ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The chairman of a key legislative committee says New Mexico's finances have been hit by a double-whammy of a pandemic and an oil-price crash. But state Sen. John Arthur Smith says the blow will be somewhat cushioned by decisions made during the last legislative session to build up reserves. In a message to fellow lawmakers, he also warns that a special legislative session and tough choices still lie ahead. The Legislative Finance Committee outlined recent spending increases and upcoming challenges in a post-session review made public Monday. It's still unclear how soon lawmakers could be called upon to revise the state's $7.6 billion budget.
New Mexico lawmaker: Special session and tough choices ahead
Senator John Arthur Smith (D-Dona Ana, Hidalgo, Sierra-35), Chair, Legislative Finance Committee