Against the backdrop of a federal government shutdown over a health care spending stalemate, Democratic leaders in New Mexico on Wednesday kicked off what's expected to be a swift special legislative session designed to protect residents from federal safety net cuts.

"While dysfunction in Washington, D.C., grinds the federal government to a complete halt, we are here today to step up for our friends and our neighbors all across the state," said House Speaker Javier Martínez, an Albuquerque Democrat, during a morning news conference before the session began.

The House sent the first measure — a $160 million spending plan aimed at filling expected gaps from federal funding cuts to health care programs, food assistance and public broadcasting — to the Senate late Wednesday following a 43-24

See Full Page