HB177 established the "New Mexico Match Fund," a non-reverting fund within the state treasury. Administered by the Department of Finance and Administration, this fund is designed to provide matching funds to state, tribal, and local entities, enabling them to qualify for federal grants and programs that require such matches. The initiative aims to enhance the state's ability to secure federal funding for infrastructure, research, and economic-development projects.
The New Mexico State Senate passed HB177 on February 13, 2024 by a vote of 37 to 0. We have assigned pluses to the nays because New Mexico should not create a fund that effectively will surrender state sovereignty to the federal government. Federal funds always come with strings attached, leading to expanded government control and the erosion of state and local decision-making.
