The latest twist in battle over “paid leave”
With just over a week left in the 2025 legislative session the revised version of HB 11 (formerly Paid Family Leave) had an unusual vetting from the Senate Finance Committee. You can find the Santa Fe New Mexican’s report (including a quote from RGF) and the ABQ Journal version here.
The Finance Committee should be applauded for taking a closer look at the plan’s solvency. This is an issue we have highlighted as well. As the analyst noted, “the “biggest issue” with the welcome child benefit is “the bill doesn’t specify a source of funding.”
With about 21,500 babies born in New Mexico annually and a $9,000 rebate per child, the total potential cost is $193.5 million.
“That benefit is probably going to depend on legislative appropriations in the future, presumably from the general fund.”
There are also real questions about the numbers in the proposed bill and whether they add up. In other words, it was a worthwhile discussion that shined some light on this ill conceived proposal.
What will the Finance Committee do? The bill awaits a hearing. If it passes Finance “as-is” it will likely fly through the Senate to final passage and on to the Gov.’s desk. Her signature is NOT guaranteed. Or, the Finance Committee will kill it for the session or revise it (it will be hard to pass a revised bill with so little time left).
Hopefully the Finance Committee does their job and rejects this deeply flawed plan.
