On this week's episode, we’re talking to New Mexico Representative Nathan Small, a Democrat from Las Cruces. We’ll be talking about how he has approached this year’s 60-day session of the New Mexico Legislature. We’ll take a look at many of the big-ticket items lawmakers are discussing as they set about crafting an historically large budget.
Totaling more than $9.5 billion in recurring spending — an 11.9% increase from the last fiscal year — there is no shortage of ideas on how best to spend that money. And that doesn’t include the one-time, nonrecurring funds that will be doled out this year.
Legislators have put forth ideas to improve education, public safety, early childhood development, bail reform, water conservation and energy, just to name a few. We’ll talk to Representative Small about all of those things and more.
We’ll also talk about the state’s Land Grant Permanent Fund — sometimes referred to as the “rainy day fund” — which has long been closely guarded by legislators, though that may be changing.
Small, who has served in the House since 2017, is a conservationist by trade and currently serves as chair of the House Appropriations and Finance Committee and is a member of the House Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Committee and the House Printing and Supplies Committee.
This week, I’m pleased to have Representative Small joining us.