https://www.santafenewmexican.com/opinion/my_view/new-mexico-takes-a-big-leap-toward-modernizing-higher-ed/article_026d04c3-a298-5b38-a46c-1e0f2e9a78ba.html > Bold state leadership is changing the trajectory for students in New Mexico. The overall fiscal year 2020 budget for New Mexico’s higher education institutions is $822 million, a 3 percent increase over last year. This translates into more responsive programming in education, health care and the trades; science, technology, engineering and math; arts and film. Our state’s higher education institutions stand ready to close the gap between people who want jobs and openings in exciting, high-demand career fields. > The New Mexico Legislature passed and Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed into law $112.5 million in new funding that meets critical higher education infrastructure needs. The Santa Fe Community College can build a health science simulation laboratory; New Mexico Highlands University can expand science facilities; New Mexico State University can launch a new agricultural center; and Navajo Technical University can build a trades program facility. These projects are economic drivers, providing construction jobs for New Mexico companies and workers while improving the readiness of our higher education facilities for students.