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 […]

“A tunnel to Rio Rancho” or more bridges? Mayoral candidates pitch plans for Westside traffic woes

Should Albuquerque tunnel under the Rio Grande or build new bridges across it? Mayoral hopefuls Eddie Varela and Darren White pitched big ideas to ease Westside traffic during a recent candidate forum hosted by business leaders. The exchange came at a mayoral forum Tuesday, Sept. 30, hosted by business leaders with the National Association of […]

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 […]

Free ride program aims to reduce impaired driving during Balloon Fiesta

Bernalillo County residents can get free rides during this year’s Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta through a county-supported program designed to prevent impaired driving. The “Take a Ride on Us” program offers up to $10 off two Uber trips from 10 a.m. Friday through 3 p.m. Oct. 12, according to a Bernalillo County news release. Riders […]

City will pay to air Keller speech on TV, again

Editor’s note: This story was updated on Friday afternoon with comments and clarification on the timeline for the ad purchases provided by a spokesperson Friday after the original story was published. The city had not responded to our questions on the day before publication. The City of Albuquerque is paying to rebroadcast Mayor Tim Keller’s […]

Greg Cunningham enters race for Congress in CD2, covering southern NM and ABQ’s Westside

A Republican former two-time New Mexico legislative candidate will seek his party’s nomination to challenge U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez (D-NM-02) in next year’s midterm election.  New Mexico Political Report first reported in September that Greg Cunningham, a 59-year-old Marine Corps veteran and former Albuquerque Police detective, was preparing to enter the race. He made it […]

Legislative update: Senate, House adjourn after tackling fixes to plug budget holes caused by federal cuts

The New Mexico House and Senate adjourned Thursday, completing a special session called to offset anticipated federal funding cuts to state programs.  Senators adjourned just after noon, while the House remained in session until 5:15 p.m.  All five bills brought up that align with the issues listed in the governor’s proclamation for the special session […]

Will the government shutdown affect Balloon Fiesta? We asked. Here’s what we found.

Hundreds of thousands of visitors are flying into Albuquerque for the Balloon Fiesta, just as a federal government shutdown puts Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers on the job without pay. Starting Saturday, Oct. 4, those screeners will handle the airport’s busiest week of the year. So far, federal and local officials said the shutdown hasn’t […]

Adding shutdown pressure, Trump cuts Dem state climate funds, including $195.2 million from New Mexico

New Mexico Congressional offices were caught by surprise on Thursday when they the Trump administration announced on social media that it had canceled more than $8 billion Congressionally-approved appropriations in 16 “Blue States,” including New Mexico. Inquiries from reporters, including our own, seeking details received automated responses blaming Democrats for the shutdown. Hours later, a […]

Gov., legislators move quickly to OK $150 million for healthcare, SNAP and public broadcasting to backfill fed funding cuts

New Mexico legislators gathered at the Roundhouse on Wednesday and quickly passed legislation authorizing more than $161 million in one-time spending to fill state budgets gaps for healthcare, food assistance for the needy and public broadcasting stations caused by federal spending cancelations pushed through Congress by President Trump and Republicans last spring. In line with […]