Politics & Government

The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) is inviting residents and stakeholders to participate in shaping the future of pedestrian, cycling, and rolling infrastructure through its Active Transportation Plan (ATP) survey. This initiative aims to significantly enhance safety for vulnerable road users, responding to the state’s alarming pedestrian fatality rate, which is currently the highest…

Family’s Struggle Amid Deportation Threat In a poignant reminder of the ongoing immigration challenges faced by many families, Oscar “Alex” Medrano Lopez, a father of four, finds himself in an immigrant detention center far from home this holiday season. Arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on December 18 while purchasing supplies for work,…

Gabriel Holguin Takes Office In a spirited ceremony held on December 26, 2025, Gabriel Holguin was sworn in as the new mayor of Anthony, New Mexico, marking a significant moment in the city’s history. At just 24 years old, Holguin is now the youngest mayor in the city’s history, having defeated incumbent Diana Murillo in…

Background on the Waiting Period Law In early 2024, New Mexico implemented the Waiting Period Act, which mandated a seven-day waiting period for most firearm purchases. This legislation aimed to mitigate impulsive gun violence and suicides amid rising gun-related incidents across the state. The law was signed by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and included exceptions…

Overview of the Lawsuit New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez has initiated a civil lawsuit against three Texas oil and gas operators for allegedly exploiting a network of shell companies to evade their responsibilities related to hundreds of oil and gas wells in New Mexico. The lawsuit, filed in the 1st Judicial District Court in…

Overview of Keller’s Mayoral Tenure Tim Keller, Albuquerque’s mayor since 2017, has made history by securing a third consecutive term in office, a milestone that reflects strong voter confidence. Born and raised in Albuquerque, Keller’s political journey began in the New Mexico State Senate, followed by his tenure as State Auditor, where he implemented significant…

Overview of the Budget Proposal Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has introduced a significant $11.3 billion budget proposal for the fiscal year 2026, aimed at addressing key priorities including public sector pay raises and universal child care funding. This plan represents a $503 million increase in state spending, marking a 4.6% rise from the previous year…

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has expressed disappointment regarding the effectiveness of the National Guard’s recent deployment in Albuquerque, which was initiated to assist the police department in combatting crime. The deployment, which began in mid-May 2025 and cost approximately $7 million, aimed to alleviate the workload on sworn officers by having Guardsmen perform non-law-enforcement tasks….

Legislators Respond to Rising Juvenile Crime Rates As New Mexico gears up for its 2026 legislative session, the spotlight is firmly on juvenile crime, with lawmakers advocating for significant policy changes. In a recent six-hour listening session in Las Cruces, Republican legislators gathered testimonies from a diverse group of stakeholders, including police officers, school leaders,…

Mandatory Participation for 55,000 New Mexicans Starting January 1, 2026, approximately 55,000 residents of New Mexico who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will be required to fulfill new work, volunteering, or educational obligations. This federal mandate targets able-bodied adults aged 18 to 64 who do not have children under 14 to care for,…