New Mexico Governor approves $100 million in flood and fire recovery funds

(The Center Square) – New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed House Bill 1 into law this week.The bill appropriates $100 million to support recovery efforts following the South Fork and Salt fires, plus ongoing flooding. “The legislature’s failure to prioritize public safety for New Mexicans during the special session is deeply disappointing,” Lujan Grisham said in a statement. “However, I am relieved that we managed to secure aid for critical recovery efforts in communities damaged by fire and flooding.” Here is a breakdown of how the state will spend that money, according to the release:$10 million for the Mescalero Apache Tribal government to utilize for damages or losses. $10 million for the Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department to utilize for damages from fires, flooding, and debris flow, and for mitigation efforts in the impacted areas. $10 million for the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management to assist residents as they apply for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and submit insurance claims. $70 million for zero-interest reimbursable loans to local governments to kick-start funding for public infrastructure projects that have been approved for federal public assistance. Governor Lujan Grisham issued some line-item vetoes when signing the bill to ax the state Board of Finance’s role in administering the $70 million loan program. It also gave this responsibility to the Local Government Division of the Department of Finance and Administration. “The Local Government Division has successfully managed similar loan programs and is better positioned to expeditiously administer such a large loan program,” a release said.