The New Mexico Legislature's Democratic leaders are "laser focused" on minimizing the impacts of federal cuts on families, House Speaker Javier Martínez said at Wednesday morning news conference in the Roundhouse.

"While dysfunction in Washington, D.C., grinds the federal government to a complete halt," Martínez said just ahead of the start of a special legislative session — referring to the federal government shutdown that began Wednesday — "we are here today to step up for our friends and our neighbors all across the state."

The cuts will "hit New Mexican families the hardest and the fastest," he added.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham called the special session at noon Wednesday in large part to soften the effects of federal safety net funding cuts on vulnerable New Mexicans.

Democra

See Full Page