New Mexico’s public school capital outlay funding formula is more fair than the funding mechanisms in many states, but a growing number of requests for exceptions to the rules suggest the need for changes.

New Mexico juvenile justice reforms to divert low-risk offenders from confinement has led to far fewer youth in secure facilities, but the state lacks the prevention and treatment services to keep low-risk juveniles from returning to the justice system.

New Mexico has one of the highest poverty rates in the nation, but a shrinking but still generous benefits packages theoretically allows many families to meet their needs.

The number of nonrecurring appropriations made by the Legislature to local governments has jumped from one for $250 thousand in FY18 to 33 for $232 million in FY26. At the same time, state capital outlay appropriations to local governments increased by 431 percent.

Despite spending more to provide healthcare to fewer New Mexicans, quality and access in the Medicaid program have changed little.

New Mexico’s universal school program has made progress in expanding participation and access, but its long-term impact depends on improved oversight, implementation, and quality standards.

Current funding for early childhood care and education programs is enough to ensure all low-income 3- and 4-year-olds have access to childcare, prekindergarten, or Head Start, but some areas of the state are underserved and not all programs prepare young children for future academic success.

Although medication-assisted treatment for substance abuse is proven effective and is available in more than 30 state public health offices, the offices have treated only a few hundred patients with opioid and alcohol use disorders.