Legislative Roundup: 23 Days Left In Session
Representatives of the New Mexico Primary Care Association pass out teddy bears to legislators and staff around the Roundhouse for Primary Care Day, Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, as the legislature starts to kick into full gear on the second week of the 30-day session. Photo by Jim Weber/The New Mexican
Yvette Ramirez Ammerman, CEO at the New Mexico Primary Care Association, passes out teddy bears to legislators and staff around the Roundhouse for Primary Care Day Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, as the legislature starts to kick into full gear on the second week of the 30-day session. Photo by Jim Weber/The Read More
Lawmakers Lament Bleak—But Fixable—Future Of Health Care In New Mexico
By MARGARET O’HARA
The Santa Fe New Mexican
Even among the people in charge of health care in New Mexico, health care can be hard to find.
“Raise your hand if you can navigate the health care system in New Mexico,” Sen. George Muñoz, D-Gallup, said Tuesday during a meeting of the Senate Finance Committee, which he chairs.
Not even the committee’s presenters—including three Cabinet secretaries and the head of the University of New Mexico Health System—raised their hands in response.
Frustrations around lack of access to health care were among the major themes as senators Read More
Supreme Court Rules On Exclusion Of Expert Witness Affidavit In Malpractice Case
NMSC News:
SANTA FE — The state Supreme Court ruled that a trial court acted properly in striking a sworn statement of an expert witness in a medical malpractice case because it was filed months after a court-imposed deadline for submitting such evidence.
In a unanimous opinion, the Court concluded that the district court in Bernalillo County “properly exercised its inherent authority to enforce its scheduling order” that governed when certain events must occur in the case.
The justices rejected arguments that the trial court had effectively imposed a sanction of dismissal of the case by its Read More
ExxonMobil Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® RV Reservations Open Today
AIBF News:
ALBUQUERQUE — RV reservations for the 54th ExxonMobil Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®, set to launch Oct. 3-11, 2026, will open at 9 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 28.
The reservation link, booking.staylist.app/balloonfiesta/single, will open a waiting room approximately 20 minutes before reservations open.
Guests are encouraged to review cancellation policies, RV forms and maps, and frequently asked questions on the Balloon Fiesta website before booking a reservation.
“RVing is a wonderful way to experience Balloon Fiesta,” Julie Morgas Baca, AIBF Executive Director Read More
Gov. Lujan Grisham Proclaims Feb. 3 Behavioral Health Day
HCA News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Behavioral Health Planning Council will host its 21st annual Behavioral Health Day Tuesday, Feb. 3, at Hotel Glorieta in Santa Fe, convening advocates, providers, and policymakers to spotlight the importance of mental health and substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery.
This year’s theme, “Cultivating a Culture of Healing,” reflects the state’s commitment to expanding culturally responsive behavioral health services. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has issued a proclamation recognizing New Mexico’s efforts to advance culturally responsive Read More
New Mexico Lawmakers Aim To Prevent Sunset Of Pet Food Fee For Spay And Neuter Programs
Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth, a Santa Fe Democrat, defends a law that helps fund spay and neuter programs during a Senate Conservation Committee meeting at the state Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026. The law, which calls for a fee on pet food to fund the programs, is scheduled to sunset. Jim Weber/The New Mexican
By LILY ALEXANDER
The Santa Fe New Mexican
A pet food manufacturer fee that could provide an estimated $1.37 million annually to make spay and neuter programs affordable for low-income pet owners in New Mexico faces a sunset date in July.
Some state lawmakers are trying to throw Read More
OBAE Proposes $10 Million For Broadband Affordability
OBAE News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Office of Broadband Access (OBAE) and Expansion (OBAE) has announced legislation to authorize $10 million in broadband funding to help low-income families afford broadband service.
Senate Bill 152 was introduced by Senate Majority Whip Michael Padilla (D-14) and prepared by OBAE in consultation with the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (PRC).
The funding would come from the State Rural Universal Service Fund, which by current statute, has $40 million specifically earmarked for broadband programs.
The legislation is called the “Low-Income Read More
Los Alamos National Laboratory: FY 2025 Economic Impact
Evening view of Los Alamos National Laboratory. Courtesy/LANL
LANL News:
- $2 billion in employee salaries across 6 northern New Mexico counties; $752 Million spent with local businesses
Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) released its annual Economic Impact Report detailing spending during fiscal year 2025, which ended Sept. 30. With an annual budget of $5.28 billion, the Laboratory is a major economic driver in the state.
“For more than 80 years, Los Alamos National Laboratory has played a critical role in New Mexico’s economy and its communities,” Laboratory Director Thom Mason said. Read More
Canadian Manufacturer Endurance Technologies, Inc. Picks Las Cruces For First U.S. Facility
Representatives from the Mesilla Valley Economic Development Alliance, City of Las Cruces, New Mexico Economic Development Department and Endurance Technologies Ltd. in Las Cruces last week celebrating the company’s U.S. Expansion. Courtesy photo
NMEDD News:
LAS CRUCES — A Canadian pipe manufacturing company, Endurance Technologies, Inc., has selected Las Cruces as the site of its first U.S. facility, bringing dozens of jobs and more than $50 million in economic impact to New Mexico over the next decade.
Over the next five years, Endurance plans to create 43 jobs in Las Cruces, Read More
NMSOP To Host Patient Advocacy Day At Roundhouse
NMSOP News:
SANTA FE — Patients, survivors, and advocates from across New Mexico will gather at the State Capitol on Friday, January 30, for Patient Advocacy Day, hosted by New Mexico Safety Over Profit (NMSOP).
Patient Advocacy Day will center the voices of New Mexicans who have been directly impacted by the state’s health care workforce shortage, unsafe hospital conditions, and barriers to accountability when preventable harm occurs. Participants will meet with lawmakers to share why NMSOP’s legislative priorities are critical to improving access to care without weakening patient Read More
