ELEPHANT BUTTE—Today, the members of the interim Legislative Finance Committee heard a presentation from the Children, Youth, and Families Department (CYFD) regarding the department's latest budget request ahead of the 2025 Legislative Session. The department requested a 6.1% overall increase from its previously approved budget.
Senator Crystal Brantley (R-Elephant Butte), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following statement regarding the requested increase:
"Five budget sessions in a row, the mantra from CYFD remains the same—all plans, no action. The Secretary and this administration have shown no willingness to partner with us on any serious reform or oversight effort yet, they continually show up with their hand out asking for more money from the Legislature. Legislators from every corner of the state are fed up with the lack of collaboration and I hope to see that rectified before pumping more money into this failing agency."