New Mexico State Auditor Joseph Maestas officially announced his reelection bid on Tuesday, vowing to continue what he described as a “fight for accountability, transparency, and innovation in New Mexico’s public entities and officials.” Maestas, a Democrat, touted in a campaign press release a first-term record that he described as uncovering millions of dollars of […]
Author Archives: Alex Ross
Alex Ross is a senior politics and legislative reporter for the New Mexico Political Report. He began his career in daily journalism in Montana and previously worked as a breaking news and politics reporter for the Roswell Daily Record and as the Roswell Bureau Chief for KOB.
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov
Heinrich touts proposal to protect govt workers during shutdown, Vasquez backs one-year extension of health insurance tax credits
The federal shutdown is entering a third week and there is little prospect for a solution anytime soon. But New Mexico legislators in Washington are using their privileges to introduce legislation by pushing for a path to compromise and help for federal workers stuck without a paycheck until a compromise is reached. Sen. Martin Heinrich […]
Posted inPolitics & Elections
Herrell backs Cunningham for GOP nomination in key congressional race
Former Rep. Yvette Herrell (R-NM-02) has officially endorsed Greg Cunningham to be the Republican nominee in the race for the congressional district she previously represented. Cunningham, who earlier this month launched his bid for the seat now held by U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez (D-NM-02), went public with Herrell’s support Monday with a statement from his […]
Posted inNM Legislature
Freshman state senator steps down citing health concerns
State Sen. Nicholas Paul (R-Alamogordo) has resigned from the Legislature, less than a year after the businessman was elected to the New Mexico Senate. “After much prayer and reflection, my family and I have decided that due to current and ongoing health concerns, it is necessary for me to prioritize my health,” Paul said in […]
Posted inJobs, Workers & Economy
Holtec abandons plans for New Mexico nuclear waste storage facility opposed by gov, legislators
Holtec Industries has pulled out of an eight-year-old land use agreement with local stakeholders in Southeast New Mexico for the construction and operation of an underground temporary nuclear waste storage facility. Patrick O’Brien, a spokesperson for Holtec, confirmed in an email to New Mexico Political Report on Thursday that the decision for Holtec and the Eddy […]
Posted inNM Legislature
NM’s vaccine shake-up: Governor acts to set independent immunization standards amid CDC turmoil
A bill that temporarily allows New Mexico to formulate its own immunization policy was signed Wednesday by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. Senate Bill 3, which passed on a party-line vote during last week’s special session but had not yet been acted upon by Lujan Grisham, requires that immunization policy for children and the state purchase […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov, New Mexico
Leading NM House Republican calls on U.S. Senators to support government funding bill
A leading Republican state legislator is calling on New Mexico’s two Democratic U.S. Senators to reverse their opposition to a short-term government funding bill, after the Legislature passed its own fix to address the expiration of federal health insurance tax credits. Last week, New Mexico House Minority Floor Leader Gail Armstrong (R-Magdalena) posted a screenshot […]
Posted inHealthcare
As more New Mexico hospitals become owned out-of-state, legislators debate how to improve local care
New Mexico Lawmakers on Tuesday heard a presentation about the potential harms of private equity’s role in healthcare, something many New Mexico Democrats have argued has siphoned dollars away from addressing New Mexico’s healthcare needs while profiting out-of-state interests. The Legislative Health and Human Services Committee heard the presentation from Olivia Kosloff, a senior fellow […]
Posted inNM Legislature
Gov signs 3 of 4 special session bills to soften impacts of federal cuts
By Alex Ross, NM Political Report New Mexico lawmakers concluded a two-day special legislative session on Thursday, where they shored up state food assistance and health care programs amid looming cuts in federal funding and spiking health insurance premiums. The New Mexico Senate adjourned Sine die shortly after noon, and the New Mexico House of […]
Posted inUncategorized
Congressional candidate’s purchase of Arizona home raises questions about New Mexico residency
By Alex Ross, Pat Davis, NM Political Report A new Republican congressional candidate used a program enabling New Mexico disabled veterans to pay no property taxes on his Westside Albuquerque home while also purchasing a home out of state as his primary residence. Gregory Cunningham, who this week filed the necessary paperwork with the Federal […]