Federal funding freeze affects New Mexico's food, farms, housing
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A federal funding freeze affecting a broad swath of U.S. programs has left many organizations in limbo, with new fallout coming every day. Court challenges have so far stalled many impacts of the Trump administration's order to end or reduce government grants, loans and other assistance.
Isaiah Torres, statewide policy manager with the state's Center for Civic Policy, says New Mexico is fortunate to have a large Land Grant Permanent Fund and Early Childhood Trust Fund. He believes they give the state some maneuverability others may not have.
"Not relying so much on general-fund revenue - in categories such as education and health care - to allow us to make strategic decisions moving forward," he explained.
New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez joined a lawsuit with 22 other states to block Trump's order, which claims the president doesn't have the authority under the U.S. Constitution to take money away from the targeted programs. The White House said the freeze would give the administration time to review each agency program to determine the best use of funding.
Alissa Barnes, executive director with Progress Now New Mexico, says the freeze is nonetheless creating chaos and uncertainty. And not every program that receives federal funding is likely to get a reprieve.
"It is all encompassing for how New Mexico is able to support New Mexicans. And a lot of the dollars that the state puts up in their general allocation also relies on matching funds or grants from the federal government," she explained.
Barnes previously worked for the state's Roadrunner Food Bank - one of thousands across the country already affected by the government's halt in shipments of produce, poultry and other items distributed to needy residents.
"Not knowing if money is going to stop, not knowing when it might stop - not knowing any of those details makes it really hard to not only plan but to continue providing direct services," she continued.
Infrastructure projects funded by the Biden administration also are in jeopardy. New Mexico was awarded $156 million in grants last year for solar projects to help low-income, disadvantaged and tribal communities decrease energy costs by reducing household electric bills. Without federal funding, many won't go forward.
