Special Session to Address Cuts in Federal Assistance

 

Legislators to Gather in Santa Fe on Oct. 1 Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is calling a special session of the New Mexico State Legislature, beginning on Wednesday, Oct. 1, to help address the impact of proposed federal cuts to SNAP, Medicaid and other programs on communities around the state. The federal budget bill (i.e. "Big Beautiful Bill"), which President Trump signed into law on July 4, shifts spending on key programs like SNAP and Medicaid to states.  According to the Lujan Grisham administration, the reduction in federal Medicaid and SNAP funds alone will result in multi-billion-dollar losses annually that threaten household budgets and the survival of New Mexico’s health care system, particularly in rural areas. In the area of food insecurity, the administration would like legislators to consider new investments in food assistance for children, seniors and families in need. Other proposed agenda items would: fund the Rural Health Care Delivery Fund to allow stabilization grants for quality health care providers. take action to make health insurance premiums more affordable in the marketplace and for New Mexicans losing Medicaid coverage. find additional resources to help the Health Care Authority prepare for upcoming Medicaid enrollment changes. fund public broadcasting Stay tuned for more information.  Upcoming Discussion on the Budget We encourage you to attend the following on-line networking and discussion session. Thursday, Sept. 25,  12:30-2:00 PM   Roadrunner Coalition to End Hunger in New Mexico Main Monthly Meeting The discussion will center on the Special Legislative Session on Oct. 1, including the legislative response to proposed cuts in SNAP and other important food programs in New Mexico. Participants will also engage in initial discussions ahead of the NM State Legislature's upcoming 30-day regular session, scheduled for Jan. 20-Feb. 19, 2026. You do not need to register ahead of time. To join, please use this Zoom link  Timeline for Federal Budget Bill New Mexico Voices for Children has put together a useful timeline on the impact of the federal budget bill on New Mexico. Even though some of the more draconian cuts in the bill have been delayed until after the 2026 federal elections, there are some immediate impacts on families and communities in New Mexico. Here are some immediate effects. Expanded SNAP work requirements take effect as soon as the USDA issues formal guidance, and New Mexico will no longer be eligible for waivers based on unemployment rates, except for SNAP participants in Luna County. Impact on New Mexico: 28 counties will become ineligible for work requirement waivers, and 54,000 New Mexicans could lose some or all of their SNAP benefits. Immigrants with protected status (e.g., refugees and asylees) are no longer eligible for SNAP, and those receiving benefits are likely to lose them at their next recertification. Impact on New Mexico: Approximately 2,000 immigrants with lawful status in New Mexico will lose all SNAP benefits. Note: People who are undocumented have never received SNAP. The NMVC timeline offers similar projections for October 2025, January 2026, October 2026, December 2026, January 2027, October 2027, January 2028 and October 2028. See One Big Beautiful Bill Act Implementation Timeline Gallup Pantry Awarded Funding to Add Farming Option in Grants The Community Food Pantry  in Gallup has been awarded funds under Farm to Table's New Mexico Farmer Innovation Program to  expand operations in nearby Grants. Under the plan, the Grants Pantry will move to a new location that will feature a farming operation similar to the one in Gallup, including a greenhouses, community garden, fruit trees, and a bee hive. The new Grants facility would also have enough room for a chile and corn field. Under its  5- to 10-Year Plan, the Community Pantry seeks to becomemuch less reliant on out-of-state growers by expanding local options and educting the public in growing methods ( both traditional and cultural)   The Community Food pantry is one of more than a dozen farming- and food-related operations around the state to receive these micro-grants, which are funded by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). The other recipients are located in Shiprock, Tularosa, Las Cruces, Santa Fe, El Prado, Farmington, Silver City, Fruitland, Los Lunas and Chimayo. Reading Materials Farm to Table New Mexico has released the second issue of Field Notes, featuring articles on USDA reorganization, dairy programs in the Farm Bill and changes to payment limiitation  Green Fire Times has posted its September/October issue featuring articles on Growing a Regional Food System and a details of the state's Food Initiative Upcoming Events Hike with the Rio Grande Food Project Mark your calendars for the Rio Grande Food Project's 10th annual Hike to End Hunger, Saturday, Oct. 18, 10:00 am to 12:30 pm, at Pat Hurley Park Lower Loop, 3828 Rincon Rd. NW. In-person registration opens at 9:30 am. Enjoy a heart-healthy walk and join in the fun on the beautiful lawn at Pat Hurley Park to eat, play, and relax in the gorgeous New Mexico sunshine! Click here to pre-register and to learn about related activities and fundraising/donation opportunities.  Interfaith Dialogue to Examine Climate Crisis The New Mexico Interfaith Dialogue will host an in-person program on Thursday Sept. 18, 7:00 to 8:30 pm, at the Raindrop Foundation Turkish Cultural Center, 7901 Mountain Rd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110. Featured speakers Rev. Clara Sims and Désirée Bernard, both Interfaith Power & Light New Mexico & El Paso leaders, will offer comments and reflections on the topic of  “Climate Change: The Spiritual Crisis of Our Times.”  The event is free and open to the public National Farm to Cafeteria Conference The 10th annual conference will be held at the Albuquerque Convention Center on Dec. 1-4, 2025. Hosted by the National Farm to School Network, with support from New Mexico partners, including Farm to Table, this conference is the premier event for anyone passionate about bringing local food to institutional settings and driving positive change in the food system. Whether you’re a food service professional, farmer, educator, policymaker, entrepreneur, or student, this conference offers invaluable opportunities to network, learn, and share knowledge with others who are shaping the future of food access and sustainability. Unfortunately, registration for scholarships closed on Sept. 1. But if you can afford the price of attending you can Register Here   See program highlights and overview Follow us on BlueSky Interfaith Hunger Coalition (New Mexico)    @ihc-nm.bsky.social