CYFD budget increase to fund more than 100 Protective Services positions
01.10.2019
SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Thursday released her first budget proposal ahead of the 2019 legislative session scheduled to begin next week.
The fiscal year 2020 executive recommendation represents the governor’s steadfast commitment to a transformed New Mexico, a thriving state where responsible, forward-thinking investments are made in public education and educators, early childhood education and education initiatives targeted at vulnerable and at-risk communities, local economic development, workforce training programs, health services, early intervention and staffing at the Children, Youth and Families Department.
“We are taking the steps to put our priorities into policy,” Gov. Lujan Grisham said.
The budget proposal includes the following:
- An overall general fund recurring budget of $7.1 billion, a 13 percent increase with a 25 percent general fund reserve target.
- More than $500 million in additional funding for public education, a true moonshot for New Mexico’s students, educators, parents and communities, which includes a 6 percent pay increase for teachers, principals and education personnel and a raise in tiered minimum salaries as well as minimum salaries for principals and a minimum wage increase for all education personnel to $12 an hour; $113 million to increase the at-risk index in the funding formula to provide for low-income students, minority students, English language learners and students with disabilities; $60 million for increasing the number of pre-kindergarten slots, the number of high-quality Pre-K educators, and financial aid for early childhood educators; $6 million for the Indian Education Fund; and $5 million for a program to support educators who have had to fund classroom supplies out of pocket, among numerous other new or enhanced funding initiatives that will boost student achievement and learning environments.
- A substantially increased investment in the Local Economic Development Act, to $75 million, as well as investments in the Job Training Incentive Program, tourism marketing initiatives, Main Street and other economic development and workforce programs.
- A $36.5 million increase in the CYFD budget, including almost $4 million to fund more than 100 new Protective Services positions.
- Significant investments in health services, among them $27 million for Centennial Care enrollment and utilization growth; a $6.3 million increase for early intervention services in the Family, Infant and Toddler program; and increases to support behavioral health services within the Corrections Department as well as enhanced care coordination between group health homes across the state.
- One-time funds to repay the entirety of the state’s film rebate backlog.
- Tiered salary increases of 4 percent for state employees making less than $25,000; 3 percent for those making $25,000 to $50,000; 2 percent for those making more than $50,000; and an across-the-board minimum wage increase for state employees to $12 an hour.
Attached to this release is a file including a more thorough rundown of highlights of Gov. Lujan Grisham’s executive recommendation from the Department of Finance and Administration.
The governor’s full budget is linked and available for review here.