Cathrynn Brown

Lawmakers in the New Mexico House of Representatives Monday passed a $10.8 billion state budget proposal months in the making. If enacted, it would be the largest in state history, marking a nearly 6% increase over last year’s record-breaking budget.

In the last legislative session, no reforms were made to oil and gas regulations despite bills to impose fines for oil spills, limit fresh water use and create buffers around schools. Looking forward to next year's session, the Legislative Finance Committee met in oil-rich southeastern New Mexico Tuesday to discuss reintroducing one of those failed proposals — setbacks for wells.