Ringside Seat: Saints & Sinners At The Statehouse
By MILAN SIMONICH
The Santa Fe New Mexican
The great Damon Runyon said he preferred writing about losers because they were more entertaining than winners.
His premise doesn’t hold up in modern-day New Mexico.
Two big losers from the state’s 30-day legislative session are Democratic Sens. Peter Wirth of Santa Fe and Joe Cervantes of Las Cruces. They are lawyers who represent plaintiffs in medical malpractice cases.
Both senators should have excused themselves from every debate and all votes on a bill to cap punitive damages that juries can award in malpractice cases.
Cervantes introduced a Read More
New Mexico Secretary Of State Highlights Passage Of Critical Election Bills In 2026 Legislative Session
Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver
STATE News:
The 2026 New Mexico legislative session saw the passage of multiple bills that fortify the existing accessibility, stability and security of New Mexico’s elections.
“New Mexico currently ranks first in the nation for election administration, and I commend the legislature on helping ensure we remain at the top of that list. With the passage of SJR 1, eligible voters will have the opportunity in November to eliminate discriminatory provisions in our Constitution that date back to when women could only vote in school elections Read More
Bill To Ensure New Mexico Students Receive High-Quality Research-based Literacy Instruction Heads To Governor
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham
STATE News:
SANTA FE — A bill that would ensure New Mexico students receive high-quality, research-based literacy instruction aligned with the science of reading has cleared both chambers of the legislature, and the governor plans to sign it into law.
The New Mexico House of Representatives unanimously approved Senate Bill 37—the High-Quality Literacy Instruction Act—last night following the Senate’s unanimous vote in favor of the bill Jan. 29.
“SB 37 builds on my administration’s long-term strategy to give every New Mexico child a solid foundation for educational Read More
New Mexico Legislature Approves SB101 To Make Hospital Funding Program Permanent; Bill Heads To Governor
NMHCA News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Legislature gave unanimous approval Tuesday to Senate Bill 101, legislation that would permanently extend a state program supporting hospitals that serve Medicaid patients across New Mexico.
SB 101 passed with unanimous bipartisan support, clearing the Senate 31–0 and the House 57–0.
The bill repeals the sunset clause in the Health Care Delivery and Access Act and ensures continued financial support for eligible hospitals that care for Medicaid members.
“Making this program permanent helps ensure hospitals across New Mexico have the stability Read More
Local Democratic Party To Meet March 2
DPLAC News:
The Democratic Party of Los Alamos County (DPLAC) will meet at 6:30 p.m. Monday, March 2, with the business portion of the meeting beginning around 7 p.m. at the White Rock Branch Library, 10 Sherwood Blvd.
For a Zoom option to attend the meeting, click here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81654127593, Meeting ID: 816 5412 7593.
Planned agenda items:
- Candidate introductions, 3 minutes each;
- Executive team updates (Chair, Vice Chair, Ward Chairs);
- Local candidate recruiting; and
- Results of the 2026 ward meetings.
Upcoming events:
- 2026 DPNM pre-primary convention, March 7, 12-4
House Dems Pass Critical Healthcare Bills, Including Medical Malpractice Reform
NMDP News:
SANTA FE — Feb. 14, the New Mexico House of Representatives passed three important bills to improve access to high quality, affordable healthcare statewide. All three bills are part of the House Democrats’ comprehensive healthcare agenda for this session and each now heads to the Senate for consideration.
House Bill 99, which makes targeted changes to New Mexico’s medical malpractice laws to improve the climate for doctors and providers while protecting patient safety, passed the House floor by a vote of 66-3.
“New Mexico’s doctor shortage leads to longer wait times and delayed Read More
Legislative Roundup: 1 Day Left In Session
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham speaks to students, educators and professionals during STEM day in the rotunda at the state Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. Nathan Burton/The New Mexican
The Santa Fe New Mexican Staff Report:
Health care loan repayment: House Bill 66, an expansion of the state’s student loan repayment program for doctors, passed the Senate unanimously with little discussion Wednesday afternoon.
It now heads to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s desk.
The measure would allow a doctor to receive up to $75,000 per year over four years of service in New Mexico, for a total Read More
$1.25 Billion Capital Outlay Bill Nears The Finish Line
By LILY ALEXANDER
The Santa Fe New Mexican
The New Mexico Legislature is set allocate more than $1.255 billion for building projects throughout the state in the next fiscal year, including more than $175 million in pork barrel spending in the capital city and Santa Fe County.
Senate Bill 240, which soared through the Senate on Wednesday and was still waiting for a vote on the House floor before the session’s final hour, includes at least $7.3 million in capital outlay for city of Santa Fe projects and more than $8 million for the county government. A large portion of funding in the county—$95 Read More
New Mexico Legislature Passes Senate Bill 29 To Strengthen Math Education Statewide
Public Education Secretary Mariana D. Padilla
NMPED News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Legislature has passed Senate Bill 29 (SB 29), bipartisan legislation designed to strengthen mathematics instruction and improve student outcomes in public schools across the state.
SB 29 establishes a comprehensive framework to enhance math teaching and learning, including stronger preparation requirements for educators, expanded professional development and early identification of students who may need additional support in mathematics.
Beginning in the 2027–2028 school year, schools will Read More
Jury Finds Angel Fire Mayor Knowingly Violated Procurement Code In State Ethics Commission Enforcement Action
New Mexico State Ethics Commission News:
ALBUQUERQUE – A Colfax County jury returned a verdict in favor of the New Mexico State Ethics Commission in State Ethics Commission ex rel. Village of Angel Fire v. Lindsey, et al., finding that Angel Fire Mayor Barry Lindsey knowingly violated the New Mexico Procurement Code in connection with a $1 million contract awarded to Carristo Creative Consulting LLC.
The verdict was returned on Feb. 17, 2026, following a jury trial in the Eighth Judicial District Court in Raton, N.M., before the Honorable Steven Romero. The jury found that Mayor Lindsey knowingly Read More
House Advances Tax Package With 1% Raise For New Mexico Workers, State Budget
By DANIEL J. CHACÓN
The Santa Fe New Mexican
Proposed 1% raises for state government employees that were stripped from New Mexico’s spending plan in House Bill 2 to fund other priorities found a lifeline Wednesday in an unlikely place: an omnibus tax package.
“When … our people are left out in the cold with their pockets not as full as they could be, we have to do something to make it right,” Rep. Derrick Lente, D-Sandia Pueblo, said before the House passed the tax package, Senate Bill 151, on a 43-19 vote.
The tax package has an estimated total capacity of $110 million, generated by “decoupling” Read More
Last-Ditch Proposal Would Aid New Mexico Communities Set To Lose ICE Revenue
The Roundhouse in Santa Fe. Post file photo
By CLARA BATES
The Santa Fe New Mexican
Editor’s note: If the House takes action on this bill tonight there may be an updated version.
Local governments in New Mexico affected by the state’s decision to ban contracts with the federal government to hold immigration detainees could receive “bridge funding” under legislation the Senate passed unanimously Wednesday.
The Senate’s vote to pass Senate Bill 273 came with only around 24 hours before the end of this year’s regular legislative session. The bill, which also cleared two Senate committees with Read More
Robinson: One-sided Clear Horizons Act Failed In Senate
By SHERRY ROBINSON
All She Wrote
© 2026 New Mexico News Services
The Clear Horizons Act was another of those bills we’ve seen so often in New Mexico that balances the environment against the economy. In a floor vote, the Senate chose the economy.
Senate Bill 18 was one of those marquee bills that got a lot of attention before and during the session. Senate President Mimi Stewart, D-Albuquerque, revamped the bill she carried last year. It would help reduce natural disasters driven by climate change if legislators could cement greenhouse gas reductions in state law, supporters believed.
I’m not Read More
Doctors Thank Rep. Christine Chandler For Leadership In Sponsoring, Championing HB 99 Medical Malpractice Reform
By Robert McAtee, MD
Española
By Elena McAtee, MD
Los Alamos
We would like to express our gratitude to Representative Christine Chandler for her leadership in sponsoring and championing HB 99, a long-needed step toward meaningful medical malpractice reform in New Mexico.
Throughout this process, Representative Chandler listened carefully to her constituents, thoroughly researched this complex issue, and then worked diligently to advance thoughtful
solutions. Passing this legislation required navigating significant resistance and complex competing interests, making its success Read More
National History Day Showcase Featuring Local Students’ Projects Presented By Los Alamos Historical Society
Historical Society News:
The Los Alamos Historical Society invites the community to a National History Day Showcase from 6:30-8 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 24 at Fuller Lodge.
Community members are invited to stop by, explore student projects, including exhibit displays, websites, and documentaries, and wish participants well before they advance to the regional competition in Santa Fe.
The 2026 theme for projects is Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History.
National History Day is a nationwide academic program for students in grades 6-12 that promotes in-depth historical research, critical Read More
Bill To Fund New Mexico Universal Child Care Moves Ahead With Significant Cuts
By ESTEBAN CANDELARIA
The Santa Fe New Mexican
A bill to fund New Mexico’s lofty goal of extending free child care to all families appears to be on the fast track to the governor’s desk after the House amended and signed off on the bill.
The chamber passed Senate Bill 241 on a 37-19 vote Tuesday evening after the key House Appropriations and Finance Committee voted overnight to cut the amount the state could pull in coming years from the roughly $11 billion early child trust fund to $700 million from an originally proposed $1 billion. That move was lauded by supporters as a way of ensuring the permanent Read More
Legislative Roundup: 2 Days Left In Session
John SwiftBird and a group of local drummers sing and drum for the Environmental justice rally at the Roundhouse on Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2025. The event was organized by New Mexico No False Solutions (NM NFS) in partnership with grassroots organizations statewide to call upon lawmakers to reject false climate solutions and advance policies that protect our communities, land, water, and public health. Photo by Gabriela Campos/The New Mexican
The Santa Fe New Mexican Staff Report:
Regents commission: New Mexico voters will decide in November whether to create a nominating committee to vet Read More
Sponsor: Bill Banning Sale Of ‘Extremely Dangerous’ Guns Is Dead — For Now
By DANIEL J. CHACÓN AND CLARA BATES
The Santa Fe New Mexican
After being riddled with a slew of proposed amendments in a late-night committee hearing, the most contentious gun control bill of New Mexico’s 30-day session is all but dead.
One of the lead sponsors of Senate Bill 17, Sen. Debbie O’Malley, D-Albuquerque, said Tuesday the measure is unlikely to get another hearing after the House Judiciary Committee delayed a vote early Tuesday morning.
“There’s not enough time to hear it again,” she said.
“Of course, it’s disappointing that we won’t hear that bill,” O’Malley added. “But we’re going Read More
Ringside Seat: Silver-Tongued Jesse And George Of The Mumble
By MILAN SIMONICH
The Santa Fe New Mexican
As public speakers go, the late Jesse Louis Jackson was the best I ever heard. State Sen. George Muñoz might be the worst.
These two men from different worlds of politics intersected in the news this week.
Let’s start with Jackson. I once covered a crowd of 3,000 waiting outdoors on a cold, blustery day in Colorado to hear from him. It was 1988. Jackson was running late as he ran for president.
The audience shivered for 40 minutes without complaint. Secret Service agents assessed the scene and positioned themselves to protect the candidate. They referred Read More
New Mexico Healthcare Just Got Closer To Your Home: Telehealth Booths Bring The Doctor To A Library Near You
STATE News:
SANTA FE – It’s no surprise that accessing healthcare in New Mexico’s sparsely populated and geographically isolated communities is difficult. There is a vast health and broadband “desert” in this state and New Mexico State Library, together with The University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, is working hard to solve this issue through telehealth booths at public libraries.
Designed to fit within a public library space, these 7 x 7 x 10-foot standalone booths are soundproof, private, ADA compliant, and equipped with a computer connected to high-speed internet. Community Read More