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.

A $170 million investment intended to boost the number of nursing, teaching, and social work graduates, mostly by adding college faculty, is falling short, with colleges and universities slow to implement programs.

State election costs nearly tripled between the 2021 regular local election and the 2024 general election, largely due to increased vendor and county costs

The healthcare insurance premium surtax generates more money for the healthcare affordability fund than needed to support programs that make health insurance more accessible, but changes on the federal level could increase demand.