A former state budget director sued over New Mexico's universal child care program, claiming leaders ignored a $43 million to $46 million funding gap and then fired her. SANTA FE, N.M. – A former state budget director sued over New Mexico’s universal child care program, claiming leaders ignored a $43 million to $46 million funding gap and then fired her. The former Early Childhood Education and Care Department budget director said she had worked in the job since October. Gonzales claimed she found several budget deficits and raised those concerns to department leaders, including Secretary Elizabeth Groginsky. She said early this year she warned leaders that the universal child care program could be more than $40 million short.