[1] NOTE: As provided in LFC policy, this report is intended only for use by the standing finance committees of the legislature. The Legislative Finance Committee does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of the information in this report when used in any other situation.

Only the most recent FIR version (in HTML & Adobe PDF formats) is available on the Legislative Website. The Adobe PDF version includes all attachments, whereas the HTML version does not. Previously issued FIRs and attachments may be obtained from the LFC’s office in Suite 101 of the State Capitol Building North.

F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T

SPONSOR:	Martinez		DATE TYPED:	01/29/02		HB
SHORT TITLE:		Rio Arriba Youth Life Skills Training				SB	240
					ANALYST:		Dunbar

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained

Estimated Additional Impact

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY02

FY03

FY02

FY03

$200.0

Recurring

Tobacco Settlement Fund

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Responses Received

Children Youth and Families Department (CYFD)

State Department of Education (SDE)

Health Policy Commission (HPC)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Bill 240 appropriates $200.0 from the tobacco settlement fund to the CYFD to provide programs in Rio Arriba County to develop self-esteem in youth and provide training to teach life skills.

Significant Issues

CYFD indicates that the department currently contracts for similar services in Rio Arriba County. The bill is not clear as to whether CYFD can contract for such services.

To take advantage of an existing program, the appropriation could be included with the SDE New Mexico Works/TANF School Age Program.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $200.0 contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY 03 shall revert to the general fund.

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

HPC reports that:

Rio Arriba County’s youth population resides in an area with numerous social and economic problems.
According to the US Census Bureau, approximately 30% of all Rio Arriba County children live below the poverty level.
Per capita personal income for Rio Arriba County was $15,272 in 1999, as compared to New Mexico’s average of $21,836.
Rio Arriba County’s unemployment rate contributes to poverty in the region with 7.8% (1,606) of the labor force unemployed in November 2001. New Mexico’s statewide unemployment rate for the same period was 5.7%.
Many of Rio Arriba County residents are employed in Los Alamos and Santa Fe. Travel and work hours result in some children being unsupervised after school. Community activities may occupy children and promote positive lifestyles.
Rio Arriba County has a drug problem that contributes to the highest per capita overdose rate in the US, with 35 drug related deaths per 100,000 residents.
The erosion of culture in Rio Arriba County is considered a possible factor in the high drug use and alcohol use in the county, which in turn may contribute to the low self- esteem of residents in the county.

POSSIBLE QUESTIONS

1. Is TANF funding being used to help some of these individuals with life skills training?

2. How many youths have received self-esteem training through CYFD?

BD/ar