When the New Mexico Legislature begins its 30-day session on January 20, lawmakers will decide how to allocate state funds amid declining revenue projections. As of December 2025, about $892 million in new revenue is expected for the upcoming fiscal year, a decrease from earlier estimates. The executive budget recommendation from Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham proposes $11.3 billion in recurring spending for fiscal year 2027, an increase of 4.6 percent over the previous year and maintains reserves at 30 percent, or $3.4 billion. The legislative budget recommendation totals $11.1 billion, a 2.5 percent increase, with reserves at 33 percent.
The University of New Mexico (UNM), as the state’s flagship university, has outlined its legislative priorities for this session. These focus areas include health care access, workforce development, educational opportunity, research innovation, and statewide competitiveness.
UNM’s approach aligns with its long-term UNM 2040 strategic framework and aims to improve outcomes for students and communities across New Mexico, particularly in rural and underserved regions.
In health care, UNM plans to expand capacity at its School of Medicine to train more doctors and allied health professionals. It also seeks to integrate clinical care with research and public health strategies targeting substance use disorder and supports efforts to recruit and retain medical staff in underserved areas.
To develop a homegrown workforce and diversify the economy, UNM supports growth in science fields such as quantum information science, artificial intelligence, advanced energy technologies, public health, and biosciences. The university also aims to strengthen educational pathways connecting pre-K-12 schools with its campuses statewide.
Regarding student support and campus safety, UNM emphasizes affordability through continued investment in scholarship programs like the Opportunity Scholarship—which would see an increase from $146 million last year to $168 million under the executive budget proposal—and improvements to campus infrastructure and cybersecurity.
For enhancing New Mexico’s national competitiveness and quality of life for residents, UNM advocates fully funding compensation increases for all employees while addressing pay inequities among faculty and staff. The university also supports recruitment incentives and partnerships with public and private sectors to adapt to changes in federal funding.
Specific capital projects identified by UNM include renovations at the School of Law ($15.5 million), University Stadium ($50 million), STEM facilities planning ($300,000), as well as major investments in branch campuses across Gallup, Los Alamos, Taos, and Valencia.
The legislative session concludes on February 19.
“The University of New Mexico enters the 2026 legislative session focused on priorities that strengthen health care, expand educational opportunity, promote cutting edge research, build a homegrown workforce, and enhance the state’s long-term competitiveness.”
“Aligned with UNM 2040…UNM’s FY27 legislative priorities emphasize investments that improve outcomes for students, patients, communities, and the state as a whole…”
“UNM seeks to expand New Mexico’s health care workforce and improve outcomes…”
“UNM advances workforce readiness and innovation through education…”
“UNM prioritizes affordability…student success…safe…learning environments.”
“UNM supports policies that strengthen workforce stability…”
For further details about the session visit Government Relations.
