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Office of African American Affairs wins consensus budget approval; LFC and executive aligned
Summary
The subcommittee accepted the executive recommendation for the Office of African American Affairs. LFC and DFA reported no differences and both endorsed the agency's performance measures and a modest $30,000 FY26 request to expand outreach and leasing supports.
The Appropriations & Finance Subcommittee accepted the executive recommendation for the Office of African American Affairs after DFA and LFC analysts reported no substantive differences between the two recommendations and agreement on performance measures.
Kelly Clint introduced the agency's submission and noted that both LFC and the executive agreed on the budget. Director Charles Rito (Rito) described the office’s mission to improve economic, education, health and political outcomes for African American New Mexicans and highlighted statewide outreach and plans to mark the agency’s 25th anniversary at African American Day at the Legislature.
Director Rito said the FY26 request was modest: an additional $30,000 to expand outreach, support travel and lodging for rural engagement, and sustain newly authorized positions and one additional state-leased vehicle to support in-state work. The agency said it will measure education and outreach success through pre- and post-event surveys and post-event reports to quantify impact and inform future programming.
Committee members voiced support for the LFC/executive alignment and asked for follow-up on education-outreach metrics. Representative Luhan moved to accept the executive recommendation and Representative Dixon seconded; there was no objection and the recommendation carried.
Ending: Staff will carry forward the executive recommendation; LFC staff will work with DFA to revisit the agency’s request if further adjustments are warranted during the session.
