New Mexico's shocking plan to recycle fracking water and address mental health crisis

New Mexico introduced a new budget proposal to increase state spending by approximately $720 million, raising the total to $10.9 billion for the fiscal year that spans from July 2025 through June 2026. This represents a roughly 7% increase aimed at enhancing various critical areas such as early childhood education, drug addiction treatment, and mental health care amidst rising concerns about crime related to these issues. The proposal seeks to balance the state's budget given the strong dependence on oil revenues, anticipating fluctuations as local oil production stabilizes. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham's plan includes an increase of general fund spending on public K-12 education by 3%, amounting to $4.6 billion. This funding aims to address new pressures faced by public schools which include extending school calendars to improve academic performance despite declining enrollment. The strategy also incorporates additional funding for free school meals and initiatives focused on literacy such as tutoring and summer reading programs, showcasing a comprehensive approach to bolster educational support. Under this proposed budget, a significant portion is directed towards solving water scarcity issues, with $200 million designated for this purpose. Lujan Grisham is advocating for $75 million to develop technologies that purify and recycle polluted water produced by oil and gas activities, reflecting the interconnectedness of environmental and economic considerations. The administration underscores the urgency of finding solutions for safe water treatment while also facing some criticism from environmental advocates regarding the implications of such initiatives. To further allocate resources, the budget puts forth plans for pay raises totaling $172 million for state government and public school employees. In addition, there is a proposal to allocate over $90 million to support Native American communities, aiding their educational programs, which may include efforts to preserve indigenous languages. Finally, $70 million are earmarked for expanding internet access in remote rural areas, which is seen as essential for economic development in those communities. As the state approaches the legislative session set to begin on January 21, 2025, the proposals will be vetted, with negotiations expected to follow.