Michelle Lujan-Grisham in 2023 Governor's State of the State speeches

On Budget & Economy: Infrastructure brings jobs and opportunity to our state

Infrastructure brings jobs and opportunity to the people of our state. I'm calling for $128 million in water infrastructure improvements, $146 million in statewide broadband expansion, and updates to the New Mexico Film Tax Credit so we can attract even more businesses and redouble our investments in critical workforce development and job training programs. New Mexicans are the best workers in the country, and we are creating the conditions that bring them lifelong careers. Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the N.M. legislature Jan 19, 2023

On Crime: Keep high-risk violent offenders behind bars before trial

We will not relent from our commitment to establish a "rebuttable presumption" to make sure that high-risk violent offenders stay behind bars before trial. We'll tackle organized crime and the criminals who fund it through retail and commercial theft, smashing the syndicates that are terrorizing our business community. And we will continue to expand our police force to make sure our law enforcement has the personnel, training and tools to serve our neighborhoods effectively. Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the N.M. legislature Jan 19, 2023

On Education: College enrollment has increased for first time in a decade

Since we created tuition-free college, New Mexico college enrollment has increased for the first time in over a decade, and the number of first-time, full-time students has grown by nearly 10 percent--the second-highest college enrollment gain of any state in the country. In some cases, grandparents, parents and their kids are all going to college at the same time--generating new possibilities and a new sense of promise for what we can achieve together. Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the N.M. legislature Jan 19, 2023

On Education: New constitutional right to early childhood education

As our highly successful Early Childhood Trust Fund grows--and with our new nation-leading constitutional right to early childhood education-- we will provide child care and early education for each and every one of our families by investing more than half a billion dollars in targeted funding. Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the N.M. legislature Jan 19, 2023

On Energy & Oil: Codify our zero-emissions goal in state statute

We will take another step in our sustainability efforts by codifying our zero-emissions goal in state statute because there should be no question that New Mexico is committed to a cleaner, healthier future. We intend to design and implement a range of projects and initiatives to achieve that objective. We will take on this challenge the same way we have approached others: with creativity, with tenacity, and with the bold and innovative spirit that has always driven us forward. Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the N.M. legislature Jan 19, 2023

On Families & Children: Healthy, universal and free meals for every student

I'm calling for healthy, universal and free meals for every student in New Mexico, along with an additional $20 million investment in school kitchens so they can offer the fresh and nutritious foods our kids need to thrive. We're calling the program Kids' Kitchens, and wherever kids are, there ought to be a kitchen working to keep them healthy, strong and ready to learn. With this program, New Mexico is literally providing food for thought. Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the N.M. legislature Jan 19, 2023

On Gun Control: Ban assault weapons; civil suits against manufacturers

That is why I am calling for a ban on assault weapons. I am calling for an end to the state loophole on straw purchases of guns because people with a history of violence should not be able to get a firearm. I am calling for safe storage reforms that impose penalties on anyone who fails to secure an unattended firearm and leaves it accessible to an unsupervised minor. And I am calling for legislation that would allow victims of gun violence to bring civil suits against firearm manufacturers. Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the N.M. legislature Jan 19, 2023

On Health Care: Expanding Medicaid will lead to universal health care state

Right now, New Mexico is the only state where more than half the population is on Medicaid, including 80% of children. Expanding Medicaid coverage offers us a chance to revolutionize care and become a universal health care state. And that's exactly what we intend to do, building a healthier, longer living, more prosperous New Mexico where we can live for our dreams and decrease the fear and hardship of untreated chronic conditions in the process. Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the N.M. legislature Jan 19, 2023

On Tax Reform: Tax cuts for middle class, make system more progressive

In my budget priorities, I am asking for $1 billion in economic relief including rebates of $750 to each individual taxpayer or $1,500 to couples to help more New Mexicans afford the things they need right now. I am proposing a tax reform package intended to support New Mexico's working families and businesses cutting our gross receipts tax rate again to help consumers save money; and delivering personal income tax cuts for middle class New Mexicans by making our system more progressive. Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the N.M. legislature Jan 19, 2023

On Welfare & Poverty: $100M for housing programs, we need thousands more homes

I am requesting over $100 million for housing programs, including mobile homelessness response teams that serve unhoused residents; eviction protection that keeps families in place; down payment assistance that helps people start a new chapter and begin to build equity; and investments in the Mortgage Finance Authority, which are matched exponentially by federal funding. We need thousands more homes--so let's build them. Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the N.M. legislature Jan 19, 2023

The above quotations are from 2023 Governor's State of the State speeches. Click here for other excerpts from 2023 Governor's State of the State speeches. Click here for other excerpts by Michelle Lujan-Grisham. Click here for other excerpts by other Governors.
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Page last updated: Apr 02, 2023