Politics

Bill Banning Local Government ICE Detention Deals Heads To Governor

by

State Sen. Jim Townsend, left, talks with House Republicans John Block and Stefani Lord before a contentious Senate debate Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, at the state Capitol on a bill that would ban local governments from entering contracts to operate federal immigration detention centers. Townsend said it would leave roughly 1,000 people without employment. The Senate passed the measure, sending it to the governor. Photo by Jim Weber/The New Mexican

By CLARA BATES
The Santa Fe New Mexican

​Local governments in New Mexico will be banned from contracting with the federal government to operate immigration Read More

Legislative Roundup: 16 Days Left In Session

by

Jessica Leija tears up a little as she talks about her son, Enrique Leija, who was murdered in 2021, during a Remembrance Memorial for Homicide Survivors hosted by New Mexico Crusaders for Justice in the Capitol Rotunda on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026. Leija was one of many who attended the memorial to speak of their deceased loved ones and try to persuade policymakers to pass tougher laws against violent offenders. Jim Weber/The New Mexican

The Santa Fe New Mexican:

Getting cheesy: Senators spent 20 minutes on the floor Tuesday afternoon discussing their connections to Southwest Cheese — a Clovis Read More

Reasonable Malpractice Reform Benefits Every New Mexican

by

By DAYMON ELY
Attorney
Former New Mexico Representative

At its heart, the debate over medical malpractice reform is not about trial lawyers or corporate profits – it is about our most basic values. Every New Mexican deserves access to quality health care. And every New Mexican deserves justice when that care falls tragically short.

Medical malpractice is rare. Fewer than 1% of medical providers are responsible for the vast majority of malpractice claims, but when tragedy strikes and a patient is harmed or killed, that patient or their family needs to know that they can get justice in a Read More

Gubernatorial Candidate Deb Haaland Officially On Ballot

by

Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate Deb Haaland turning in ballot petitions this morning, signed by thousands of grassroots supporters across New Mexico, making her officially on the ballot in her quest to be the state’s next governor. ‘I’m in this fight because we need the right leader who can help move our state toward a future where everyone can thrive,’ she said. Courtesy photo Read More

Op-Ed: New Mexico Education Is Improving—Despite What the Rankings Say 

by

By Sen. Bill Soules, D-Doña Ana
New Mexico District 37

For too long, the state of education in New Mexico has been judged by a single metric: proficiency. This metric is only a snapshot of literacy rates, and direct comparison of proficiency between states can be misleading. A new white paper on New Mexico student literacy demonstrates that our students are making real, measurable reading gains over time, often matching or exceeding national growth rates.

The white paper, commissioned by New Mexico Coalition of Educational Leaders and conducted by Evress analytics, uses Read More

Dekker: Senate Bill 177 Is A Blueprint For New Mexico’s Economic Future

by

By DALE DEKKER
Founding Principal & Brand Ambassador
Dekker

For decades, New Mexico has talked about economic diversification. Senate Bill 177, sponsored by Sen. George Munoz is what it looks like when we finally decide to do it.

This legislation is not a collection of disconnected appropriations. It is a strategic investment plan – one that recognizes where the global economy is heading and positions New Mexico to compete, lead, and win in that future. At its core, SB 177 acknowledges a simple truth: states that invest intentionally in innovation, talent, and infrastructure will Read More

Deb Haaland Rallies In Support Of Land Grant, Acequia Funding At Roundhouse’s Annual Acequia Day

by

Deb Haaland shows support for Land Grant and Acequia infrastructure at the Roundhouse. Courtesy photo

Deb Haaland Campaign:

SANTA FE — Deb Haaland, candidate for New Mexico governor, rallied in support for Land Grand and Acequia infrastructure funding alongside land grant and acequia community leaders at the Roundhouse. At the event, Haaland announced her support for House Bill 21, the Land Grant-Merced Acequia Infrastructure Act, currently under consideration in the legislature.  

Deb Haaland has long been a proponent of the traditional land and water management systems which are Read More

Medical Community Opposes HB 213 Citing Patient Safety, Surgical Standards, And Proper Oversight

by

STATE News:

SANTA FE — Local medical students, ophthalmology residents, and doctors provided public comments cautioning policymakers that eye surgery is complex, high-risk medical care that requires physician-led training, supervision, and oversight to protect patient safety. Despite references in committee to a stakeholder compromise, no consensus exists among physicians or professional organizations regarding the expansion of laser eye surgery authority in HB 213.

HB 213 was rolled by the House Health and Human Services Committee and will be heard by the committee on Wednesday Read More

‘Leftover From A Bygone Era’ … McQueen Proposes New Mexico Legislature Changes

by

By MARGARET O’HARA
The Santa Fe New Mexican

Another year, another effort by Rep. Matthew McQueen, D-Galisteo, to change how the New Mexico Legislature does business.

Sponsored by McQueen, House Joint Resolution 6 proposes amending the state constitution to consolidate the Legislature’s alternating 30- and 60-day sessions into annual 45-day sessions.

The measure also would allow all legislation to be considered in every session, rather than limiting 30-day sessions to budget-related bills or matters that secure approval from the governor.

A similar resolution, also proposed by McQueen, Read More

Western Governors Issue Statement On Colorado River Mtg.

by

From the office of Gov. Lujan Grisham

SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham attended a historic meeting today in Washington, D.C. with governors and representatives of seven Western states to discuss the Colorado River Compact.

The governors of New Mexico, California, Colorado, Arizona, Utah, Wyoming and Nevada were convened by U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgam. The governors issued the following joint statement after the meeting:  

“Today’s meeting gave each governor an opportunity to explain their position with respect to the Colorado River Basin issue. All acknowledged that a Read More