Politics

House Republicans Roll Out ‘Fair Shot’ Housing Affordability Package, Request Message From Governor

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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

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Егор Камелев/Pixabay via Public Domain

By 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

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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

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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

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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

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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
Read More

Federal Abuses, Rural Jobs Clash In ICE Detention Debate

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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

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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

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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

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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