Funding relieves colleges

Funding for higher education in New Mexico has been restored after a brief political battle in Santa Fe, much to the relief of local university administrators.

Gov. Susana Martinez on May 26 signed House Bill 1, appropriating $745 million to higher education institutions in the state and easing fears that colleges would not have a budget before the 2017-2018 fiscal year.

Clovis Community College President Becky Rowley was elated to hear the appropriation was the same amount as House Bill 2, which was rejected by Martinez in the state Legislature’s regular session early this year.

“We prepared our budget based upon that figure, and we were hoping that was what it was going to remain at,” she said. “We heard there was a possibility we could get cut more, so this is good news.”

Eastern New Mexico University President Steven Gamble was also relieved a decision had been made that met his college’s expectations.

“We are grateful that the Legislature and the governor came together to resolve this issue. This is of great benefit to the institution as we go forward,” he said.

While Gamble noted the appropriation solved the current problem, he clarified the road ahead for higher education in New Mexico is a long one.

“For the moment, we have an operational budget for next year, which we think is realistic and we can go forward with. Second of all, I think everyone would agree that we still have financial problems within the state. This resolves the short-term issue, the immediate issue of our funding for fiscal year ’18, but I think there are problems out there that need to be faced for the long term,” he said.

Rowley said that while higher education is safe for now, the financial landscape could always shift.

“I think that it’s gonna be a struggle as long as we’re so dependent upon oil prices. The revenue forecasts right now are pretty healthy, but that can change really quickly, and if it does, then we’ll be in the same situation,” she said.

HB 1, according to a press release by the New Mexico Municipal League, appropriates money from the state’s general fund and other state funds.

The bill includes an additional $19 million for legislative functions, $1.2 million of which will be made to the New Mexico Administrative Office of the Courts to address a shortfall in magistrate court leases.

In a written statement, Martinez said the bill “restrains government to live within our means — as our families do every day — and puts us back on track.”