Gen Z lawmaker Cristina Parajón discusses her path to the Roundhouse and early legislative wins

Cristina Parajón’s first day at the Roundhouse as a lawmaker got off to a bit of an awkward start when the  sergeant-at-arms initially wouldn’t let her in her seat in the House chamber because he thought she looked too young to be a legislator. With some notable early legislative successes, the now…

Sen. Jeff Steinborn pushes for lobbyist transparency, more oversight for data center microgrids

During his years serving in the Legislature, state Sen. Jeff Steinborn has championed and passed a wide variety of legislation including the creation of an independent ethics commission, setting campaign contribution limits and banning the storage of high-level nuclear waste in New Mexico. This yea…

Sen. Linda Trujillo talks interstate licensing compact, child care funding and more as session nears

Residents in communities across New Mexico have felt the impact of a physician shortage that has led to patients facing long wait times and a struggle to schedule appointments. A bipartisan group of state legislators has been working to help improve access to health care through the Interstate Medi…

LFC Chair Nathan Small discusses budget priorities, child care funding ahead of legislative session

New Mexico’s 30-day legislative session is less than two weeks away and the Legislative Finance Committee just released its budget proposal for fiscal year 2027. The committee’s $11.1 billion spending plan is similar to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s but doesn’t fully fund the governor’s free univer…

‘I’m going to ignite a conversation’: Duke Rodriguez discusses his run for New Mexico governor

Duke Rodriguez officially launched his candidacy for governor of New Mexico earlier this month by making the announcement in newspaper advertisements across the state. A former state human services Cabinet secretary who is now among New Mexico's most successful cannabis entrepreneurs, Rodriguez is …

Shel Neymark advocates for New Mexico’s rural libraries to receive greater funding

Shel Neymark helped found the Embed Valley Library in Dixon in 1992 and, over the years, has seen it become a cornerstone of the small community. It’s a place to not only check out books, but also serves as a gathering place and a link to connect residents with resources that support their well-bei…

Legislative Finance Committee Director Charles Sallee addresses drop in New Mexico’s revenue projections

Economists with the state of New Mexico delivered what Rep. Nathan Small, chair of the Legislative Finance Committee, called a “very sobering" revenue forecast to lawmakers Monday, with projections of total new money being revised down to $105.7 million from an August projection of $484.8 million. …

'We lock up our deodorant but not our criminals’: State Sen. Nicole Tobiassen speaks on crime issues

While running a business coaching firm with her husband in Albuquerque, Nicole Tobiassen said she often hears complaints from her clients that it’s becoming harder and harder to be a business owner in New Mexico. Part of her coaching involves encouraging clients to be part of the solution, advice s…

Fireman, substitute teacher Cam Crawford working to strengthen Democrats’ position in New Mexico

A fresh face in state politics, Cam Crawford was elected vice chair of the Democratic Party of New Mexico in April and is working to build momentum for Democrats in an already blue state. On the latest episode of the “Around the Roundhouse” podcast, the 20-something firefighter and substitute teac…

Former Democrat Patricia Salazar looks to revive Republican Party in deep blue Rio Arriba County

The Republican Party has been dormant in Rio Arriba County for years, with Democratic candidates frequently running unopposed in local races and the number of registered Democrats dwarfing the number of Republicans in the county by well over a 2-to-1 margin. A former Democrat is looking to change t…