New Mexico made national headlines last year with Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s announcement that it would be the first state in the country to offer child care to all families at no cost. Elizabeth Groginsky, secretary of the state Early Childhood Education and Care Department, was at the governor’s side during the news conference and has been a key figure in the landmark initiative.

In the latest episode of the “Around the Roundhouse” podcast, Groginsky joins Santa Fe New Mexican state politics reporter Daniel J. Chacón to discuss the progress of the program since the September announcement, the national recognition the initiative has received and the challenges ahead.

The governor’s push to remove all income limits to the child care assistance program is one of the most discussed issues during the current 30-day legislative session as lawmakers hash out a budget for the coming fiscal year. Groginsky speaks on her department’s desire for fully funding the program and on concerns regarding child care provider capacity.

To learn more about applying for universal child care and to access a child care finder, visit https://www.nmececd.org/child-care-assistance/.

New Mexico made national headlines last year with Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham&rsquo;s announcement that it would be the first state in the country to offer child care to all families at no cost. Elizabeth Groginsky, secretary of the state Early Childhood Education and Care Department, was at the governor&rsquo;s side during the news conference and has been a key figure in the landmark initiative.
In the latest episode of the &ldquo;Around the Roundhouse&rdquo; podcast, Groginsky joins&nbsp;Santa Fe New Mexican&nbsp;state politics reporter Daniel J. Chac&oacute;n to discuss the progress of the program since the September announcement, the national recognition the initiative has received and the challenges ahead.
The governor&rsquo;s push to remove all income limits to the child care assistance program is one of the most discussed issues during the current 30-day legislative session as lawmakers hash out a budget for the coming fiscal year. Groginsky speaks on her department&rsquo;s desire for fully funding the program and on concerns regarding child care provider capacity.
To learn more about applying for universal child care and to access a child care finder, visit https://www.nmececd.org/child-care-assistance/.

The Santa Fe New Mexican’s weekly podcast hosted by state government and lead politics reporter Daniel J. Chacón features the policies, politics and personalities at the state Capitol during New Mexico's 2025 legislative session.

The Santa Fe New Mexican&rsquo;s weekly podcast hosted by state government and lead politics reporter Daniel J. Chac&oacute;n features the policies, politics and personalities at the state Capitol during New Mexico's 2025 legislative session.

Around the Roundhouse

The Santa Fe New Mexican&rsquo;s weekly podcast hosted by state government and lead politics reporter Daniel J. Chac&oacute;n features the policies, politics and personalities at the state Capitol during New Mexico's 2025 legislative session.