Other than all that’s going on in NM with the legislative session, there is a lot going on at the federal level too. The House has introduced and passed the Laken Riley Act (S. 5), requiring the Homeland Security Department to detain illegal aliens in the U.S. who have been arrested on theft charges. State governments would also be able to sue for legal remedies from the federal government for damages resulting from its failure to enforce immigration laws. All NM Reps., Stansbury, Vasquez, and Leger Fernandez, voted against the bill. According to Leger Fernandez, “There are already existing laws for the detention and deportation of immigrants who commit violent crimes.” Senators Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Lujan also voted against the bill, when it came through their chamber. On

Bad bills are back, and HB 11 – the Paid Family and Medical Leave Act (PFMLA) – is one of the worst. On top of the required 8 days of paid sick leave already mandated by law from 2022, this bill would add 12 more weeks of paid leave annually. To fund it, PFMLA would take 0.5% of employees’ wages and require employers to pay an additional 0.4% on all wages. After more than two hours of discussion and public comment, the House Health and Human Services Committee approved the bill on a party-line 6-4 vote, with Democrats in favor and Republicans opposed. HB 11 now heads to the House Commerce and Economic Development Committee for further consideration. Read more from the ABQ Journal HERE. With inflation hitting hard and

Once again, New Mexico has earned the title of the worst state to raise a family, according to WalletHub’s annual ranking. This is a ranking that is has been consistent every year, in recent memory. New Mexico is ranked 50th out of all states, and the breakdown of the data shows just how tough things are here for families. Our state ranks nearly last in key areas like Education, Health & Safety, and Socioeconomics. New Mexico is at the bottom for Median Family Income, tied for last in violent crime rates per capita, and near the lowest for other critical categories like child care costs, the percentage of families living in poverty, and the separation/divorce rate. These issues paint a troubling picture of life in our state. Check out the

Last night’s 2025 Pre-Legislative BASH (Business and Social Hour) was a massive success! The evening’s special guest, Senate Minority Leader Bill Sharer, delivered an inspiring message about unity and driving positive change in our state. He offered attendees insight into the challenges legislators face and the best ways to get their attention. Senator Sharer encouraged attendees to engage directly with the legislative process, such as attending sessions at the Capitol, meeting with legislators, and testifying in committee hearings. He concluded his comments by saying that New Mexicans do have the power to influence meaningful change. Emails, calls, and in-person efforts can truly impact how legislators vote. After his comments, he stuck around to answer questions and chat with attendees. NMBC also shared updates on key bills and initiatives likely to