LFC outlines interim work plans with a focus on oversight of nonrecurring spending and approves operating budget and contracts

John Courtney, deputy director, presented the Legislative Finance Committee's draft interim work plans at the April meeting, describing a roughly 60‑page package covering economists' work on fiscal solvency, public education and learning‑time reviews, health and communities (including Medicaid cost drivers and CYFD child‑welfare oversight), natural resources and water funding, capital outlay, IT/cybersecurity, and program evaluation projects. Courtney said the plans increase emphasis on oversight and accountability for nonrecurring appropriations and GROW investments and invited members to provide feedback before a May adoption.

Dr. Rachel Garcia summarized the program evaluation team's current projects (SNAP administration, learning time evaluation and emergency orders) and noted an interactive dashboard and a list of potential next priorities in a separate "parking lot" section.

On action items, the committee approved the January meeting minutes (moved by Senator Gonzales; second by Representative Chatfield) and unanimously approved a slate of contracts for staff development, temporary economist support, cost‑estimator services, and analytic subscriptions following brief discussion. The committee then adopted the LFC operating budget to be submitted May 1 (motion from Senator Gonzales; second from Representative Dixon) and approved a tentative interim calendar (including Albuquerque, Ruidoso, Red River, Shiprock/Farmington, Las Cruces and Santa Fe) intended to support community site visits and joint meetings with LESC.

Staff flagged additional informational items: a cash‑balance crosswalk to surface funds not yet visible in shared reports, an online dashboard for risk management payments and BAR status, and an auditor's office risk alert to agencies not to overspend their budgets. Committee members requested further follow‑up on sunset analyses for boards and commissions and insisted on receiving the work‑plan documents for offline comment.