While virtually all U.S. states struggle with housing affordability and homelessness, the situation in New Mexico is worse than most. A few examples: The median price for a new home is $440,000 — a price that’s unaffordable for 82% of New Mexicans. Median rent is up 60% (versus 27% nationally) and homelessness is up 87% […]
Housing & Homelessness
From Dreamer to Senator: Nava Focuses on Education, Public Safety in Legislative Session
Editor’s note: This is a series profiling our local state legislators, their priorities and issues impacting our Sandoval County throughout the 60-day Legislative Session. In November, Cindy Nava made history when she was elected to the New Mexico state legislature. She became the first former undocumented person and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, (DACA) recipient […]
UNM Health Sciences ending stint at Gateway Center
It’s only been about a year since the city opened a first responder receiving area at the Gateway Center on Gibson Boulevard, but the time to find a new operator has arrived. The University of New Mexico’s Office for Community Health (under the UNM Health Sciences Center umbrella) has held the contract to operate the […]
UNM Health Sciences ending stint at Gateway Center
It’s only been about a year since the city opened a first responder receiving area at the Gateway Center on Gibson Boulevard, but the time to find a new operator has arrived. The University of New Mexico’s Office for Community Health (under the UNM Health Sciences Center umbrella) has held the contract to operate the […]
Bill Aims to Stop Libraries from Banning Books Based on Politics, Ideology
By Nicole Maxwell A bill aimed at protecting public libraries from politically charged book ban attempts is making its way through the Roundhouse. HB 27, the Librarian Protection Act, sponsored by Rep. Kathleen Cates, D-Rio Rancho, seeks to prohibit public libraries from getting state funding unless they adopt a policy prohibiting the removal of books […]
Estancia Goes to Washington to Seek Funding
By Andrea Vasquez The town of Estancia is planning another trip to Washington, D.C., for funding purposes. Mayor Nathan Dial confirmed that Estancia is considering a trip to the nation’s capitol to secure funding for one of the town’s new “big ticket item” project. The project will include a park, pond and pool, with a […]
Alternative to institutionalization, jail faces first legislative test
Proposed legislation crafted to help house and care for thousands of New Mexicans with serious mental illness, substance use disorders and/or brain injuries is scheduled to face its first test in Santa Fe this week when it appears before its first committee. Advocates say the idea will help a population in crisis — which includes […]
Alternative to institutionalization, jail faces first legislative test
Proposed legislation crafted to help house and care for thousands of New Mexicans with serious mental illness, substance use disorders and/or brain injuries is scheduled to face its first test in Santa Fe this week when it appears before its first committee. Advocates say the idea will help a population in crisis — which includes […]
Commentary: Lawmaker’s Proposal Would Chip Away at Public-Records Access
This commentary was submitted by Heath Haussamen, and was originally published at haussamen.com. Disclosure: State Rep. Sarah Silva, D-Las Cruces, who is mentioned in this column, is my spouse. Here’s a good way to alienate the people our government is supposed to serve: Call them bothersome, or even malicious, and cut off their access to information […]
Bill Aims to Stop Libraries from Banning Books Based on Politics, Ideology
By Nicole Maxwell A bill aimed at protecting public libraries from politically charged book ban attempts is making its way through the Roundhouse. HB 27, the Librarian Protection Act, sponsored by Rep. Kathleen Cates, D-Rio Rancho, seeks to prohibit public libraries from getting state funding unless they adopt a policy prohibiting the removal of books […]
