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New Mexico lawmakers start 30-day session on Tuesday

SANTA FE, N.M.  — High-stakes decisions on spending, voting access, public education and criminal justice await New Mexico legislators during a 30-day legislative session.

Legislators will convene Tuesday at noon. New Mexico state government has a multibillion dollar general fund surplus thanks to federal pandemic relief and a surge in oil production and natural gas prices.

At the same time, the state is contending with shortages of teachers, police and nurses along with a spike in urban violence and concerns about the fragile status of American democracy and the environment.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and the Democrat-led legislature are promising to increase spending, cut tax rates and improve public health and safety.