House Republicans Roll Out ‘Fair Shot’ Housing Affordability Package, Request Message From Governor
STATE News:
SANTA FE — House Republicans have introduced a two-bill housing affordability package focused on helping New Mexico families buy homes and protecting the state’s single-family housing market. Because current law limits what legislation can be considered during the session, House Republicans were required to formally request a message from the Governor to allow these proposals to move forward.
The package includes legislation (HB 176) sponsored by Rep. Alan Martinez creating an Affordable Housing Fund that would provide zero-percent down payment loans to qualified first-time Read More
Senate Conservation Committee Unanimously Advances $2 Million Mosquito Monitoring Plan That Would Be ‘Early Warning System’ For New Mexico
Егор Камелев/Pixabay via Public DomainBy LILY ALEXANDER
The Santa Fe New Mexican
For Albuquerque Republican Sen. Nicole Tobiassen, the fight against mosquitoes is personal now.
In September, Tobiassen’s husband contracted West Nile virus and spent four and a half months in the intensive care unit “fighting for his life”, she said Thursday during a committee hearing for Senate Bill 79.
The measure would appropriate $2 million to the New Mexico Department of Health for mosquito surveillance, prevention and mitigation in fiscal years 2027 and 2028.
“He survived — against the odds, might I Read More
Negotiations On New Mexico Medical Malpractice Bill Stall Over Punitive Damages
HB99 Sponsor Rep. Christine Chandler, D-Los Alamos
By CLARA BATES and MARGARET O’HARA
The Santa Fe New Mexican
A group convened by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to come to an agreement on changing the state’s medical malpractice law was still negotiating behind the scenes the week of a key House committee hearing on the measure.
One sticking point, according to an attorney participating in the talks, has been whether or not to cap punitive damages for hospitals.
House Bill 99, set for a debate before the House Health and Human Services Committee on Friday morning, would establish caps for Read More
Immigrant Safety Act Headed to House Floor
NMDP News:
SANTA FE — The Immigrant Safety Act, which would prevent New Mexico state and local governments from contracting with federal Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain individuals for civil immigration violations, passed the House Judiciary Committee today by a vote of 7 to 4. House Bill 9 now heads to the House Floor.
“The Immigrant Safety Act will get our state out of the business of detaining innocent people in deplorable conditions,” lead sponsor Rep. Eleanor Chávez (D-Albuquerque) said. “As the federal government ramps up its draconian mass deportation efforts and Read More
Legislative Roundup: 22 Days Left In Session
Roundhouse IT technician Sahnthi Enumula takes advantage of the free vaccinations provided by the state Department of Health during “Public Health Day” at the state Capitol on Wednesday. Photo by Jim Weber/The New Mexican
The Santa Fe New Mexican
Compacts clear the House: House Speaker Javier Martínez said it best: “Compacts — signed, sealed, almost delivered.”
The New Mexico House on Wednesday unanimously passed seven health care worker compacts — agreements that would ease the process for providers from other states to practice in New Mexico — in less than an Read More
Republicans Oppose Unconstitutional SB 17 Bill
STATE News:
SANTA FE — Jan. 28, Senate Bill 17 received a ‘Do Pass’ recommendation from the Senate Health & Public Affairs Committee on a 6-4 party line vote. This controversial and egregiously unconstitutional proposal was met with fierce opposition from Republican committee members. Led by Ranking Member Sen. Larry Scott (R-Hobbs), Sens. David Gallegos (R-Eunice), Jay Block (R-Rio Rancho), and Rex Wilson (R-Ancho) were unified in their ‘no’ votes.
SB 17 effectively:
- Grows government control over guns
- Burdens small, local gun dealers
- Targets law-abiding citizens, not criminals
Federal Abuses, Rural Jobs Clash In ICE Detention Debate
Hermila Sotelo, a member of Somos Un Pueblo Unido Eddy County, speaks in favor of House Bill 9, the Immigrant Safety Act, during public testimony before the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, in the House chamber of the state Capitol. Sotelo, who said she has lived in the United States for 30 years after coming to the country from Chihuahua, Mexico, has been working with Somos Un Pueblo Unido in hopes of gaining citizenship this year. Matt Dahlseid/The New Mexican
By CLARA BATES
The Santa Fe New Mexican
A bill to restrict immigration detention centers in New Mexico, potentially Read More
U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez Presses USPS To Reverse Harmful Postmark Policy Change
U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez
U.S. CONGRESS News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Jan. 27, 2026—one day into the 2025 tax filing season—U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) sent a letter (attached) to Postmaster General David P. Steiner raising serious concerns about a recent U.S. Postal Service policy change that could unfairly penalize New Mexicans who rely on USPS to send time-sensitive mail such as tax returns, rent payments, and Social Security or Medicare documents.
In December, USPS changed its long-standing practice of postmarking mail on the date it is dropped off by customers. Under the new policy, mail Read More
Los Alamos County Council Votes Down MRA Commission
Besides voting against an MRA commission, Los Alamos County Council unanimously approved the North Mesa Recreation Master Plan Tuesday night in Council Chambers. The public filled the chambers, many wearing bike helmets, to voice their support for the plan. Council Chair Randall Ryti encouraged everyone to return during the budget hearings and contact the council to discuss funding for the master plan. Photo by Ryn Herrmann
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
While Los Alamos County Council passed on forming a Metropolitan Redevelopment Area (MRA) commission, Read More
U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández Secures Major Wins For New Mexico In Funding Bill, Votes Against ICE Funding
U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández
CONGRESSIONAL News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (D-NM) has secured $8,682,250 in Community Project Funding for New Mexico and delivered key funding victories for the state as part of the Fiscal Year 2026 federal spending minibus covering Transportation and Housing and Urban Development, Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and the Department of Defense.
The funding will support critical infrastructure, housing, public safety, transit, and community facilities across municipalities in New Mexico.
“In a difficult political Read More
USDA Forest Service Issues Revised Oil & Gas Leasing Rule
USDA News:
WASHINGTON. D.C. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service finalized revisions to its regulation governing federal oil and gas resources on National Forest System lands. The revision modernizes and streamlines the process for managing energy development across millions of acres.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced the updated rule today, emphasizing the Trump Administration’s joint commitment to eliminating outdated and burdensome processes and advancing President Donald J. Trump’s Executive Orders Read More
Lawmakers Introduce Clear Horizons Act ‘To Protect New Mexico Families From Rising Costs’
STATE News:
SANTA FE — Lawmakers have formally introduced the Clear Horizons Act (Senate Bill 18), a plan to provide long-term planning, stability, and accountability from the harmful effects of polluting industries.
As New Mexican families continue to face rising costs associated with the waste and byproducts of polluting industries, leaders in Santa Fe are responding with actionable legislation.
The Clear Horizons Act (Senate Bill 18) responds to the real and growing costs New Mexicans are already paying as extreme weather becomes more frequent and severe. New data presented to legislators Read More
GOP Senators Introduce Bill To End ‘Trial Lawyers’ Chokehold On New Mexico Healthcare’
Scene from the Roundhouse where Special Sessions are currently underway. Courtesy/Senate GOP
Sen. Craig Brandt is holding legislation that he and Senators Pat Woods, Nicole Tobiassen and Steve Lanier signed. Courtesy photo
Senate Republicans News:
SANTA FE — Four Republican Senators introduced a bill to prohibit obscene “punitive damages” payouts to trial lawyers at the expense of patients and doctors. In 2021, Democrats pushed through damaging increases to the punitive caps on medical malpractice claims, action that has created a crisis in healthcare access for New Mexico families. Read More
County Library Board Scheduled To Meet Feb. 2
New Mexico December 2025 Unemployment Rate 4.3%
NMDWS News:
New Mexico’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.3 percent in December, up from 4.2 percent in November and unchanged from the previous year’s rate. The national unemployment rate in December was 4.4 percent, down from 4.5 percent in November and up from 4.1 percent in December 2024.
Total nonagricultural payroll employment grew by 8,800 jobs, or 1.0 percent, between December 2024 and December 2025. The majority of gains came from the public sector. The private sector was up 3,000 jobs, or 0.4 percent, while the public sector was up 5,800 jobs, or 3.0 percent. Within the Read More
DPNM Applies For New Mexico To Be Early Primary State
Chair Sara Attleson
Democratic Party of New Mexico
DPNM News:
ALBUQUERQUE — The Democratic Party of New Mexico recently applied to the Democratic National Committee to move up the state’s presidential primary election to become one of the first voting states in 2028.
New Mexico’s presidential primary is currently held in June, long after the nomination contest is effectively decided. However, New Mexico’s electorate, with its plurality of Hispanic/Latino, rural, and largely working-class population, is one of the best reflections of the kinds of voters the Democratic Party must appeal Read More
New Mexico House Unanimously Passes Seven Interstate Compact Bills To Expand Access To Healthcare
STATE News:
Los Alamos Police Chief Issues Response To Questions From Community Regarding County Immigration Policy
By Police Chief Dino Sgambellone
Los Alamos Police Department
The Los Alamos Police Department (LAPD) has received questions from some members of the community regarding our immigration policy. Our policy has remained consistent. LAPD will continue to work with all our federal partners to provide assistance as prescribed by law, or as a matter of public and/or officer safety.
Specific to immigration, LAPD has a responsibility to properly identify and make Consular notification of any foreign citizen taken into custody in accordance with law and international treaties. However, victims Read More
Benson: And Then They Came For Me…
Interfaith leaders hold a prayer vigil for justice at the Roundhouse on Monday as hundreds march from the Santa Fe Farmers Market to the Capitol in support of immigrants’ rights. Photo by Jody Benson
By JODY BENSON
Los Alamos
I texted an invitation to a friend to join Saturday’s action to “Shine a Light for Minnesota,” and “step out now for our neighbors, for our communities and for Alex” (a white, male, ICU nurse protesting in Minneapolis and shot dead by ICE agents), by lighting a candle as a prayer for him and immigrants.
The friend responded that there would be no murders, no violence if protestors Read More
Fuselier: Hope And Light
By ROBERT FUSELIER
Los Alamos
I have been encouraged by recent stories witnessing the effort of those within the Catholic Church – the Church in which I was raised – to demonstrate how our government’s current use of force, fear, and lies against the marginalized and those protecting them is antithesis to the teachings and ways of Jesus.
I have hope; I have hope because our Pope and many Catholic bishops, cardinals, and pastors are willing, along with many from other churches, to remind us of Jesus’ nonviolent approach to those in authority who oppressed those they were supposed to protect. Read More
