New Mexico Lawmakers Poised to Approve Universal Child Care Bill

The 30-day legislative session is nearing its end, with the universal free child care initiative appearing to be finalized.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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As the New Mexico legislative session concludes this Thursday, lawmakers are poised to approve a bill that would establish a universal free child care program in the state. The House Appropriations and Finance Committee has approved a Senate bill that includes provisions like co-payments for high-income families during economic emergencies and funding for wage increases. Governor Lujan Grisham has emphasized universal free child care as a top priority, and the $11.1 billion state budget proposal is crucial for these plans, though debate continues over Senate changes, including the removal of a 1% pay raise for public employees.

Why it matters

The passage of this universal child care bill would be a significant achievement for New Mexico, providing free access to child care for all families in the state. This could have a major impact on working parents, particularly low-income families, by reducing the financial burden of child care and enabling more parents to enter the workforce. The bill's focus on wage increases for child care workers also aims to address longstanding issues of low pay and high turnover in the industry.

The details

The universal child care bill includes provisions like co-payments for high-income families during economic emergencies and funding for wage increases for child care workers. The $11.1 billion state budget proposal is crucial for funding these plans, but debate continues over Senate changes, including the removal of a 1% pay raise for public employees, which includes teachers.

  • The 30-day legislative session concludes this Thursday at noon.
  • The House Appropriations and Finance Committee has approved a Senate bill, solidifying the state's child care assistance program into law.

The players

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham

The governor of New Mexico who has emphasized universal free child care as a top priority.

Rep. Meredith Dixon

The vice chair of the House Appropriations & Finance Committee, who stated that the committee worked to finalize the details of the universal child care bill.

Sen. George Muñoz

The chair of the Senate Finance Committee, who discussed the state budget proposal and the removal of a 1% pay raise for public employees.

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What they’re saying

“We started the session knowing that it was an important objective for the governor and that we all supported it. It took a couple weeks to work out the details, but I think we got there.”

— Rep. Meredith Dixon, Vice Chair, House Appropriations & Finance Committee (kob.com)

“It went to fund a majority of every other programs that needed to be funded.”

— Sen. George Muñoz, Chair, Senate Finance Committee (kob.com)

“I think that there was a bit of concern and dismay when we learned about that change. So we'll be looking into what our options are.”

— Rep. Meredith Dixon, Vice Chair, House Appropriations & Finance Committee (kob.com)

What’s next

The House lawmakers are reviewing Senate changes to the $11.1 billion state budget proposal, including the removal of a 1% pay raise for public employees, which includes teachers. The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

The passage of this universal child care bill would be a significant achievement for New Mexico, providing free access to child care for all families in the state and addressing longstanding issues of low pay and high turnover in the child care industry. However, the debate over the state budget proposal, including the removal of a pay raise for public employees, highlights the ongoing challenges in securing the necessary funding for these ambitious policy goals.