New Mexico governor signs bills to counter federal cuts, support health care and food assistance

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed a package of bills Friday aimed at shoring up food assistance, rural health care and public broadcasting in response to recently enacted federal cuts.

The new legislation responds to President Donald Trump's big bill as well as fear that health insurance rates will rise with the expiration of COVID-era subsidies to the Affordable Care Act exchange in New Mexico. Exchange subsidies are a major point of contention in the Washington budget standoff and related federal government shutdown.

New Mexico would set aside $17 million to backfill the federal credits if they are not renewed, under legislation signed by the governor.

The Democratic-led Legislature met on Wednesday and Thursday to approved $162 million in state spending on rural health care, food assistance, restocking food banks, public broadcast and more.

Starting this year, New Mexico expects to lose about $200 million annually because of new federal tax cuts. But the state still has a large budget surplus thanks to booming oil production.

“When federal support falls short, New Mexico steps up,” Lujan Grisham said in a statement.

Many federal health care changes under Trump's big bill don’t kick in until 2027 or later, and Democratic legislators in New Mexico acknowledged that their bills are only a temporary bandage.

FILE - Democratic New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham speaks at a news conference, March 22, 2025, in Santa Fe, N.M. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee, File)

Democratic state House Speaker Javier Martínez, of Albuquerque, N.M., takes his seat at the opening of a special legislative session about proposals to shore up safety net spending in response to President Donald Trump's recent cuts, Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee)

Democratic state House Speaker Javier Martínez, center back, of Albuquerque, N.M., takes his seat at the opening of a special legislative session about proposals to shore up safety net spending in response to President Donald Trump's recent cuts, Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee)

New Mexico Republican state Senate Minority Leader Bill Sharer of Farmington, N.M., speaks at the opening of a special legislative session in Santa Fe, N.M., Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee)

PARIS (AP) — Lens remained atop Ligue 1 after Florian Thauvin proved decisive once again, scoring the opening goal in a 2-1 win at Nantes on Saturday.

Defending champion Paris Saint-Germain stayed one point behind after thrashing Rennes 5-0 at Parc des Princes.

Wesley Saïd scored the winner in the 81st minute as Lens extended its winning streak to five matches. Youssef El-Arabi leveled the scoring for the host.

Lens moved to the top of the standings for the first time in 21 years last weekend after Thauvin's brace in a 2-1 win at Angers. The 2018 World Cup winner is enjoying a revival since his return to the league from Italian side Udinese this summer.

The 32-year-old winger has five goals and two assists in 15 league matches. His performances have earned him a recall from France following a six-year absence.

After suffering its second Ligue 1 loss of the season at Monaco, PSG rebounded in style at Rennes' expense ahead of next week's Champions League trip to Athletic Bilbao.

PSG initially struggled to find space in the five-man Rennes defense and the visitor had the first big chance. Goalkeeper Matveï Safonov kept PSG afloat, stretching to tip Esteban Lepaul’s shot onto the post.

PSG broke the deadlock seconds later on the break with a slick move concluded by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. The Georgia winger scored twice, adding another in the second half after Senny Mayulu doubled PSG's lead.

Ibrahim Mbaye, who is just 17, made it 4-0 in the 88th minute with the goal of the night — a superb strike from outside the box into the top corner. Gonçalo Ramos capped the win in added time.

In Nantes, Lens dominated early and Thauvin put the visitors ahead in the 34th minute with a header from Ruben Aguilar's excellent cross.

Lens could not hold onto its lead for long, though, as Matthis Abline was fouled in the box, giving El-Arabi the chance to level from the spot. Goalkeeper Robin Risser parried away his effort but the 38-year-old forward scored from the rebound.

Lens pushed hard toward the end and finally broke the stalemate when Saïd cut a cross from Matthieu Udol to bag his sixth league goal.

Marseille lags five points behind Lens in third place after losing to Lille 1-0 on Friday. Fourth-placed Lille tied third-placed Marseille on points in the table.

Brazilian striker Emersonn scored the only goal as Toulouse ended a six-match winless run and prevailed against Strasbourg in their mid-table clash. The win lifted Toulouse to ninth place, two points behind Strasbourg.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

PSG's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the French League One soccer match between Paris and Rennes in Paris, France, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

PSG's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, center, challenges for the ball with Rennes' Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal, left, and Rennes' Przemyslaw Frankowski, right, during the French League One soccer match between Paris and Rennes in Paris, France, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

PSG's Senny Mayulu, center, celebrates after scoring his side' second goal during the French League One soccer match between Paris and Rennes in Paris, France, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

PSG's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the French League One soccer match between Paris and Rennes in Paris, France, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)