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After 2022 wildfires, N.M. governor proposes elite firefighter corp

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham also aims to create a $75 million fund to address the causes of water scarcity and climate change

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New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham delivered her State of the State address Tuesday.

Photo/Andres Leighton/Associated Press

By Leila Merrill
FireRescue1

SANTA FE, N.M. — In her state of the state address Tuesday, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham called for funding to establish a New Mexico-based corps of elite smokejumper firefighters who can rapidly respond.

The state has a multibillion-dollar budget surplus and is in the aftermath of what the Associated Press described as “catastrophic 2022 wildfires.”

The governor also proposed the creation of a $75 million trust fund to address the underlying causes of water scarcity and climate change.

AP23017847753139.jpg

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham delivered her State of the State address Tuesday.

Photo/Andres Leighton/Associated Press

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