Governor criticizes AG, lawmakers over child welfare oversight

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed a new law on Friday to create an oversight office in the New Mexico Department of Justice. This office will review issues at the child welfare agency known as CYFD. However, the governor criticized Attorney General Raúl Torrez and the Legislature for their roles in crafting the law. The governor's office had warned against the bill, suggesting it was not the right solution. In her message after signing the bill, Lujan Grisham called the original draft “weaponized” to intimidate CYFD workers. She accused the legislature and the Attorney General of having personal motives rather than focusing on protecting children. Torrez's office responded, expressing disappointment that the governor’s statement focused on her grievances. "The focus should be on the children," said spokesperson Lauren Rodriguez. She emphasized the need for reform in how the state addresses child neglect and abuse. Concerns have also been raised by CYFD Cabinet Secretary Teresa Casados. She warned that the new office could lead to conflicts of interest, especially if it identified problems within CYFD that might result in lawsuits. Supporters of the bill believe these concerns can be managed, as the Department of Justice can hire outside lawyers for such cases. Despite the law being passed, Lujan Grisham is troubled by Torrez's actions. She noted it was disturbing that he sought to sue state employees instead of helping them and engaging in meaningful discussions on public safety. This story is still developing and updates are expected.