Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., New Mexico

New Mexico senators blast Republicans for blocking Epstein document release

New Mexico Democratic Sens. Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Lujan on Thursday denounced their Republican Senate colleagues for voting down an amendment that would require the U.S. Department of Justice to release all its files on alleged child sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.  On Wednesday, the Senate voted 51-49 to table a proposed amendment to the […]

Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., New Mexico

New Mexico politicians push for completion of tribal water rights

By Lauren Lifke New Mexico’s congressional delegation has called for Senate and House leaders to take steps toward completing tribal water settlements. The U.S. pursues a policy of settling tribal water rights disputes whenever possible, according to the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The settlements are intended to help secure tribal rights to historic land, as […]

Posted inCongress & Federal Gov, New Mexico

New Mexico leaders outraged by Supreme Court’s racial profiling ruling

Members of Congress and the top prosecutor in New Mexico are condemning a U.S. Supreme Court decision that at least temporarily allows immigration officials to stop individuals based on what critics say is racial profiling.  The 6-3 decision announced on Monday granted the federal government’s request to pause a lower court ruling that limited when […]

Posted inCongress & Federal Gov.

Trump orders states to reinstate cash bonds for criminals. Forcing New Mexico to do that isn’t quite that easy.

The growing push by Republicans to roll back limits on when courts can require criminal suspects to pay to get out of jail while awaiting trial could put New Mexico on a collision course with the federal government.  On Aug. 25, President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing the U.S. Attorney General and White […]

Posted inNew Mexico, NM Legislature

Lujan Grisham to push immigrant detention ban in next legislative session

Although it will not be on her agenda for the upcoming special legislative session, an advisor to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-NM) said she will make passage of a bill banning immigrant detention in New Mexico a top priority next year.  “The governor intends to include this legislation in the January regular session call in […]

Posted inGeneral Interest, New Mexico

FAA provides over $21 million for New Mexico airports

By Lauren Lifke The Federal Aviation Administration granted $21 million for upgrades at over 15 airports across New Mexico, according to a Friday news release. The grants, totaling $21,239,759 will pay for upgrades at the Santa Fe Regional Airport, Las Cruces International Airport and Taos Regional Airport. Regional and municipal airports throughout the state will […]

Posted inNM State Gov.

New Mexico to make history as first state to offer universal child care

New Mexico will become the first state in the nation to guarantee no-cost child care for all families regardless of income, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced Monday. The universal child care program takes effect Nov. 1, removing all income eligibility requirements from the state’s child care assistance program and waiving family copayments, according to the […]

Posted inCongress & Federal Gov, New Mexico

Senate Democrats file resolution calling for Kennedy’s resignation from HHS

Twenty-three Senate Democrats filed a resolution of disapproval Thursday calling for Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to resign, citing concerns about his stance on vaccines and scientific credibility. The resolution, led by Sen. Angela Alsobrooks, D-Md., states that the Senate and American people have “zero confidence” in Kennedy’s ability to serve […]

Posted inNew Mexico, NM Legislature

Governor calls special session to address federal budget cuts

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced Thursday she will convene a special legislative session beginning Oct. 1 to address what she described as severe federal budget cuts that threaten essential services across New Mexico. The Democratic governor said the session aims to protect state programs from reductions stemming from federal legislation signed by President Donald Trump […]

Posted inPolitics & Elections

New Mexico Republicans eyeing governor’s office, but slowly

Three Democrats have already launched their campaigns for governor, but most of the Republicans whose names are in contention are still weighing their options.  “I’m seriously looking at it,” state Rep. Mark Murphy, a Republican from Roswell, said Thursday in an interview with New Mexico Political Report. He added that he is talking with family, […]