Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced Thursday she will convene a special legislative session beginning Oct. 1 to address what she described as severe federal budget cuts that threaten essential services across New Mexico.

The Democratic governor said the session aims to protect state programs from reductions stemming from federal legislation signed by President Donald Trump in July.

“New Mexicans should not be forced to shoulder these heavy burdens without help from their elected officials,” Lujan Grisham said in a statement. “After discussions with legislative leaders, we’ve resolved to do everything possible to protect essential services and minimize the damage from President Trump’s disastrous bill.”

The legislation referenced, H.R.1, which Trump signed July 4, is expected to reduce state revenues and shift federal costs to states, according to the governor’s office. Officials estimate the reduction in federal Medicaid and SNAP funding alone will result in multi-billion-dollar annual losses.

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