Birga Alden, Albuquerque, is Chief Communications Officer for the New Mexico Dream Center, an organization dedicated to fighting human trafficking. In the spring of 2025, I noticed banners going up for the 2026 centennial celebration of the “Mother Road”—Route 66. In Albuquerque, NM, this stretch of road is aptly named Central Avenue. I’ve lived in […]
Category: Opinion

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Defending the Constitution is our duty
This report is supported by NM Political Report, a nonprofit newsroom working to increase New Mexicans’ engagement in politics and public policy. Submitted by: Starlyn Brown, President, League of Women Voters of Central New Mexico Submitted content is provided by government agencies, verified organizations or other news outlets who are responsible for the content. Republication […]
Poll shows Haaland with a commanding lead in Dem race for gov
This column is a part of New Mexico Political Report‘s analysis and commentary series. New Mexico’s 32nd governor, Michelle Lujan Grisham, still has another 15 months in command of the 4th Floor of the Roundhouse, but political junkies are already lining up to pick the 33rd one. After a few weeks of kickoff rallies and […]
Op-ed: New Mexico needs strong heat safety rules for workers
Submitted by Albuquerque City Councilor Tammy Fiebelkorn Every year, it gets hotter in Albuquerque. Summers stretch longer, temperatures climb higher, and extreme heat warnings become more frequent. What we’re experiencing is no accident, it’s the reality of climate change, unfolding right here in our city. This crisis doesn’t impact everyone equally. The people on the […]
Opinion: Special Session Process Needs to Be Open to Public Input
This commentary is submitted by Peter St. Cyr, an award-winning longtime New Mexico journalist and open government advocate. While the political class debates the timing and merits of a special legislative session this fall, my concerns are focused on the process being discussed by New Mexico House and Senate leadership. Their idea to have predetermined […]
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 […]
So close to Texas, New Mexico has been a redistricting refuge before—but not like this
Commentary Dede Feldman is a former NM State Senator representing Albuquerque’s North Valley. She served on the 2001 legislative redistricting committee. A few of us had Blackberries, but in those days, it was mostly flip phones, and that’s how we found out. The Texans were coming. It was 2003 and the message was from the […]
Opinion: New polling shows any candidate could beat Keller for mayor, but take it with a grain of salt
Pat Davis is the founder and publisher of City Desk ABQ and nm.new.s He is a recovering politician having served eight years as an Albuquerque City Councilor and, in another life, he served as a police officer and nonprofit organizer. Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that the polling group did […]
Albuquerque’s Cooling Ordinance: A Good Start That Needs Strengthening
Nathaniel Matthews-Trigg, MPH, CEM is a founding board member of Healthy Climate New Mexico and a heat-health technical expert. He is based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. On August 1st, Mayor Tim Keller will participate in “Hotter Days, Smarter Ways: Innovative Strategies for Heat Resilience” at the Mayors’ Innovation Project 2025 conference. As mayors from across […]
Investing with purpose: Building New Mexico’s future
Submitted by Senator Pete Campos, D-Las Vegas New Mexico’s capital outlay efforts have fueled remarkable progress on projects throughout the state. We have replaced aging infrastructure and built new roads, dams, and public buildings. In turn, the construction activity has spurred economic activity through high-paying construction jobs and the purchase of equipment and supplies. But […]