Judge considers arguments in challenge to New Mexico’s universal childcare program
Plaintiffs say the expansion was launched without legislative approval, and state analysts have raised concerns after enrollment grew faster than expected.
- District Judge Elaine Lujan could issue a ruling Thursday on whether a lawsuit challenging New Mexico's universal childcare program can proceed, brought by former Republican gubernatorial candidate Duke Rodriguez.
- Plaintiffs allege Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham launched the program expansion unlawfully by eliminating income caps before legislative approval. The state's childcare agency disputes this, arguing lawmakers later "expressly authorized" and funded the program.
- Financed largely by oil and gas revenue, New Mexico's program waives daycare costs for families earning up to 400% of the federal poverty rate, or roughly $132,000 annually, positioning it among the nation's most generous childcare models.
- Albuquerque daycare provider Ilene Harding reports the expansion has boosted enrollment and streamlined billing, yet some providers express concerns that proposed rule changes may not work for all businesses.
- Legislative analysts previously raised concerns about potential overspending, while New Mexico aims to cement its status as the first state to cover all working families' daycare bills despite sustainability questions.
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33 Articles
The Record
Judge considers arguments in challenge to New Mexico’s universal childcare program
By SAVANNAH PETERS ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A New Mexico judge is scheduled Thursday to consider arguments in a challenge to the state’s fledgling universal childcare program, an ambitious and closely watched effort to eliminate daycare costs for all working families. A lawsuit brought by former Republican gubernatorial candidate Duke Rodriguez and other plaintiffs challenges the process used by Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s administr…
New Mexico's universal free childcare program heads to court
@keyframes spin { 0% { transform:rotate(0deg); } 100% { transform:rotate(360deg); } } Judge to address New Mexico’s universal child care programThe lawsuit that brought this to court argues the program implementation was unlawful. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A judge is scheduled to hear arguments in a lawsuit over New Mexico’s first-of-its-kind universal free childcare program Thursday. Former Republican gubernatorial candidate Duke Rodriguez is behind …
Associated Press News
Judge considers arguments in challenge to New Mexico's universal childcare program
It is up to a New Mexico judge to settle a challenge over the legality of New Mexico’s fledgling universal childcare program, an ambitious and closely watched effort to eliminate daycare costs for all working families.
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