Policy analysts at the New Mexico Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) want legislators to adopt policies based on hard data. But it is sometimes a challenge for numbers to win out over a constituent’s compelling personal story. Deputy Director Charles Sallee offered this observation to the September 12th MPP Policy Seminar in a talk about the LFC’s “Legislating for Results” initiative. The initiative promotes evidence-based programs and emphasizes accountability. According to Mr. Sallee, the goal is “evidence-based and purposeful investment choices” for the state. Mr. Sallee also noted that New Mexico is “way out ahead” of other states in implementing this promising framework.

LFC staff members perform a variety of duties related to the annual state budget, fiscal impacts of proposed legislation, and program evaluation of state-funded programs. The LFC holds a permanent seat on the MPP’s Community Advisory Board, and the MPP program hopes to serve as a pipeline for supplying the Committee with well-trained graduates. A student from the MPP’s first cohort interned at the LFC over the summer, and several second cohort students are hoping to do the same.

For more information related to the Legislating for Results initiative, go to https://www.nmlegis.gov/Entity/LFC/Evaluation_Unit_Reports .