New report scrutinizes NM disaster spending, which continues for years without legislative approval

A Legislative Finance Committee report released June 16, 2026, says the New Mexico Legislature should take additional steps to rein in executive spending on disasters.

By: Patrick Lohmann

Outlets: Source New Mexico

Published: June 17, 2026

Words: 563

Last Updated: 1 month, 1 week ago

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The New Mexico Legislative Finance Committee released a new report Tuesday on an issue that has caused tension between majority Democratic lawmakers and the Democratic governor in recent years: Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s increasing use of emergency orders.

Between 2023 and 2026, Lujan Grisham issued 811 executive orders that enabled the executive branch to spend nearly $554 million, all without the Legislature’s approval, on natural disasters like fires and floods, but also on emergency …

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