Revised expenditure calculation includes funds for acute hospitals, teacher grants | Local news

A revised draft spending that would spend $ 504.5 million in federal coronavirus aid on various projects and programs across the state now includes funds to build and equip an acute hospital in New Mexico.

The amended proposal, unanimously approved by the House Budget and Finance Committee on Friday, calls for $ 50 million to build a new hospital “in a county with fewer than 100,000 residents.” Although there is no county in the legislation, Valencia county is an early contender.

“This is a work in progress; lots of people can get involved,” said MP Patty Lundstrom, D-Gallup, following questions about the new allocation.

“The hospital that caught my eye, which doesn’t mean it is limited to that, is Valencia. I’ll just make that public,” added Lundstrom, chair of the committee.

Another new piece of legislation, known as House Bill 2, includes $ 2 million for a teacher training scholarship program.

“This is a firm commitment for New Mexico teachers, local teachers who are beginning to rise and show them that lawmakers fully support their entry into this critical profession,” said Rep. Nathan Small, D-Las Cruces.

The expense bill would bring together nearly half of the remaining American Rescue Plan Act dollars that New Mexico received. Legislators plan to find out how the remaining funds will be allocated during the regular 30-day session starting next month.

The issuance of federal pandemic aid sparked a political and legal battle between lawmaker and Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, who argued that lawmakers could appropriate state, but not federal, funds.

Last month, the state Supreme Court disagreed after two state senators filed a lawsuit against the governor and ordered federal pandemic aid spending to be frozen until lawmakers approve funds.

Prior to the verdict, the governor’s government confiscated $ 600 million of the $ 1.73 billion the state received without legislative approval.