Stefani Lord and John Block are two of the most outspoken members of the state’s Republican House caucus and have developed quite a reputation in the Legislature. The two lawmakers, who share an office, join the latest episode of “Around the Roundhouse” to discuss their close friendship, how they get along with members of both parties, and whether they think their reputation is warranted. 

Lord, R-Sandia Park, and Block, R-Alamogordo, also discuss their thoughts on President Donald Trump’s first weeks back in office. Host Daniel J. Chacón gets their reactions to the federal funding cuts and freezes, as well as the recent layoffs to federal employees. He also asks about their level of concern with LGBTQ+ rights under the Trump administration. 

Getting back to New Mexico’s 60-day legislative session, Chacón asks Lord and Block about the Democrat-sponsored bills they dislike the most and about their favorite bills they’re sponsoring. They say that they support more bipartisan legislation than most people might think.

Stefani Lord and John Block are two of the most outspoken members of the state&rsquo;s Republican House caucus and have developed quite a reputation in the Legislature. The two lawmakers, who share an office, join the latest episode of &ldquo;Around the Roundhouse&rdquo; to discuss their close friendship, how they get along with members of both parties, and whether they think their reputation is warranted.&nbsp;
Lord, R-Sandia Park, and Block, R-Alamogordo, also discuss their thoughts on President Donald Trump&rsquo;s first weeks back in office. Host Daniel J. Chac&oacute;n gets their reactions to the federal funding cuts and freezes, as well as the recent layoffs to federal employees. He also asks about their level of concern with LGBTQ+ rights under the Trump administration.&nbsp;
Getting back to New Mexico&rsquo;s 60-day legislative session, Chac&oacute;n asks Lord and Block about the Democrat-sponsored bills they dislike the most and about their favorite bills they&rsquo;re sponsoring. They say that they support more bipartisan legislation than most people might think.

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.

Stefani Lord and John Block speak on their radical reputations and Trump's first weeks back in power

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 Medical Licensure Compact, which would allow fully licensed physicians in one member state to obtain licenses more quickly in other member states.

State Sen. Linda Trujillo, D-Santa Fe, is a lead on the bill that will be introduced as the 30-day legislative session opens next week. She joins the “Around the Roundhouse” podcast to speak with Santa Fe New Mexican state politics reporter Daniel J. Chacón about the importance of the bill, the changes that have been made since last year, and her level of confidence that the bill will reach the governor’s desk.

Trujillo discusses other bills she’s been working on, including legislation that deals with nontraditional health care options being included in health coverage plans, a bill addressing human trafficking and a juvenile justice bill.

Chacón asks Trujillo, a member of the Legislative Finance Committee, if she anticipates a battle over child care funding between legislators and Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. The LFC’s budget plan that was released last week didn’t fully fund the governor’s free universal child care initiative.

Trujillo also talks about how she preps for the legislative session, what the transition has been like going from the House to the Senate, and how her background as superintendent of the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department has helped her now that she’s back in the Legislature.

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 Medical Licensure Compact, which would allow fully licensed physicians in one member state to obtain licenses more quickly in other member states.
State Sen. Linda Trujillo, D-Santa Fe, is a lead on the bill that will be introduced as the 30-day legislative session opens next week. She joins the &ldquo;Around the Roundhouse&rdquo; podcast to speak with&nbsp;Santa Fe New Mexican&nbsp;state politics reporter Daniel J. Chac&oacute;n about the importance of the bill, the changes that have been made since last year, and her level of confidence that the bill will reach the governor&rsquo;s desk.
Trujillo discusses other bills she&rsquo;s been working on, including legislation that deals with nontraditional health care options being included in health coverage plans, a bill addressing human trafficking and a juvenile justice bill.
Chac&oacute;n asks Trujillo, a member of the Legislative Finance Committee, if she anticipates a battle over child care funding between legislators and Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. The LFC&rsquo;s budget plan that was released last week didn&rsquo;t fully fund the governor&rsquo;s free universal child care initiative.
Trujillo also talks about how she preps for the legislative session, what the transition has been like going from the House to the Senate, and how her background as superintendent of the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department has helped her now that she&rsquo;s back in the Legislature.

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

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 universal child care initiative.

In the latest episode of the “Around the Roundhouse” podcast, Rep. Nathan Small, the LFC chair, joins Santa Fe New Mexican state politics reporter Daniel J. Chacón to discuss the committee’s budget proposal. He delves into how the committee develops its budget recommendations, highlights its priorities, and talks about the key differences between the LFC’s plan and the governor’s.

Small, a Democrat from Las Cruces, also discusses his upbringing in El Cerro Mission, his connection with the outdoors, and how he views the responsibility of being the LFC chair. 

New Mexico&rsquo;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&rsquo;s $11.1 billion spending plan is similar to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham&rsquo;s but doesn&rsquo;t fully fund the governor&rsquo;s free universal child care initiative.
In the latest episode of the &ldquo;Around the Roundhouse&rdquo; podcast, Rep. Nathan Small, the LFC chair, joins&nbsp;Santa Fe New Mexican&nbsp;state politics reporter Daniel J. Chac&oacute;n to discuss the committee&rsquo;s budget proposal. He delves into how the committee develops its budget recommendations, highlights its priorities, and talks about the key differences between the LFC&rsquo;s plan and the governor&rsquo;s.
Small, a Democrat from Las Cruces, also discusses his upbringing in El Cerro Mission, his connection with the outdoors, and how he views the responsibility of being the LFC chair.&nbsp;

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

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 the latest of three Republicans to announce a run for the highest office in the state.

In this week’s episode of the “Around the Roundhouse” podcast, Rodriguez joins Santa Fe New Mexican senior state politics reporter Daniel J. Chacón to explain why he has decided to run for governor, respond to questions about his residency in New Mexico and discuss his personal and professional background.

Chacón questions Rodriguez on his voting history in New Mexico and Arizona. He also asks Rodriguez if he voted for Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election, and to share his thoughts on the president’s second term in office.

Rodriguez, the president and CEO of the Ultra Health cannabis firm, speaks to what led him to enter the cannabis industry. He also discusses how he plans to finance his campaign with the Republican primary just over five months away.

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 the latest of three Republicans to announce a run for the highest office in the state.
In this week&rsquo;s episode of the &ldquo;Around the Roundhouse&rdquo; podcast, Rodriguez joins&nbsp;Santa Fe New Mexican&nbsp;senior state politics reporter Daniel J. Chac&oacute;n to explain why he has decided to run for governor, respond to questions about his residency in New Mexico and discuss his personal and professional background.
Chac&oacute;n questions Rodriguez on his voting history in New Mexico and Arizona. He also asks Rodriguez if he voted for Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election, and to share his thoughts on the president&rsquo;s second term in office.
Rodriguez, the president and CEO of the Ultra Health cannabis firm, speaks to what led him to enter the cannabis industry. He also discusses how he plans to finance his campaign with the Republican primary just over five months away.

Stefani Lord and John Block speak on their radical reputations and Trump's first weeks back in power

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