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New Mexico Senate endorses budget bill emphasizing savings during oil sector windfall

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New Mexico Senate endorses budget bill emphasizing savings during oil sector windfall


SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico is preparing to set aside billions of dollars to sustain government spending in the future in case an oil production bonanza fades in the transition to cleaner sources of energy. The Senate on Monday approved a $10.2 billion annual spending plan that also creates new endowments and trusts designed to support critical programs in the future. The 31-10 Senate vote sends the bill back to the House for concurrence on amendments. The Democratic-led Legislature has until noon on Thursday to send a budget bill to Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham for consideration.

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico would set aside well over $1 billion to guarantee tuition-free college and sustain government spending in case its oil production bonanza fades in the transition to cleaner energy sources under an annual spending plan endorsed by the state Senate on Monday.

The 31-10 Senate vote sends the bill back to the House for concurrence on amendments. The Democratic-led Legislature has until noon Thursday to send a budget bill to Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, who can approve or veto any provisions.

The bill as amended would increase annual general fund spending by $653 million, or 6.8%, to $10.2 billion for the fiscal year running from July 2024 through June 2025.

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The boost in state spending is dwarfed by more than $1.3 billion in general fund transfers to new endowments and trusts designed to bolster scholarships for college and professional training, housing construction, outdoor conservation programs and autonomous Native American education programs.

Legislators anticipate a $3.5 billion budget surplus for the coming fiscal year, driven largely by oil and natural gas production in the Permian Basin that overlaps southwestern New Mexico and western Texas.

Republican state Sen. William Burt of Alamogordo urged colleagues to support the bill “because oil and gas won’t always be there for us.”

“We’ve got to look farther than the next few years. We’ve got to look at the long … future of New Mexico,” said Burt, one of six Republicans who voted for the spending bill.

The budget plan includes a new $959 million trust to permanently underwrite tuition-free college without fees for New Mexico residents — an initiative championed by Grisham since taking office in 2019. Public scholarships still are supported in part by lottery ticket sales.

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The bill allocates $512 million to a “government results and opportunity” trust that would underwrite a variety of new programs during a three-year vetting period before future funding is guaranteed.

Another $75 million fund would help state and local governments compete for more federal infrastructure spending from the Inflation Reduction Act, the Biden administration’s signature climate, health care and tax package.

A conservation fund established in 2023 would get a $300 million infusion. Democratic Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth said that would guarantee annual distributions of about $21 million to an array of conservation programs at state natural resources agencies, from soil enhancement programs in agriculture to conservation of threatened and big-game species.

A revolving loan fund to finance construction would receive a $175 million infusion to expand both housing and commercial building inventory.

“New Mexico, you are not a poor state,” said state Sen. George Muñoz of Gallup, the Senate’s lead budget negotiator, urging colleagues to endorse the budget and its investment strategy.

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Democratic state Sen. Bill Soules of Las Cruces voted for the bill but cautioned that the state shouldn’t lose sight of such urgent concerns as childhood poverty as it builds up savings and investments. The bill includes funding for universal free school breakfasts and lunches.

“Are we afraid of the future and so afraid that we’re going to put money away for the future instead of addressing the needs today?” Soules said. “Making sure children don’t go hungry in New Mexico, aren’t abused and have a place to sleep at night — all of those are our obligations.”

Major annual spending increases include a 6.1% boost to K-12 public school funding, to $4.4 billion.

Medicaid spending would increase by $180 million, or 11%, as pandemic-era federal subsidies for the program recede and New Mexico increases payment rates to medical providers, including care for women with newborn children. The budget bill also increases pay by 3% for state employees and staff at K-12 schools, state colleges and public universities at an annual cost of $214 million.

It would funnel more money to rural hospitals, literacy programs, state police salaries, safety-net programs for seniors and road construction and maintenance.

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Several provisions of the budget are contingent upon approval of companion legislation:

—New Mexico would become the 14th state to ensure paid time off to workers when they’re seriously ill or to care for newborns and loved ones under a bill that advanced Monday toward a decisive House floor vote after Senate approval. The budget would provide at least $24 million to launch the program, which funds leave through a combination of employee and employer contributions.

—Final passage is still pending on changes that would reduce personal income taxes across the earnings spectrum, collect more taxes on investment income, and provide tax credits toward the purchase of new and used electric vehicles that can be combined with federal subsidies. State government would forgo about $220 million in annual income. The bill passed the Senate on a 26-13 vote Monday, and awaits a House concurrence vote.

—Final approval also was pending Monday on several new endowments and trusts.

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Arizona-New Mexico free livestream: How to watch college football game, TV, time

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Arizona-New Mexico free livestream: How to watch college football game, TV, time


The Arizona Wildcats play against the New Mexico Lobos in a college football game tonight. The matchup will be broadcasted on ESPN at 9:30 p.m. CT. Fans can watch this game for free online by using the free trials offered by Fubo TV and DirecTV Stream. Alternatively, Sling offers a first month discount to new users.

Arizona will begin their first season in the Big 12 Conference this year, and they are coming off a great 2023 campaign. The Wildcats ended the year with a 10-3 record, which was good enough to be ranked as the 14th-best team in the country. The team will try to perform similarly in 2024, as they start the season ranked #21.

Arizona will be led by their new head coach Brent Brennan, who was hired in the offseason. He was previously the head coach at San Jose State, and he helped them obtain back-to-back winning seasons.

Brennan could guide Arizona to a conference championship appearance this year, as he takes over a highly talented roster. Notably, the Wildcats have junior quarterback Noah Fifita leading the offense. He was able to dominate during his sophomore season, throwing for 25 touchdowns and nearly 2,900 yards.

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New Mexico is looking to pull off the upset tonight, but it will be a tall order. The New Mexico squad began the 2024 season with a 35-31 loss against an FCS opponent, so Arizona has a great chance to dominate this evening.

Fans can watch this college football game for free online by using the free trials offered by Fubo TV and DirecTV Stream. Alternatively, Sling offers a first month discount to new users.



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How to watch the New Mexico vs. Arizona NCAA college football game today: Livestream options, more

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How to watch the New Mexico vs. Arizona NCAA college football game today: Livestream options, more


Arizona Wildcats QB Noah Fifita throws a pass during the Valero Alamo Bowl game featuring the Arizona Wildcats and the Oklahoma Sooners on December 28, 2023 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, TX. 

John Rivera/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images


Week 1 of the 2024 NCAA college football season is finally here. The New Mexico vs. Arizona NCAA college football game will be played late tonight. The teams’ first game of the season will take place at Arizona Stadium in Tuscon, AZ.

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Keep reading for how and when to watch the New Mexico vs. Arizona NCAA college football game today, even if you don’t have cable.


How and when to watch the New Mexico vs. Arizona college football game

The New Mexico vs. Arizona game will be played on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024 at 10:30 p.m. ET (7:30 p.m. PT). The college football game will air on ESPN, and stream on Sling TV and the platforms featured below.  


How and when to watch today’s New Mexico vs. Arizona game without cable

While many cable packages include ESPN, it’s easy to watch the game if ESPN isn’t included in your cable TV subscription, or if you don’t have cable at all. Your best options for watching are below. (Streaming options will require an internet provider.)

Sling TV: The most cost-effective way to stream college football

If you don’t have cable TV that includes ESPN, one of the most cost-effective ways to stream college football this season is through a subscription to Sling TV. We suggest leveling up your coverage to the Orange + Blue with Sports Extra tier to get more NFL and college football games this fall.

The Orange + Blue plan regularly costs $60 per month, but the streamer currently offers a half-off promotion for your first month, so you’ll pay just $30. The Orange + Blue with Sports Extra plan is $45 for your first month and $75 per month after. The Sports Extras add-on features 18 channels ($15/month), including ESPNU, SEC Network, Big 10 Network and ACC Network, making it ideal for watching college football this year.

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The streamer is also currently offering big savings on four months of the Orange + Blue tier plus the Sports Extra plan when you prepay for the Sling TV Season Pass. The plan costs $219, reduced from $300.

Note: Because Sling TV does not carry CBS, Sling subscribers will want to add Paramount+ to their bundle. Note: Paramount+ and CBS Essentials are both subsidiaries of Paramount Global.

Top features of Sling TV Orange + Blue plan:

  • Sling TV is our top choice for streaming major sporting events like NASCAR.
  • There are 52 channels to watch in total, including local ESPN, NBC, Fox and ABC affiliates (where available).
  • You get access to most local NFL games and nationally broadcast games at the lowest price.
  • All subscription tiers include 50 hours of cloud-based DVR storage.
  • You can add Golf Channel, NBA TV, NHL Network, NFL RedZone, MLB Network, Tennis Channel and more sports-oriented channels (18 in total) via Sling TV’s Sports Extras add-on.

Watch the New Mexico vs. Arizona game free with FuboTV

You can watch every college football game airing on network TV, plus tonight’s game, on FuboTV. FuboTV is a sports-centric streaming service that offers access to almost every college football and NFL game of the season. Packages include CBS, Fox Sunday NFC games via “NFL on Fox”, NBC (“Sunday Night Football”), ESPN (“Monday Night Football”), NFL Network and more, so you’ll be able to watch more than just today’s games, all without a cable subscription.

To watch college football without cable, start a seven-day free trial of Fubo. You can begin watching immediately on your TV, phone, tablet or computer. In addition to NFL football, FuboTV offers MLB, NBA, NHL, MLS and international soccer games. 

Top features of FuboTV Pro Tier:

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  • There are no contracts with FuboTV — you can cancel at any time.
  • The Pro tier includes over 180 channels, including NFL Network. (You’ll need to upgrade to Ultimate for NFL RedZone.)
  • FuboTV includes all the channels you’ll need to watch college and pro football, including CBS (not available through Sling TV).
  • All tiers come with 1,000 hours of cloud-based DVR recording.
  • Stream on your TV, phone, tablet and other devices.

Watch the New Mexico vs. Arizona game on Hulu + Live TV

You can watch college football, including ESPN, with Hulu + Live TV. The bundle features access to 90 channels, including both Fox and FS1. Unlimited DVR storage is also included. Watch every game on every network with Hulu + Live TV, plus catch live NFL preseason games, exclusive live regular season games, popular studio shows (including NFL Total Access and the Emmy-nominated show Good Morning Football) and lots more.

Hulu + Live TV comes bundled with ESPN+ and Disney+ for $77 per month after a three-day free trial.


Waiting for the game to start? Check out Amazon’s college football fan shop

If you’re anxiously waiting for today’s game to begin, now is a great time to check out Amazon’s college football fan shop. The Amazon College Fan Shop is filled to the brim with officially licensed fan gear: You’ll find jerseys, team flags, T-shirts, hoodies and more, including tons of great gear for the football fan in your life. There are plenty of great deals awaiting you at Amazon, too, including some must-see deals on TVs for watching sports.

Tap the button below to head directly to the College Fan Shop page on Amazon and select your favorite team.


What is the New Mexico Lobos’ current team ranking?

The New Mexico Lobos are currently ranked 119 out of 134 teams, according to our sister site CBS Sports.


What is the Arizona Wildcats’ current team ranking?

The Arizona Wildcats are currently ranked 22 out of 134 teams, according to CBS Sports.

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When is the 2024 NCAA college football championship game?

The College Football Playoff National Championship will be Monday, January 20, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA.




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New Mexico Ends Talks With Pentagon, Renews PFAS Legal Fight (1)

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New Mexico Ends Talks With Pentagon, Renews PFAS Legal Fight (1)


New Mexico has notified a federal court that the state is terminating settlement efforts in a first-of-its-kind lawsuit in which the Department of Defense challenged the state’s authority to require an Air Force base to clean up PFAS wastes.

Zachary Ogaz, general counsel for the New Mexico Environment Department, notified the chief circuit mediator for the US Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit on Aug. 27 of the state’s “intent to terminate mediation discussions” that the parties have held for more than a year in US v. New Mexico Env’t Dep’t. The next step in the litigation is …



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