Thu Sep 18 10:20:00 UTC 2025: **Summary:**
New Mexico is set to become the first state in the U.S. to offer universal, free childcare to all residents, regardless of income, beginning in November. This initiative, spearheaded by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, aims to alleviate financial burdens on families, support the economy, and ensure all children have the opportunity to thrive. Funding comes from the state’s Early Childhood Education and Care Department budget, bolstered by tax revenues from the oil and gas industries. The program also includes provisions for improving childcare facilities and increasing wages for childcare staff. While praised by some, including the Mescalero Apache Tribe, the initiative has faced criticism from some Republicans who believe childcare assistance should be targeted toward at-risk children.
**News Article:**
**New Mexico to Launch Universal Free Childcare Program**
**Santa Fe, NM** – In a groundbreaking move, New Mexico is poised to become the first state in the nation to offer free childcare to all residents, regardless of income. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham announced this week that the program will launch in November and is projected to save families an average of $12,000 per child annually.
The initiative builds on the state’s efforts since 2019 to reduce childcare costs and expands eligibility for universal childcare. This latest development removes all income requirements and family copayments from the state’s childcare assistance program.
“Child care is essential to family stability, workforce participation and New Mexico’s future prosperity,” said Lujan Grisham. “By investing in universal child care, we are giving families financial relief, supporting our economy, and ensuring that every child has the opportunity to grow and thrive.”
The program is funded, in part, by the state’s Early Childhood Education and Care Department, which received a budget increase of $113 million, and a dedicated fund established in 2020 and bolstered by tax revenue from the oil and gas industries. Lujan Grisham will also seek an additional $120 million in state funding next year.
Beyond providing free care, the initiative also includes a $13 million loan fund to help construct and expand childcare facilities, a recruitment campaign for home-based providers, and incentives for programs to pay staff a minimum of $18 an hour. The state hopes to create 55 new childcare centers and 1,120 home-based childcare options.
While many applaud the initiative, including Thora Walsh Padilla, the president of the Mescalero Apache Tribe, who said it addresses critical needs for their community, the program has drawn some criticism. Republican State Representative Rebecca Dow told the Albuquerque Journal she believes childcare vouchers should be reserved for children most at risk for child abuse and neglect.
Despite some opposition, New Mexico’s universal childcare program marks a significant step towards making childcare more accessible and affordable for all families in the state.
*By [Author Name]* for The 19th.
First Piper 