Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham announced a one-day special session for Nov. 10 to extend state-funded food benefits as the federal government shutdown has resulted in a suspension of SNAP benefits. The administration moved quickly to approve an emergency allocation of $30 million to bridge benefits through Nov. 10 while lawmakers convene to pass an extension, an action described by state officials as focused on preventing hunger among vulnerable families, children and seniors statewide, including McKinley County.

Acting Governor Howie Morales will preside over the Nov. 10 session while Governor Lujan Grisham is overseas attending the U.N. climate conference. The timing highlights the state’s effort to coordinate rapid legislative and executive responses to a federal funding disruption even as top officials participate in international obligations.

The emergency $30 million allocation is intended as a stopgap to maintain food assistance in the short term. Lawmakers will use the special session to consider measures that would allow the state to continue funding food benefits if the federal shutdown—and the suspension of SNAP payments—persists beyond the interim funding window. The administration frames the steps as an attempt to avert immediate food insecurity for residents who rely on nutrition assistance.

For McKinley County residents, the developments carry direct local significance. The temporary state funding aims to keep benefits flowing to families, seniors and children who would otherwise face the sudden loss of federal SNAP support. Community organizations and service providers that distribute food and coordinate assistance locally will be watching for final legislative action and guidance on implementation, including how and when state-funded benefits will be issued and any eligibility or administrative changes that may accompany the extension.

While the one-day session and emergency allocation provide a short-term solution, the outcome leaves open the question of longer-term coverage if the federal shutdown continues. Residents dependent on food assistance and those who support them in schools, healthcare, and social services will need clear information from state agencies and county offices about the next steps and timelines.

The governor’s absence to attend the U.N. climate conference underscores the often concurrent demands of state leadership on both international and domestic fronts. For McKinley County, the immediate priority will be ensuring uninterrupted food access through the Nov. 10 measures and monitoring whether further state or federal action will be required to sustain benefits beyond that date. Local officials and nonprofits are expected to coordinate with state agencies to implement the extension and to communicate with residents about how to access continued support.