Legislative Finance Committee

The LFC report cards on state agency performance continue to show mixed results, with the Motor Vehicle Division falling short of its targets on call center and field office wait times but the Department of Public Safety showing a significant decline in alcohol-related traffic deaths.

The University of New Mexico Hospital and other clinical services are bringing in more revenue than ever from patient services, but do not share their full financial picture with the Legislature, making it difficult for the Legislature to properly appropriate money to the UNM Health Sciences Center and its components.

New Mexico spent $65 million in FY19 on the higher reimbursement rates awarded to childcare providers ranked as higher quality under the state licensing and rating system, but while all childcare providers generally help families become more financially stable and help children stay healthy, few providers, regardless of quality ranking, help children prepare for school.

Recurring revenues are expected to be down 3 percent this fiscal year -- although still $286.6 million over planned spending -- and then up again in the budget year that starts July 1, 2020, resulting in $797 million in "new money," FY21 projected recurring revenues less FY20 recurring appropriations, available for budget drafters when the Legislature meets in January. Recurring revenues for the fiscal year that ended June 30were up 17.5 percent over FY18.

General fund recurring revenues ended FY19 at $8 billion, up $1.2 billion from the prior fiscal year and $85.8 million from the August consensus forecast, while revenue for FY20 through August were up $20.9 million from the same period a year ago and are tracking $68.5 million ahead of the August forecast mostly due to strength in revenue from personal income taxes and gross receipts taxes.