New Mexico
Lawmakers debating various bills to address cost of living
SANTA FE, N.M. – New Mexico lawmakers are debating various bills to address the cost of living in New Mexico, with a focus on universal free child care and housing initiatives.
Child Care
A bill promising universal free child care for working families has passed the halfway mark, with nearly $100 million in extra funding allocated. Sen. George Muñoz, D-N.M., said, “If you’re paying $3000 a month in childcare, 1500 or 1000 per kid, and all of a sudden, we’re picking that up for you. I mean, that puts real money in your family planning.”
Despite this progress, concerns remain about limited daycare capacity in New Mexico.
Health Care
Last year, a record 84,000 New Mexicans enrolled in the state’s health insurance marketplace. The House has approved an additional $113 million to continue backfilling expired federal tax credits. Rep. Reena Sczcepanski, D-N.M., said, “New Mexicans this year who get their coverage through the exchange can breathe easy knowing that that assistance is there.”
Home Ownership
Efforts to make first-time homes more attainable are also underway. Rep. Cristina Parajón, D-N.M., said, “We just – we need homes. We need supply.” The state plans to spend $10 million to incentivize homebuilders to construct more “starter homes.”
Parajón explained, “They’re homes that are 1800 square feet or smaller, and they’re usually on a plot of land that’s 5000 meters or smaller.” The new program would offer zero-interest loans, making building and buying cheaper, with up to $50,000 available in most counties and up to $75,000 in Santa Fe, Taos, and Los Alamos counties.
Miles D. Conway, CEO of the New Mexico Homebuilders Association, said, “putting that money on the table. The builder knows it’s there, and it creates, takes projects from the drawing board to actually be real.” However, Conway acknowledged that New Mexico is still 32,000 homes short, saying, “we are not going to fix this problem this session, but we are on the path to taking New Mexico towards housing affordability.”
Josh’s Saturday Night Forecast
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – Calmer weather has moved back into the state this afternoon. Temperatures are slightly warmer across northwestern New Mexico, while southeastern areas are cooler thanks to the backdoor cold fronts that moved in on Friday. Breezier winds will return Sunday and will help kick off a warming trend across the state, along with an elevated fire threat in eastern New Mexico.
Warmer weather will continue building in across the state throughout the upcoming week. A few isolated rain chances will return Monday in parts of New Mexico, but some of that rain may evaporate before reaching the ground.
Good morning!
Heading out the door this morning? Bundle up! Cold air has settled into the Land of Enchantment after two cold fronts passed through New Mexico within the last 24 hours. Temperatures have fallen to the teens, 20s and 30s throughout northern New Mexico. The metro area is just as cold with Moriarty falling to the teens and several other cities bottoming out near the freezing point. The National Weather Service (NWS) has Freeze Warnings in place until 9 a.m. for several locations in northern and central New Mexico. However, one of the aforementioned cold fronts is still moving through eastern New Mexico this morning. That back door cold front has brought 30-45 mph wind gusts, or more, in southeastern New Mexico. The front will push west further west this morning bringing breezy winds to far south and southwestern New Mexico this afternoon. Otherwise, much calmer weather will be on tap for the state compared to the majority of this week.
The colder air this morning will bring cooler and seasonable weather to the Land of Enchantment later on Saturday. Afternoon highs will range from the high 50s, in sections of the northern mountains, to the 70s in southern New Mexico. Throughout the weekend into early next week a warming trend is expected as a ridge of high pressure builds on Sunday, which is forecasted to last through at least Tuesday. By next Tuesday, high temperatures will be 5 to 15 degrees above normal, and even warmer for some locations by next Wednesday with breezy conditions returning to the state.
Moisture does stream back into the state early next week across New Mexico. Tomorrow’s forecast is expected to have cloud coverage increase with warmer weather. On Monday sufficient moisture in the mid to upper levels of the atmosphere will bring the chance for showers; however, moisture levels toward the surface will be lower. That will also bring the chance for dry showers and thunderstorms throughout the state. Have a great weekend and stay warm this morning!
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – A New Mexico man has taken a plea deal for his role in the death of a three-year-old girl more than two years ago. Police said that Kerri Santos brought her toddler to University of New Mexico Hospital, claiming that she fell and hurt herself. Medical staff determined the child was already dead when she arrived, and noticed signs of abuse, including evidence that she had been tied up. Police said that Santos and three others were staying at James Welch’s home when the abuse took place.
On Friday, Welch pleaded no contest to three counts of child abuse and tampering with evidence. He faces up to five years behind bars.
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