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Funding Recovery
More than a billion dollars from opioid lawsuit settlements are heading to New Mexico. Making sure the money is spent the way it is intended is critical.
Opioids have taken a heavy toll on our state, exacting long-term economic and social damage. As a newly elected city councilor in Española in the early 2000s, I was taken aback when our police department became the first in the country to train officers in intravenous administration of Narcan. Later, as mayor of Española, I witnessed as more lethal opioids became even more readily available in pill form. This epidemic is also personal to me, as I’ve lost friends and family members.
These settlements give local stakeholders the ability to devise strategies based on their circumstances, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. New Mexico’s leaders must act swiftly and collaboratively in developing a strategy to utilize funds.
My office is tasked with ensuring funds are used for their intended purpose. If an audit reveals any misappropriation, that will preclude the local government from further distributions until funds are replaced.
The scale of these settlements underscores the urgency of the crisis. As New Mexico’s chief financial watchdog, I embrace that urgency in making sure every dollar is spent to heal wounds inflicted by the greed-fueled flood of opioids into our communities.
Joseph Maestas, State Auditor
Morning Word, July 7: “State Supreme Court Rejects PNM Appeal Over Power Plant”
Planting obstacles?
Wow. It seems to me that PNM is trying, in all the best ways possible, to move us forward into renewable energy use and away from using coal, and they get blocked at every turn.
I really hope New Energy Economy isn’t behind this latest setback.
Terrye Mola, via Facebook
