Two Republican state senators defended a federal immigration detention facility in southern New Mexico on Monday, arguing against proposed legislation that would ban such facilities in the state. Sens. Crystal Brantley of Elephant Butte and Nick Paul of Alamogordo toured the Otero County Processing Center, which houses approximately 1,027 immigrants awaiting deportation under contract with […]
Category: NM State Gov.
Posted inNew Mexico, NM State Gov.
New Mexico oil lease sale breaks records, brings in $256 million for schools
New Mexico’s State Land Office shattered revenue records for the second consecutive month, earning $256 million in bonus payments from an oil and gas lease auction held this week, officials announced Tuesday. The August sale surpassed last month’s then-record $56 million, marking another milestone since the state implemented a new 25% royalty rate for premium […]
Posted inNew Mexico, NM State Gov.
League of Women Voters ‘disappointed’ after two Democratic legislators quit redistricting task force
The League of Women Voters of New Mexico criticized the resignations of two Democratic legislators from a state redistricting task force, saying their departure reflects an “unwillingness to engage in dialogue on critical issues.” Sen. Harold Pope and Rep. Cristina Parajón resigned from the 2025 Redistricting Task Force on Monday, in a move Republican Sen. […]
Posted inNew Mexico, NM State Gov.
New Mexico projects $485 million revenue increase despite federal budget cuts
New Mexico is projected to see nearly half a billion dollars in additional revenue for fiscal year 2027 despite expected cuts from federal legislation, state economists announced Tuesday during a Legislative Finance Committee meeting. The Consensus Revenue Estimating Group (CREG) projects $14.11 billion in General Fund revenue for fiscal year 2027, representing a $485 million […]
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Two Albuquerque Democrats quit Fair Districts Task Force over gerrymandering concerns
Two prominent Albuquerque legislators resigned from New Mexico’s Fair Districts Task Force on Monday, citing frustration that the state is pursuing redistricting reform while other states engage in partisan gerrymandering with impunity. State Sen. Harold Pope Jr. and Rep. Cristina Parajón both stepped down from the task force effective immediately, one day before the group’s […]
Posted inNM State Gov.
Gov.’s “crime emergency” for Rio Arriba includes OK for National Guard, but other strategies funded first
New Mexico’s emergency declaration for the Española area prioritizes immediate, flexible support for overwhelmed local law enforcement rather than deploying additional state personnel, according to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s office. The $750,000 in emergency funding authorized under Executive Order 2025-358 Wednesday will directly support Rio Arriba County, Española and Pueblo police departments through overtime pay […]
Posted inNew Mexico, NM State Gov.
Governor declares emergency in Española area amid crime surge
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham declared a state of emergency Wednesday for Rio Arriba County, the city of Española and surrounding Pueblo communities in response to what officials describe as an overwhelming surge in violent crime and drug trafficking that has strained local law enforcement resources. The emergency declaration, issued through Executive Order 2025-358, […]
Posted inNew Mexico, NM State Gov.
25 New Mexico lawmakers oppose petition to allow oil and gas wastewater discharge
Over two dozen New Mexico legislators are urging state water regulators to dismiss a petition that would allow the discharge of treated oil and gas wastewater, arguing the matter has already been decided through a comprehensive review process. A letter was sent Monday, signed by 25 legislators, to the Water Quality Control Commission opposing a […]
Posted inNM State Gov., Opinion
Op-Ed: Why Responsible Economic Development Deserves State Investment
Submitted by Raymundo Lara, State Representative – House District 34 In New Mexico, we talk often about how economic development is key to creating good jobs, thriving communities, and long-term opportunities for our families. But how we get there matters just as much as the outcome. Responsible economic development is done with purpose, transparency, and […]
Posted inNew Mexico, NM State Gov.
Protecting New Mexico’s water supply and farming communities
Submitted by Representative Kathleen Cates (D-Rio Rancho) New Mexico’s arid climate means we naturally receive limited annual precipitation, but the effects of climate change have exacerbated these challenges. Rising temperatures have led to prolonged droughts, decreased snowpack, early melting, and reduced river flows, while higher evaporation rates have diminished our water storage in reservoirs. To […]