Grisham Calls for Special Legislative Session

By Andrea Ano Mar 22 2020, 06:56 AM EDT

Although it is unclear how the Legislature will convene after health restrictions prohibited gatherings of 10 or more people, New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has called for a special session to address issues concerning revisions on the state budget amid the coronavirus pandemic.

In a statement, Grisham said that aside from the revision of the state budget, state legislators expect that the special session will also address public health needs and provide economic relief amid the spread of local infection caused by COVID-19.

New Mexico heavily relies on the petroleum sector for more than a third of its annual income. Instability in the oil prices will threaten the stability of state government income sources, prompting lawmakers to revise its recently signed state budget shortly after approving a 7.5% increase in state general funding.

"To prepare for a special session, I believe that we must first understand the long-term effects and needs arising from this emergency," Grisham , emphasizing the need for updated and reliable revenue projections and a clear picture of the full spectrum of assistance that the federal government will be providing to states.

Republicans have earlier asked for the state budget to be re-assessed, saying that the economic effects of the COVID-2019 could cost the state up to a billion dollars.

Minority leader Rep. James Townsend has suggested that the state should freeze spending as a precaution and grant tax filing extensions over the possibility that the new health emergency restrictions may bankrupt many businesses.

"The sooner we address these issues, the less painful it will be. The longer we take to address some, more severe and more impactful they will have to be," he said.

Grisham vetoed a $159 million infrastructure spending, and instead signed a $7.6 billion state budget for the across the board pay increase for state workers and school staff, and major investments in public school education.

They are also on alert for the economic impact especially for the business, such as declining revenues, that will arise from the crisis.

The Democratic governor recently joined other state governors for a conference call with President Donald Trump to discuss the need for federal community development block grants to aid businesses, as well as supply chain concerns on personal protective equipment for medical personnel and coronavirus testing supplies.

"Where is it? Who is making it and where is it getting deployed?" said spokesman Tripp Stelnicki, echoing the governor's hope for clear federal coordination.

Meanwhile, the Health department confirmed that statewide infections have climbed to 43 as of March 21, Saturday.

Purchasing has become limited to three items each for toilet paper, infant care items, and over the counter medicine among many others. Supermarkets are accommodating the elderly by allotting opening hours just for them.

Public health officials have ordered the closure of schools and other public places, such as shopping malls and movie houses, and banned large gatherings. Likewise, bar and restaurant operations have been limited to takeout or delivery service.