Posted inAlbuquerque, NM State Gov.

‘He had such an impact on this city’

A well-known staffer for the American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico — who “distinguished himself as a fiery advocate for equity and justice, especially in the criminal legal system” — died in his sleep Friday night, the organization announced Tuesday.  Barron Jones, the investigation and research manager for ACLU NM, was 54. A cause […]

Posted inHousing & Homelessness, New Mexico Statewide News, NM State Gov.

Legislature put ‘big infusion into housing’

New Mexico’s dual crises of a decrease in affordable housing and an increase in homelessness were hot topics in Santa Fe at the recently concluded legislative session. The New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority, one of the state’s most effective weapons in the fight, was the recipient of some key funding from lawmakers. The somewhat enigmatic […]

Posted inNew Mexico Statewide News, NM State Gov.

Republican New Mexico Senate and House leaders won’t seek reelection

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The top-ranked Republicans in the New Mexico House and Senate won’t seek reelection this year as their party seeks a stronger footing in the Democrat-led Legislature. Senate Republicans are reckoning with the first election since a redistricting plan from Democrats merged GOP-led districts. Senate Republican leader Greg Baca of Belen […]

Posted inNew Mexico Statewide News, NM State Gov.

Gov goes to West Mesa High School to sign public safety bills

By Nicole Maxwell Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed four public safety bills at West Mesa High School on Monday. The bills were ceremoniously signed with members of the legislature, advocacy groups and West Mesa High School students and staff watching and cheering. The public safety bills included a 7-day waiting period for firearm purchases bill, updated firearms […]

Posted inNew Mexico Statewide News, NM State Gov.

State budget includes $200,000 for new task force on missing and murdered Indigenous people

This reporting was supported by the International Women’s Media Foundation’s Fund for Indigenous Journalists: Reporting on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, Two Spirit and Transgender People (MMIWG2T). By Bella Davis/NM In Depth The state budget awaiting Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s signature contains $200,000 for Attorney General Raúl Torrez to create a new task force concentrated on […]

Posted inNew Mexico Statewide News, NM State Gov.

The 72 bills that reached the governor’s desk and those that didn’t

Austin Fisher/Source New Mexico New Mexico lawmakers introduced a total of 658 bills this session, nearly 10 times more than they ended up actually voting to pass onto the governor. By the time the Legislature finished the budget-focused 30-day session on Thursday, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham had signed three bills: House Bill 1, House Bill 141 and House Bill […]