item increases intended to expand infant and toddler care, prekindergarten and related workforce and infrastructure supports.

Under the HAFC scenario, staff flagged the following additions to reach $400 million: $56,000,000 for child care (prioritized for infant and toddler care), $1,500,000 for IT, $5,000,000 for Medicaid state match for Family Infant Toddler (FIT) services, $10,000,000 for home visiting, $1,000,000 for CACFP reimbursements, $2,500,000 for educator incentives and $25,000,000 for prekindergarten; the $25,000,000 preK line incorporates a previously recommended $10,000,000 from the permanent fund for a total of $35,000,000 for preK in the package.

Kelly (LFC analyst) told the work group: “...the LFC recommendation was for 289,900,000.0, and the HAFC recommendation scenario brings that up to 400,000,000. So the difference is that 101.1.” The HAFC scenario also adds technical language directing childcare assistance increases to be prioritized for infant and toddler care.

Members pressed staff on operational effects of regulatory changes proposed in other venues. Representative Dow expressed concern that reducing group sizes and lowering ratios, even to improve quality, could reduce total slots available in many communities. “I am not okay with compounding the issue,” she said, calling for committee language to ensure expanded funding includes sufficient support for any capacity changes caused by regulatory action.

Staff and department officials responded that the HAFC scenario combines both supply-building and quality investments: a $10,000,000 revolving fund administered by the New Mexico Finance Authority (NMFA) to build physical supply and $56,000,000 prioritized for child care slots aimed at infants and toddlers. DFA staff estimated the program cost per infant slot at the high end of roughly $20,000 per child annually; public preK was estimated at about $13,000 per child.

Members also debated preK “saturation” under the current RFP scoring. Department staff said New Mexico is at roughly 84% preK participation statewide and that some districts will be over 80% while others remain much lower; staff said they would provide district‑level saturation data to the committee. Department staff also clarified that certain 4‑ and 5‑star private providers that operate on a different eligibility basis are not counted in the denominator used to compute preK saturation for New Mexico PreK.

Several members asked for explicit committee language to prioritize infant and toddler capacity and to avoid unintentionally reducing statewide slots while raising quality. LFC staff offered to draft suggested language on group size and ratio and to return data by district on current saturation and slot impacts.

Ending: Committee members did not adopt final language in the work group. Staff committed to provide district-level saturation data, draft clarifying language on group size/ratio impacts and to provide additional detail before the HAFC full‑committee meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Appropriations and Finance (Pt.3)- Feb 15, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","HAFC staff proposed increasing the Early Childhood Trust Fund distribution to $400 million, adding funds for infant‑toddler slots, prekindergarten expansion and workforce incentives; lawmakers pressed for assurances that quality improvements won’t reduce capacity.","taxTitle","Appropriations & Finance, House of Representatives, Committees, Legislative, New Mexico","taxId",64847,"location","New Mexico","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6028845,"Appropriators propose modest recurring staff increases for economic development, elections and regulation offices",267,4569000,4836000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5677126-1838818d5e70480ac1db1e9188c1ac0c&start=4569&end=4836","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5677126-1838818d5e70480ac1db1e9188c1ac0c/thumbnail_4569000.jpg","/articles/6028845/New-Mexico/Appropriators-propose-modest-recurring-staff-increases-for-economic-development-elections-and-regulation-offices","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6028845-4ced21ed7ce345c8ecc26ff64dc29a41/orig.mp4?Expires=1770564527&Signature=b0O4wF82WPF92aQ5HpqH74JIs5gp-igFoeA5HrtECK6wP43uJERrYe60PGpezIh4HDQC3UpGPviad43S1QKTESsVJnDn2TCj775t8WTLUT1o-RgzKbt0RpJtrCRZZnOpxkuRouN8XmK-qw1cQ~FvCpXNHJZdPEkq0hMzvZbsmmUq0r~5MVEgvPn67qSelYmvYxKc9TXjMnvkF3luorEFuw~ecRD3GvzS6yIWcDACGKm~oWil3MWl6In3tjwhQen9774eY5kL6nzq1FtL6lW9YDcFMrjycQ3dE4tBwYs2vmNtCDyb7br-q9i0L7wYFI8c-YljV1BgUDsTvxWL4vQGIg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Appropriations & Finance Committee (HAFC) scenario would add modest recurring personnel funding for several state agencies to help them implement new statutory duties and reduce vacancy shortfalls. The proposal includes $1,000,000 for the Economic Development Department, $500,000 for the Department of Cultural Affairs’ museums program, $500,000 for the Secretary of State, $458,000 for the Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) and $200,000 for the Public Regulation Commission (PRC).

Committee staff told members the Economic Development Department has taken on new responsibilities and special appropriations since the original hearings. “The proposal here is to do an additional $1,000,000 of recurring funding into personnel for economic development,” said Kelly (LFC analyst).

HAFC members asked whether the increases were for new positions or pay adjustments. Kelly said the Economic Development Department and PRC funds were intended to pay for new staff; cultural affairs funding was primarily to reduce vacancy rates. “For economic development, it would be new staff. For PRC, it would be new staff. I believe cultural affairs is helping adjust vacancies,” Kelly said.

Members also discussed prior increases. A member noted the Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) recommendation and earlier adjustments: “AJFC adopted the LFC recommendation for the PRC, and that recommendation included an increase in the general fund of 329,000 for additional FTE,” a committee member summarized, adding the $200,000 in HAFC’s scenario would be “on top of that.”

DFA staff needs funding to manage additional workload from new legislation and special appropriations; HAFC’s scenario provides $458,000 for personnel across two P-codes, with the committee noting some of that would support local government and fiscal management programs that pay out state obligations.

Committee members repeatedly described these increases as modest and within the committee’s growth framework; no final vote or formal action was taken in the work‑group discussion. Staff said the amounts would be revisited as other work groups report and ahead of any Monday full-committee adoption.

The proposals aim to align agency capacity with new statutory responsibilities while limiting recurring spending growth. HAFC staff said they plan to provide committee members with P-code details and additional background ahead of the full-committee meeting.

Ending: The work group concluded without adopting language; staff will circulate more detailed P-code and implementation materials for members to review before the full committee meets.","HAFC members discussed modest recurring personnel increases for the Economic Development Department, Department of Cultural Affairs museums program, Secretary of State, Department of Finance and Administration and the Public Regulation Commission to address new responsibilities and vacancy pressures.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6028826,"Appropriators propose increases for water and parks: $1.5M for State Engineer, $6M one‑time for soil and water districts",691,8155000,8846000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5677126-1838818d5e70480ac1db1e9188c1ac0c&start=8155&end=8846","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5677126-1838818d5e70480ac1db1e9188c1ac0c/thumbnail_8155000.jpg","/articles/6028826/New-Mexico/Appropriators-propose-increases-for-water-and-parks-15M-for-State-Engineer-6M-onetime-for-soil-and-water-districts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6028826-6f83634dfac806940f3c2fd6badb57b0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770564527&Signature=S4o47851KU3-tCHNB3JFPaPUkUyU1eDDFd8blepRIS6H3MuJRV1LDovxfKCheu6oPpXU8GjlL8Ek151vj~H5jgAhRo3GqnhF~gdHHChb3gaEU7J~qwXmR88KqnyUfhdWalU-37eELaqEldogyvJeqHdajySmAJyIhrtR-smQyHav5sr5axOfE0641-bvaTavl6BN6GRe6RHdB2xm6yjYSeldYg6lzWT-TKpUAkTWVA~W-f0VMgRFS7dMwaKOME3wKgYOne9NYKFbuRz-QR4OdumMUFcZBjxN11o1sArJl0dKyA4H4e4LYqUCRZ2UUCjuvAEELM2FcxLpKmNzksbUUg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","HAFC staff reviewed natural resources high‑level proposals that would increase operating support for several agencies. Notable items in the HAFC scenario included a recurring $1,500,000 increase for personnel at the Office of the State Engineer, a recurring $300,000 increase for State Parks personnel and a one‑time $6,000,000 bump (raising the line from $3,000,000 to $9,000,000) to fully fund soil and water conservation districts for three years.

Staff explained the $1.5 million for the Office of the State Engineer is the agency’s top recurring priority and would be distributed across divisions to address staff salary and retention shortfalls; the increase would raise the agency’s general fund increase toward roughly 8 percent and, with other compensation packages, toward about 10.8 percent overall.

The one‑time soil and water conservation district appropriation is intended to cover operating expenses and would be routed through the New Mexico Department of Agriculture to the independent soil and water conservation districts. Committee members representing rural and fire‑affected areas supported the increase, describing the districts as uniquely positioned to work on private land to stabilize soils, repair post‑fire erosion and support watershed recovery.

Representative Pettigrew asked for a district‑level breakdown and for staff to confirm which state agency would administer the funds; staff said the funds would flow through the Department of Agriculture, which is administratively connected to New Mexico State University for those programmatic relationships.

Members also noted that State Parks lost capacity during the COVID pandemic and supported modest personnel increases to implement increased fee revenues and maintenance needs.

Ending: The natural resources work group concluded its review; HAFC staff will provide requested district breakdowns and technical language as the package moves to the full committee.","In HAFC’s natural resources discussion, staff proposed a $1,500,000 recurring increase for the Office of the State Engineer, $300,000 recurring for State Parks personnel and a one‑time increase from $3 million to $9 million for soil and water conservation districts to cover operating costs.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6028832,"Appropriators add one‑time cybersecurity funds and review long‑running child support IT reauthorizations",1076,6156000,7232000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5677126-1838818d5e70480ac1db1e9188c1ac0c&start=6156&end=7232","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5677126-1838818d5e70480ac1db1e9188c1ac0c/thumbnail_6156000.jpg","/articles/6028832/New-Mexico/Appropriators-add-onetime-cybersecurity-funds-and-review-longrunning-child-support-IT-reauthorizations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6028832-38a57ba8046ad05b0f155ef052440868/orig.mp4?Expires=1770564527&Signature=NfttsnpL~67Ug6b-JdouCKeESTArhVc1ypR7uHJpWvzthjFsQlLAbMzl14s1VgMuJsx3vZ9srXYVAQprZXSOm5BTYwhV7KD7tiuc7EE5gp4lxA5c-YGcfen0s3V4Vm2PlyuHgW5ExB4EaaSdSh4dKPzkDfHCU8lxZSfq1~vu98c3aQ3tkGohdn069ajS1BaWnic90w9GrV8Ce9eDGx1EB9fuSf9gtVTsH2ZN21FqfU0JXy~EkY4U9KEcKEy1ZOvHYh2zzvNpyuVSUrk~IeczTuClLFXk7QsnoSfhQELhfLIj33slLMuEgGxfS80hv8BDLHYJrKDhBWXvB1K7ttr9QQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","HAFC staff flagged several IT and cybersecurity items in the committee’s C2 appropriations scenario and reauthorizations. The work group noted an increase in one‑time cybersecurity funding to $20,000,000, reauthorizations of roughly $5,500,000 and an additional reauthorization tranche that brings total cybersecurity new funding and reauthorizations to roughly $30.5 million across items discussed by staff.

Members pressed staff about long‑running reauthorizations for a child support enforcement replacement project administered by the Health Care Authority (HCA). Committee materials list multiple prior appropriations whose balances have been carried forward; HAFC staff called out three reauthorizations for the HCA child support replacement project that together represent roughly $16,000,000 in remaining balances across multiple fiscal years.

A Health Care Authority representative told the committee the project has proceeded in phases and that several major technical steps are already complete: the system was refactored and moved to the cloud and a mainframe migration went live in February 2022, electronic content management went live in 2024, and integration with the Yes New Mexico portal went live in 2023. The HCA representative said the next phase is to build out a user interface based on feasibility and requirements work with federal partners.

Committee members asked for clearer documentation of the reauthorization requests and said agencies requesting reauthorizations should show how prior appropriations were spent and how remaining funds will complete the project. HAFC and LFC staff said they will provide a project status update and more detailed breakdowns to members prior to Monday’s full committee consideration.

Ending: Work group members did not adopt final reauthorization actions at the meeting; staff and HCA officials agreed to provide updated project timelines, spending histories and a plan for the next phase of work.","HAFC staff increased one‑time cybersecurity funding to $20 million (plus reauthorizations) and flagged about $16 million of remaining balances for the Health Care Authority’s long‑running child support enforcement replacement project; HCA officials said substantial work has been done and the next phase is a user interface build.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6028836,"Lawmakers consider $24M in nonrecurring funds to hire 101 CYFD caseworkers and other workforce investments",949,3408000,4357000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5677126-1838818d5e70480ac1db1e9188c1ac0c&start=3408&end=4357","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5677126-1838818d5e70480ac1db1e9188c1ac0c/thumbnail_3408000.jpg","/articles/6028836/New-Mexico/Lawmakers-consider-24M-in-nonrecurring-funds-to-hire-101-CYFD-caseworkers-and-other-workforce-investments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6028836-e23ea77a1e039bd66d45223b5aa64b27/orig.mp4?Expires=1770564527&Signature=SoZiLytEyLAc-AaWtv1x8gWSdbjzowsOucKJBRfCfeFCUZqIDlUNAZ0vgtAYBJY-J8YFGqE~da54N-ZyASE2C2j7tesz2U1DdfVLuU6fsHmyRbgfXBfCz0B93844pkNyXsMMYDEt0kqVxG-VvHTZGsDzwY77-fAZN06mAu6XBdNa0ivMhKxGbkILVzjnM6UqyUnsqelC-9WJkDe5k-1ZJuxQCxdzXqElwmD0N8V6cPANZRStbwTnH1ZvUs1CYYvKVMqAQVHXD2Fnu7eX0JRHsYZ2Hng8am~neRY-ZLshnor5Zra88X4IcGRn5DTacedS4eYhX8c~~-q6HDdl27Eknw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","LFC staff briefed HAFC on a nonrecurring investment package for the Children, Youth and Families Department focused on workforce capacity, liability and system improvements. The package would shift many investments to the nonrecurring side and includes several targeted items:

- $24,000,000 general fund over three years (estimated $6,000,000 federal match) to reduce caseloads by funding an estimated 101 additional caseworkers;
- $5,400,000 general fund over three years (with an estimated $1,900,000 federal match) for a workforce training and evaluation partnership (staff identified New Mexico Highlands University as a partner);
- $1,470,000 to cover rising liability insurance premiums related to litigation and payouts;
- $100,000 for a foster care (TFC) rate study;
- $100,000 for an external employee health and engagement survey to understand retention drivers;
- reauthorization or technical assistance funding for Title IV‑E / Family First planning (LFC proposed reauthorizing a prior $200,000 and adding $200,000 more to pursue deeper technical assistance).

Rachel (CYFD presenter) explained the LFC recommendation “primarily made investments on the nonrecurring side instead of making increases recurring,” and described the workforce funding as targeted at caseload standards identified in arbitration. “That should allow the agency to hire about a 101 additional caseworkers,” Rachel said.

Committee members asked about current vacancy rates and whether the funding would be sufficient. Staff said CYFD’s vacancy rate is over 20 percent and that the GROW funds would be distributed across FY26–FY28 (about $8 million per year in the GF portion) to match federal draws and hire staff. Members also discussed classification and pay‑scale issues that complicate hiring and retention, noting that pay differentials across state programs have driven turnover and that a larger classification reform is underway to align compensation.

A range of commissioners and members expressed support for the workforce investments while urging attention to how the funds are targeted and how hiring will be executed. LFC staff said they would work with the department and DFA to refine performance measures and accountabilities tied to the investments.

Ending: The work group did not adopt final appropriations; staff committed to provide additional detail on projected hiring and performance measures before full‑committee consideration.","LFC staff presented nonrecurring investments for the Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD) that include $24 million in general fund (matched with an estimated $6 million federal) to add about 101 caseworkers over three years, workforce training partnerships, liability insurance increases and technical assistance for federal claiming.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Appropriators raise early childhood trust fund target to $400 million; debate centers on infant‑toddler capacity and preK saturation

Appropriators propose modest recurring staff increases for economic development, elections and regulation offices

Appropriators propose increases for water and parks: $1.5M for State Engineer, $6M one‑time for soil and water districts

Appropriators add one‑time cybersecurity funds and review long‑running child support IT reauthorizations

Lawmakers consider $24M in nonrecurring funds to hire 101 CYFD caseworkers and other workforce investments