Nicole Chavez’s life changed forever in 2015 when her teenage son Jaydon was killed in a drive-by shooting. The tragedy and ensuing drawn-out judicial process in prosecuting those responsible for her son’s death sparked her interest in advocacy and politics. The first-term Republican state representative joins “Around the Roundhouse” to share how the experience has led her on a path to fighting for stiffer penalties for juvenile offenders and also for stronger rehabilitation programs so those who are released from incarceration are integrated into society rather than falling back to a life of crime. 

Chavez also talks about being a rare Republican representative in the Albuquerque area, why she switched from a Democrat to Republican, and what she’s found surprising while serving in her first term in office. She addresses the crime bills she has sponsored during the 60-day session, as well as her disappointment in what she feels is a lack of progress during the session to produce laws that will reduce crime in New Mexico.

Nicole Chavez&rsquo;s life changed forever in 2015 when her teenage son Jaydon was killed in a drive-by shooting. The tragedy and ensuing drawn-out judicial process in prosecuting those responsible for her son&rsquo;s death sparked her interest in advocacy and politics. The first-term Republican state representative joins &ldquo;Around the Roundhouse&rdquo; to share how the experience has led her on a path to fighting for stiffer penalties for juvenile offenders and also for stronger rehabilitation programs so those who are released from incarceration are integrated into society rather than falling back to a life of crime.&nbsp;
Chavez also talks about being a rare Republican representative in the Albuquerque area, why she switched from a Democrat to Republican, and what she&rsquo;s found surprising while serving in her first term in office. She addresses the crime bills she has sponsored during the 60-day session, as well as her disappointment in what she feels is a lack of progress during the session to produce laws that will reduce crime in New Mexico.

The Santa Fe New Mexican’s weekly podcast hosted by state government and lead politics reporter Daniel J. Chacón features the policies, politics and personalities at the state Capitol during New Mexico's 2025 legislative session.

The Santa Fe New Mexican&rsquo;s weekly podcast hosted by state government and lead politics reporter Daniel J. Chac&oacute;n features the policies, politics and personalities at the state Capitol during New Mexico's 2025 legislative session.

Around the Roundhouse

The Santa Fe New Mexican&rsquo;s weekly podcast hosted by state government and lead politics reporter Daniel J. Chac&oacute;n features the policies, politics and personalities at the state Capitol during New Mexico's 2025 legislative session.

Rep. Nicole Chavez shares how tragedy sparked her path to politics

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-being.

In the latest episode of “Around the Roundhouse,” Neymark joins Santa Fe New Mexican state government reporter Clara Bates to discuss his continued work to provide New Mexico’s rural libraries with the funding they need to continue their important work.

Neymark is director of New Mexico Rural Library Initiative, which advocates on behalf of roughly 60 libraries in small villages and tribal communities throughout the state. He plans to push for $29.5 million in the coming legislative session to fully fund the Rural Library Endowment, which was established with his advocacy in the 2019 session to help keep rural libraries afloat.

Neymark says the services rural libraries provide to their communities are more vital than ever amid the recent federal funding cuts. He talks about the limited financial resources libraries are operating with and shares his outlook on the prospects of an increase for the endowment in the upcoming session.

Learn more about the New Mexico Rural Library Initiative at www.nmrurallibraryinitiative.org.

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&rsquo;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-being.
In the latest episode of &ldquo;Around the Roundhouse,&rdquo; Neymark joins Santa Fe New Mexican state government reporter Clara Bates to discuss his continued work to provide New Mexico&rsquo;s rural libraries with the funding they need to continue their important work.
Neymark is director of New Mexico Rural Library Initiative, which advocates on behalf of roughly 60 libraries in small villages and tribal communities throughout the state. He plans to push for $29.5 million in the coming legislative session to fully fund the Rural Library Endowment, which was established with his advocacy in the 2019 session to help keep rural libraries afloat.
Neymark says the services rural libraries provide to their communities are more vital than ever amid the recent federal funding cuts. He talks about the limited financial resources libraries are operating with and shares his outlook on the prospects of an increase for the endowment in the upcoming session.
Learn more about the New Mexico Rural Library Initiative at www.nmrurallibraryinitiative.org.

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

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. For a state that has been awash in new money in recent years, the latest forecast pointed to a change in momentum.

In the latest episode of the “Around the Roundhouse” podcast, Legislative Finance Committee Director Charles Sallee speaks with Santa Fe New Mexican state politics reporter Daniel J. Chacón to provide more information on the downward revenue projections.

Sallee, who has worked with the Legislative Finance Committee since 2005, said that while the projections are directionally bad, the state still has “enormous capacity to do good for New Mexicans.”

Sallee addresses the reasons behind the downward revisions of the revenue forecast and contextualizes the projected revenues compared to prior years.

Sallee also discusses how the state’s trust fund strategy helps support the general fund in an environment with lower oil prices and a dip in revenues.

Chacón asks Sallee if there’s a possibility of lawmakers deciding to raise taxes, and asks what his advice to lawmakers is heading into the upcoming 30-day legislative session.

Economists with the state of New Mexico delivered what Rep. Nathan Small, chair of the Legislative Finance Committee, called a &ldquo;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. For a state that has been awash in new money in recent years, the latest forecast pointed to a change in momentum.
In the latest episode of the &ldquo;Around the Roundhouse&rdquo; podcast, Legislative Finance Committee Director Charles Sallee speaks with&nbsp;Santa Fe New Mexican&nbsp;state politics reporter Daniel J. Chac&oacute;n to provide more information on the downward revenue projections.
Sallee, who has worked with the Legislative Finance Committee since 2005, said that while the projections are directionally bad, the state still has &ldquo;enormous capacity to do good for New Mexicans.&rdquo;
Sallee addresses the reasons behind the downward revisions of the revenue forecast and contextualizes the projected revenues compared to prior years.
Sallee also discusses how the state&rsquo;s trust fund strategy helps support the general fund in an environment with lower oil prices and a dip in revenues.
Chac&oacute;n asks Sallee if there&rsquo;s a possibility of lawmakers deciding to raise taxes, and asks what his advice to lawmakers is heading into the upcoming 30-day legislative session.

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

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 she said she took to heart when making the decision to run for public office.

A rare Republican representing Albuquerque in the state Senate, the first-term legislator is a member of the Senate Finance Committee, the Legislative Finance Committee and now on a new public safety task force convened by Republican lawmakers that plans to push a suite of anti-crime bills during the upcoming 30-day session that begins in January. In the latest episode of the “Around the Roundhouse” podcast, Tobiassen joins Santa Fe New Mexican senior politics reporter Daniel J. Chacón to discuss the purpose of the new task force and what it hopes to accomplish.

Tobiassen shares what came out of the first meeting of the public safety task force earlier this week in Albuquerque, noting bipartisan representation among the presenters. She said the goal is to offer common sense solutions to public safety issues that serve the better good.

Republicans are greatly outnumbered in the Legislature, and Tobiassen spoke on the expected challenges of getting public safety bills heard in the upcoming session. Some public safety priorities she mentioned include increasing penalties for felons in possession of a firearm, bail reform and revisiting the juvenile code.

The Democratic legislators and Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham have not seen eye to eye on public safety legislation the governor has endorsed. Tobiassen spoke on that dynamic and how the Republican legislators and the governor have been more aligned when it comes to public safety.

Tobiassen also discusses the crime issues in Albuquerque, saying “here in Albuquerque, we lock up our laundry detergent, our deodorant, our toothpaste. Go to Walmart or Target, it’s all locked up. We lock up simple necessities that cost dollars, but we don’t lock up the repeat offenders, the repeat violent offenders.”

While running a business coaching firm with her husband in Albuquerque, Nicole Tobiassen said she often hears complaints from her clients that it&rsquo;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 she said she took to heart when making the decision to run for public office.
A rare Republican representing Albuquerque in the state Senate, the first-term legislator is a member of the Senate Finance Committee, the Legislative Finance Committee and now on a new public safety task force convened by Republican lawmakers that plans to push a suite of anti-crime bills during the upcoming 30-day session that begins in January. In the latest episode of the &ldquo;Around the Roundhouse&rdquo; podcast, Tobiassen joins&nbsp;Santa Fe New Mexican&nbsp;senior politics reporter Daniel J. Chac&oacute;n to discuss the purpose of the new task force and what it hopes to accomplish.
Tobiassen shares what came out of the first meeting of the public safety task force earlier this week in Albuquerque, noting bipartisan representation among the presenters. She said the goal is to offer common sense solutions to public safety issues that serve the better good.
Republicans are greatly outnumbered in the Legislature, and Tobiassen spoke on the expected challenges of getting public safety bills heard in the upcoming session. Some public safety priorities she mentioned include increasing penalties for felons in possession of a firearm, bail reform and revisiting the juvenile code.
The Democratic legislators and Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham have not seen eye to eye on public safety legislation the governor has endorsed. Tobiassen spoke on that dynamic and how the Republican legislators and the governor have been more aligned when it comes to public safety.
Tobiassen also discusses the crime issues in Albuquerque, saying &ldquo;here in Albuquerque, we lock up our laundry detergent, our deodorant, our toothpaste. Go to Walmart or Target, it&rsquo;s all locked up. We lock up simple necessities that cost dollars, but we don&rsquo;t lock up the repeat offenders, the repeat violent offenders.&rdquo;

Rep. Nicole Chavez shares how tragedy sparked her path to politics

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