The Albuquerque Journal Editorial Opinion pages feature 5 types of opinion columns submitted for publication: those by the paper’s Editorial Board, those by the paper’s Community Council, those by Syndicated Columnists, those by Local Columnists and those by Local Voices.

“Local Columnists are tasked with carrying a heavy load of responsibility to help readers scrutinize issues impacting them, their community and their country. It is the Journal’s goal to publish columnists from all walks of life and varying political viewpoints to give readers exposure to all sides of local issues.”

On October 6,  the  Albuquerque Journal published on its editorial opinion page the below “Local Columnist” opinion column by Bernalillo County Metropolitan Judge Arsa Elliot who presides over the court’s “Outreach Court” that deals with the homeless.

JOURNAL EDITOR’S HEADLINE –  “OUT REACH COURT: A SMALL PIECE OF THE PUZZLE”

BY ARSA ELLIOT, LOCAL COLUMNIST

“Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court’s Outreach Court, previously known as Homeless Court, provides people who are unhoused or precariously housed an opportunity to resolve pending misdemeanor cases, outstanding warrants and unpaid fines, which can pose barriers to housing and employment opportunities and hinder progress toward self-sufficiency. Outreach Court has been gaining the attention of our city and county leaders, law enforcement agencies and members of the public as our community struggles to find solutions for the complex problem of homelessness. As the judge presiding over Outreach Court, I am grateful for the community interest in the program and hope to provide helpful information about how the program works and can be best utilized.

Outreach Court is unique from the Metropolitan Court’s other specialty courts because it is designed to reward and support participants who have already taken the first steps to reclaim their lives and resolve outstanding cases; defendant buy-in is a prerequisite. This self-motivation is critical because participation in Outreach Court is voluntary. Success is dependent on participants’ own momentum toward further progress and stability, rather than completion or compliance with certain requirements imposed by the court.

The program accepts a variety of misdemeanor cases already pending in Metropolitan Court — generally, the types of cases precipitated by homelessness, like unlawful camping, trespassing, parking tickets and administrative vehicle offenses that often follow when a person has been living on the streets or in a vehicle. While Outreach Court seeks to assist as many motivated individuals as possible, each case and defendant are subject to individual review, including consultation with possible victims or affected parties, prior to acceptance. Certain misdemeanor cases or defendants are automatically disqualified from participation in Outreach Court, including DWI cases and defendants who have a violent felony conviction within the last seven years or an outstanding warrant in another jurisdiction.

Referrals to Outreach Court must be initiated by a community provider already assisting the defendant with housing, employment, education, behavioral or substance use treatment, or another social support program. Once accepted into Outreach Court, participants work with their case manager from the community provider to design a plan to move toward self-sufficiency.

The Outreach Court review team, which includes the prosecutor and defense attorney, meets monthly to review each case manager’s report on their assigned participant’s background, efforts in the program over the course of 30 to 90 days, improvements in their life, and goals for further participation and progress. Based on the case manager’s report, and upon agreement of the Outreach Court review team, the court acknowledges the participant’s efforts and progress by either dismissing the case or accepting the participant’s work in satisfaction of any remaining financial obligations and closing the case.

Although the court was unable to hold graduation ceremonies during the pandemic, we were happy to announce the resumption of in-person graduation ceremonies in 2024. The ceremonies typically involve 10 to 20 participants and their guests, graciously hosted by a volunteer community provider. The court personally recognizes each participant’s accomplishments in reclaiming their lives and their value as members of the community. Participants are presented with their signed dismissal paperwork, certificate of completion of Outreach Court and a small gift.

The graduation ceremonies are heartwarming but can be nerve-wracking to prepare for — knowing and remembering each participant’s story is a way of conveying the court’s appreciation of their efforts. Participants often arrive dressed in their best and accompanied by proud friends, family and children, and case managers. They mingle over food and refreshments in an unassuming, tiled community room equipped with folding cafeteria tables. Meeting the participants in person, witnessing their pride in themselves, and having the opportunity to publicly recognize their accomplishments and progress is tremendously gratifying. Their gratitude is incredibly humbling, and, if I am lucky, a participant might even ask me to be in a photograph with them. The issues of homelessness and intersecting crime pose a complicated and confounding puzzle. Outreach Court on its own cannot solve the problem, but it is a small piece of the puzzle the court can deliver.

Arsa Elliott is a judge in Division I of the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court. For more information about Outreach Court, please visit the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Cout’s website:

https://metro.nmcourts.gov/bernalillo-county-metropolitan-court/specialty-courts/outreach-court/.

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CARE  REFORM  PACKAGE

During the 2025 regular session of the New Mexico legislature, the Behavioral Health Reform Package was enacted. On February  22, the New Mexico legislature gave final approval to 3 Senate Bills that make sweeping changes to how New Mexico’s mental health and drug abuse treatment programs are run statewide. All three bills taken together are known as the Behavioral Health Reform Package.

On February 27, 2025 Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed into law the Behavioral Health Care Reform Package. The following is a description of each of the enacted Senate Bills:

Senate Bill 1: This bill creates the Behavioral Health Trust Fund for the state of New Mexico to support mental health and substance abuse treatment, prevention, and intervention programs throughout the state. The behavioral health trust fund will be invested by the State Investment Council. The trust fund will distribute 5% of its annual value to fund the programs and support investments in necessary infrastructure, technology, and workforce development to facilitate the expansion of services. The fund could also help New Mexico unlock matching funds from federal, local, and private sources. One major change made  to Senate Bill 1 was  removing a $1 billion appropriation for the new proposed trust fund.  Money for the new fund is now expected to be provided in a separate budget bill during this year’s 60-day session.

Senate Bill 2: This bill allocates $200 million to expand regional behavioral health services such as crisis response and outpatient care. The bill appropriates the funding to the New Mexico  Administrative Office of the Courts and various state agencies to set up a new framework for behavioral health programs statewide.

Senate Bill 3:  This bill requires regional plans be crafted for providing mental health and substance abuse treatment. The plans would be overseen by the state judicial branch and would include time lines and regional funding priorities.

The Behavioral Health Reform Package had a total of 19 bipartisan sponsors, led by Senators George Muñoz (D-Gallup) and Liz Stefanics (D-Cerrillos).  During the 2025 Legislative session, House and Senate Democrats worked together to make  record investments in behavioral healthcare and substance use treatment programs to give New Mexicans the help they need when they need it. Speaker of the House Javier Martínez (D-Albuquerque) said this:

“Throughout the interim, we worked closely with our colleagues in the Senate to develop a multi-faceted plan to address our state’s behavioral healthcare needs and improve public safety statewide. … This session, we have worked quickly and thoughtfully to deliver on our promise to advance meaningful legislation that will make our communities safer right away and address long-standing gaps in services for this generation and the next.”

JUDICIARY IN CHARGE OF NEW MENTAL HEALTH CARE MODEL

Under the passed legislation, the new mental health care model places the state judiciary in charge of planning while leaving the state Health Care Authority largely in charge of overseeing funding. This is a significant change from the current system  that largely falls under the executive branch’s jurisdiction.

The legislation increases accountability by requiring regional plans outlining priorities for providing mental health and substance abuse treatment. The new trust fund will provide annual funding to support the regional plans, which would largely be overseen by the state’s judiciary.

CIVIL MENTAL HEALTH COMMITMENTS VIABLE OPTION

During the 2025 regular session of the New Mexico legislature, the legislature enacted House Bill 4  referred to as the Omnibus Crime Package. It included 6 bills, one of which is the criminal competency legislation. It specifically requires that competency evaluators determine whether defendants are dangerous to themselves or others.

The enacted Omnibus Crime Package  gives prosecutors more options to involuntarily commit people into a locked psychiatric facility if they are found to be dangerous to themselves or others and unable to stand trial.

Under House Bill 4, when a court determines that a defendant is not competent to proceed in a criminal case the court shall determine if the defendant is dangerous.  A defendant who is not competent is dangerous if the court finds clear and convincing evidence that the defendant presents a serious threat of:

(1) inflicting great bodily harm, as defined in Section 30-1-12 NMSA 1978, on another person;

(2) committing criminal sexual penetration, as provided in Section 30-9-11 NMSA 1978;

(3) committing criminal sexual contact of a minor, as provided in Section 30-9-13 NMSA 1978; (4) committing abuse of a child, as provided in Subsection D of Section 30-6-1 NMSA 1978;

(5) violating a provision of the Sexual Exploitation of Children Act;

(6) committing human trafficking, as provided in Section 30-52-1 NMSA 1978;

(7) committing a felony involving the use of a firearm; or

(8) committing aggravated arson, as provided in Section 30-17-6 NMSA 1978.

The link to review House Bill 4 is here:

https://legiscan.com/NM/text/HB4/2025

After a competency hearing, and if a defendant is found not to be competent, a judge then decides whether the defendant poses a threat to themselves or others. Based on that determination, a defendant is either ordered to attend an assisted outpatient treatment program or sent to the state Behavioral Health Institute in Las Vegas, New Mexico.  The problem is there is a shortage of available facilities to send those committed for treatment with funding to build such facilities in the Behavioral Health legislation.

METROPOLITAN COURT TO DETERMINE COMPETENCY

During the recent Special Session of the New Mexico legislature that ended on October 2, the legislature enacted legislation which allows the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court to determine competency which previously only allowed District Court involvement. A recent report by the New Mexico Justice Reinvestment Working Group found that 65% of individuals who enter the state’s criminal justice system have a behavioral health need and the criminal justice system cannot provide necessary medical treatment and facilities.

As noted by Metropolitan Judge Arsa Elliott in her Albuquerque Journal guest opinion column, the “Outreach Court”  provides people who are unhoused with the opportunity to resolve pending misdemeanor cases, outstanding warrants and unpaid fines, all of which can pose barriers to housing and employment opportunities and hinder progress toward self-sufficiency. The “Outreach Court” can and should do more when it comes to the homeless who suffer from severe mental illness or who are drug addicted and are a danger to themselves and others.

During last year’s 2024  Special Session, legislators appropriated $3 million to ramp up court-ordered assisted outpatient treatment programs for individuals with mental illness in three judicial districts.  The behavioral health legislation puts the judiciary in charge of planning while leaving the state Health Care Authority largely in charge of overseeing funding.

The City of Albuquerque has a  spent a staggering $300 Million over the last three years  and is spending upwards of $60 Million a year to provide assistance to so few, estimated to be between 3,000  to 5,000 unhoused. However upwards of 75% of the chronic  unhoused refuse services. There has got to a better way than just throwing money at the problem.

The blunt reality is Albuquerque is now New Mexico’s capitol  for the  homeless service because of referrals made from throughout the state and thanks to Mayor Keller’s 5 integrated shelters known as the GATEWAY system and the Albuquerque City Council acquiescence. The City is managing the homeless who are from far beyond the city’s borders. The City and the State’s unhoused numbers are getting worse and not better after spending millions.

A 2025 report by the city found 30% of individuals experiencing homelessness self-report having a serious mental illness, 25% self-report having a substance use disorder and around 66% experience some form of mental health condition. The biggest problem is that upwards of 75% of the chronic, emergency unhoused simply refuse city services, yet the city continues with spending  millions a year to benefit few.

FORM SPECIALIZED UNIT

It is likely that the Albuquerque Police Department and the city Community Safety Department know who the “frequent flyers” are and who need to be taken immediately off the streets because they pose and immediate threat to themselves and others.  Both departments could and should assist the District Attorney or the City Attorney with civil mental health commitments of the unhoused and file civil mental commitment actions.

The Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office and the Albuquerque City Attorney should form specialized unit to deal exclusively with civil mental commitment actions in the Metropolitan Court’s “Out Reach Court” with the state or courts providing funding and medical services through the the Behavioral Health Trust Fund provided for in the Behavioral Health Reform Package.

It is understood The Gateway Shelter on Gibson, which is the former Lovelace Medical Center and Hospital, is still largely vacant and has upwards of 200 patient rooms that are vacant. The Gateway Shelter on Gibson should be utilized for referrals by the Metropolitan Court’s “Out Reach Court” with the State providing mental health services to those committed for mental health and substance abuse treatment.

The link to a related article is here:

2025 New Mexico Legislative Update: Legislature Passes Historic Behavioral Health Care Package; Criminal Competency Legislation Passes As Part Of Six Bill Omnibus Crime Package; Sweeping Changes Made To States Behavioral Health Care System 12 Years After Destroyed By Republican Governor Susana Martinez

Albuquerque voters will have five City Council contests to decide in the city’s November 4 election. The city council’s odd-numbered districts of 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 will all be on the ballot. District 1 is an open seat with 4 running for the seat while the incumbent Democrat has given up his seat to run for Mayor. The three incumbents in Districts 3, 5, and 9 have challengers who have qualified for the ballot. District 7 Incumbent Democrat Tammy Fiebelkorn is opposed by Democrat Jaemes Shanley who has been qualified as a “write in” candidate by the Bernalillo County Clerk who is responsible for administering local elections including the city’s municipal election, the public school board and AMAFCA.

District 7 is the mid heights city council district. The district is predominantly very  established neighborhoods surrounding the uptown retail business district including the Commons, Winrock and Coronado Shopping Centers. The District boundaries are generally Montgomery Boulevard on the North, I-25 on the West, Lomas on the South and Eubank on the East.

On July 7, Tammy Feibelkorn qualified for the ballot by submitting 500 nominating petitions signatures. She submitted the required $5.00 donations for public finance and has been given $58,205.00 to run her campaign.

On September 2, Jaemes Shanley filed with the Bernalillo County Clerk his declaration of candidacy as a write in candidate  along with the required 500 nominating petition signatures to run for City Council and Jaemes Shanley is a privately financed candidate. His name will not appear on the ballot and voters are required to write in his name in the box provided on the ballot.

COMMENTARY AND ANALYSIS

Incumbent Democrat City Councilor Tammy Fiebelkorn was first elected to the City Council in 2021 in a runoff election. Fiebelkorn was born in Grants, NM and has lived in District 7 for 20 years. She is the current Chair of the City Council’s Land Use, Planning and Zoning Committee despite having no prior experience nor background in land use law and planning and zoning matters and appeals.

During her city council tenure, Fiebelkorn has concentrated on major land use initiatives and zoning changes. Within the  first six months of her term, she focused on gerrymandering her district to exclude predominantly Republican voters to ensure her reelection. Her gerrymandering effort failed. Fiebelkorn then concentrated on zoning changes to the city’s zoning laws to increase density throughout the city by falsely arguing it would increase affordable housing. It will not. She sponsored ordinances affecting renters and property owners rights and remedies, supported virtually all funding of over $300 million for assistance and shelter for the unhoused, and supported city sanctioned safe outdoor space encampments for the homeless. She is considered a vocal and staunch animal rights advocate on the City Council.

The postscript below contains a detailed listing of city legislation Feibelkorn voted for or sponsored reflecting a record of failure.

First term Progressive City Councilor Tammy Feibelkorn is considered highly unpopular within City Council District 7 because of her sponsorship or support of controversial major legislation that has failed to be enacted by the city council during her four-year tenure and her advocacy of a personal agenda.

Four years ago, I voted with enthusiasm for Tammy Fiebelkorn as my District 7 City Councilor. The council district is the mid heights area of the city that includes uptown that I represented as a city councilor from 1985 to1989 when it was District 5 before redistricting. I have lived in the district area for 50 plus years.

When I voted for Fiebelkorn, I firmly believed she possessed the necessary talent and skills to represent the best interest of all neighborhoods and all constituents in the district.  Boy was I dead wrong. I quickly learned Fiebelkorn promotes her own personal agenda. She simply does not act in the best interests of her district nor of her constituents. She refuses to listen.    

During the four years  she has been my City Councilor, Tammy Fiebelkorn has exhibited a pattern of downright hostility towards constituents who oppose or who disagree with her votes on policy and legislation to the point she goes out of her way to offend them. She is not at all interested in carrying on with a civil dialog.  Although known for attending the District 7 Neighborhood Coalition meetings to give updates on what is happening in the  district, she lectures and repeatedly takes issue with those who disagree with her at the meetings and who ask her politely to reconsider positions.

Feibelkorn  interrupts  her constituents and abruptly says  “No, I have made up my mind” and simply refuses to change her mind. She goes out of her way to insult and offend those who oppose her saying she knows what’s good for the district as she professes ignorance. On more than one occasion when questioned about legislation she is sponsoring at the request of Mayor Tim Keller and asked to summarize the legislation, she has said she has not read the legislation and  tells her constituents they need to read it for themselves and listen to council debate.

A good example of her offensive attitude is when she  told the officers and members  of the District 7 Neighborhood Coalition, which boasts membership of 10 neighborhood associations, that the coalition did not reflect the needs and concerns of District 7 and that she knows better than they do. When a male constituent pointed out that one of her responsibilities as a city councilor was to help solve constituent problems and address their concerns, Fiebelkorn said she did not need anyone to “mansplain” to her what she needed to do as a city councilor revealing that she is a sexist. Feibelkorn is known to be very difficult to work with by city council staff and she has had upwards of 5 constituent service assistants who she has either fired or who have just quit.

Albuquerque City Councilor Tammy Fiebelkorn is the epitome of what is so very wrong with the Albuquerque City Council today and its arrogance. Fiebelkorn is an elected official who will do and say anything to win an election and to get her own way.  Once elected, she ignored her constituent’s needs and concerns and advocated her own hidden, personal politcal agenda over the objections of her own constituents. She simply does not listen and does what she damn well feels like doing. Her reputation is one of being highly abrasive, engages in personal insults and is condescending and dismissive with anyone who disagrees with her.

The postscript below delineates with great specifics the failed record of Albuquerque City Councilor Tammy Fiebelkorn.

VOTE TO ELECT JAEMES SHANLEY DISTRICT 7 CITY COUNCLIOR

It is time that the voters of District 7 thank City Councilor Tammy Fiebelkorn for her service and refuse to vote for her for a second four-year term as City Councilor. Jaemes Shanley represents a real alternative of substance to Tammy Feibekorn, but it will require a little extra effort by voters to write in his name on the ballot. Under New Mexico law, write in candidates must be allowed for city council, but they must first qualify by collecting 500 nominating petition signatures in order for votes cast for them to be counted, something Shanley accomplished in a few weeks by going door to door in District 7.

Democrat Jaemes Shanley is the President of the Mark Twain Neighborhood Association located in the mid heights and is the Vice President of the District 7 Coalition of Neighborhoods which boasts membership of 14 neighborhood associations.

Shanley first arrived in Albuquerque in August 1969, after graduating High School in England, to attend UNM from which he graduated in 1973. His parents followed a year later, and his father retired in Albuquerque after a 30-year career as a US Naval aviator.  In 1971,  the Shanley family  purchased a home in the Mark Twain neighborhood where his mother and father resided for the remainder of their lives.

Jaemes worked a lifetime in the private sector in sales and marketing for various corporations in the United States, Australia, and Japan. His work required extensive travel throughout Asia Pacific and Latin America routinely on the ground in more than 30 countries. Jaemes and his wife returned to Albuquerque in September 2006 to renovate and take up residence in his parent’s Mark Twain neighborhood home where they reside today, becoming actively involved with Neighborhood Associations.

The first phase of early voting started on October 7  with absentee ballots being sent out to voters and in-person voting opening at the Downtown Clerk’s Annex, 1500 Lomas NW. Expanded early voting will then begin on Oct. 18, and will end three days before Election Day on November 4.

There is very little doubt that Jaemes Shanely will represent the best interests of District 7. All registered District 7 voters are encouraged to write his name in on the ballot.

The Jaemes Shanley campaign has produced a video wherein he expresses why he is running and that outlines his platform. Please click on the below https address  to review the video:

https://vimeo.com/1124086966?&login=true#_=_

POSTSCRIPT

THE FAILED RECORD OF CITY COUNCILOR TAMMY FIEBELKORN

When you examine Tammy  Fiebelkorn’s legislative record as a city councilor, you quickly discover she promotes her own personal agenda.  She does so  with little or no concern and many times with no input for what her constituents really want.

Following are the most egregious examples of City Councilor Tammy Fiebelkorn promoting her own personal agenda over the best interests of her constituents:

ATTEMPT TO GERRYMANDER CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT

2022 was the year for redistricting of all 9 city council districts mandated by the  the United States Census. In June, 2022 , a mere 7 months after she was elected to the City Council,  progressive Democrat City Councilor Tammy Fiebelkorn teamed up with then fellow progressive Democrat Pat Davis and sponsored a city council redistricting map that was the most radical of all the six maps submitted and voted upon by the full city council.

The Davis/Fiebelkorn District 6 and District 7 maps reflected a dramatic departure changed drastically  the borders of both districts. Their concept map essentially gutted both City Council Districts and carved them up to the benefit of Tammy Fiebelkorn to give advantage to Fiebelkorn for her reelection.

Under the Davis/Fiebelkorn concept map, District 7 would have kept part of its existing Northeast Heights area, but then would have sweep west of District 6 and taken up the Nob Hill area and the Mesa del Sol development area. Both the International District and the Nob Hill areas are considered highly progressive Democrat and are in City Council District 6 represented by then City Councilor Pat Davis.

The Nob Hill area along Central under the Davis/Fiebelkorn redistricting concept map would have  been shifted to District 7 and be represented by City Councilor Fiebelkorn and would have jettison south to include the Mesa Del Sol development.  The International District  in the Southeast Heights would have remained in the newly aligned District 6 but the State Fairgrounds area and the Uptown area including Coronado Shopping Center and Winrock would have been shifted from District 7 to District 6, which many consider Republican. It was the classic definition of “gerrymandering” to protect an incumbent .

The Davis/Fiebelkorn District 6 and District 7 maps were rejected by the city council and came in last on the voting.

SAFE OUTDOOR SPACES

Fiebelkorn is a major proponent and staunch supporter of “Safe Outdoor Spaces” which are city sponsored managed homeless encampments with 40 designated spaces for tents that allows for upwards of 50 people, require hand washing stations, toilets and showers, require a management plan, 6 foot fencing and social services offered.  Fiebelkorn  voted for the changes to the city zoning laws that allows Safe Outdoor Spaces in all 9 City Council Districts.

Safe Outdoor Spaces became one of the most divisive issues in the city and for the city council with property owners, neighborhoods and neighborhood associations demanding repeal.  Three attempts were made to repeal  safe outdoor spaces legislation that passed on a 5-4 vote, but were vetoed by Mayor Keller.  The city council failed to override the veto with the mandatory 6 votes.  Fiebelkorn refused to vote to override Keller’s veto despite efforts made by neighborhood associations to convince her to change her vote.

Fiebelkorn  sponsored legislation that failed that would have empowered the City Planning Department to unilaterally approve all Safe Outdoor Space Applications and eliminate the public’s right to challenge and appeal the applications and eliminated City Council intervention.

On June 28, 2025 Mayor Tim Keller announced legislation to make major changes to the city’s Integrated Development Ordinance (IDO) governing Safe Outdoor Spaces. The legislation was sponsored by Progressive Democrat City Councilor Nichole Rogers at Mayor Keller’s request and was openly supported by City Councilor Tammy Feibelkorn.

Mayor Keller said  he wanted  to ease  all Safe Outdoor Space requirements to allow expansion of the program with the goal of  increasing the number. Mayor Keller said the city needed  to “scale up” by allowing smaller encampments all over the city. Keller said there are individuals either who are not ready for traditional shelters or can’t find available housing. Keller said to meet the need, the city may need as many as 100 smaller Safe Outdoor Spaces to accommodate 1,000 homeless.

Major changes to the Integrated Development Ordinance governing Safe Outdoor Spaces Mayor Keller wanted  to make were:

• Relax the rule requiring 24/7 on-site security a cost that eliminates 99% of people who establish safe outdoor spaces on their property.
• Drop the rule requiring on-site showers 24/7. Instead, mobile trailers would rotate between locations throughout the week.
• Eliminate the requirement for a dedicated space for service providers.
• Establish $100 application fees and $50 renewal fees, with permits lasting 12 months before requiring renewal.

The legislation easing restrictions on Safe Outdoor Spaces was voted down and failed on a 2 to 3 in the Land Use Planning and Zoning Committee chaired by Tammy Fiebelkorn. Progressive Democrats Tammy Fiebelkorn and Nichole Rogers voted “YES” and Republican Council President Brook Bassan, Renée Grout and Dan Champine voting “NO” to ease Safe Outdoor Space requirements.   The committee then voted 3 to 2 to send the legislation on to the full city council with a “DO NOT PASS” recommendation.

RESIDENTIAL TENANT PROTECTIONS ORDINANCE

City Councilor Tammy Fiebelkorn advocated for inclusion of rent control measures in the 2023 City of Albuquerque New Mexico legislative package. Historically, the New Mexico legislature has repeatedly and overwhelmingly rejected rent control measures, and they did so in 2023.

Upset with the New Mexico legislature rejecting rent control measures, Fiebelkorn sponsored her Residential Tenant Protections Ordinance. It failed at city council on a 4-5 vote. The ordinance was a form of rent control and attempted to regulate or eliminate fees that are a part of the application process. Feibelkorn’s ordinance interfered with private contract rights of both landlord and tenants. The ordinance required landlords to disclose to potential applicants all applications and fees which are provided for in the lease agreement.

The ordinance mandated that each time a property owner imposed a fee, they were required to supply documentation proving and justifying their costs to the tenant and the city. The ordinance would have dictated the lease application process and mandated how many applications could  be processed at a time.  Fiebelkorn herself said this about her Residential Tenant Protections Ordinance:

“Most of the landlords in our city are fair, transparent, very clear with what folks are going to get. It’s the few that are making it really hard.”

What Fiebelkorn essentially said with her sponsorship is she wanted to make the entire apartment rental  industry miserable with city fees and bureaucratic mandates because “It’s the few that are making it really hard.” 

https://www.krqe.com/news/albuquerque-metro/albuquerque-city-council-to-vote-on-renter-protection-ordinance/

RENTER’S EMPOWERMENT AND NEIGHBORHOOD TRANSPARENCY ORDINANCE (RENT ORDINANCE)

The Renter’s Empowerment and Neighborhood Transparency (RENT) Ordinance was sponsored by  City Councilor Tammy Feiblekorn at the request of Mayor Tim Keller. The key provisions of Keller’s RENT ordinance were identical to the requirements that were in Fiebelkorn’s original Residential Tenant Protections Ordinance.

Simply put, the new RENT Ordinance was a sneaky and pathetic rewrite and rebranding of Feibelkorn’s rejected Residential Tenant Protections Ordinance that was ultimately rejected and voted down by the City Council. The RENT ordinance represented a major step towards rent control which was rejected by New Mexico legislature in 2023.

Real property rights are favored under the law and the ordinance was an assault on well-established real property rights and remedies. The RENT ordinance would have given renters more rights and remedies over landlords and property owners dictating how rental property is managed. The Keller Administration and Feibelkorn argued that the RENT Ordinance built on the requirements outlined in the state’s Uniform Owner-Resident Relations Act. It did not. It expanded the rights of tenants to the detriment of property owner’s rights. It would have  increased the rules and regulations for landlords, prohibit what was defined as hidden fees, mandate terms in the lease contracts, and mandate maintenance of rental properties over and above what is required by law. Requiring more of property owners and landlords and less of tenants amounts to interference with property contract rights and obligations.

https://www.cabq.gov/mayor/news/city-introduces-renters-bill-of-rights-to-protect-tenants

The RENT ordinance failed in committee on a 2 to 3 vote with Progressive Democrats Tammy Fiebelkorn and Nichole Rogers voting “YES” and Republican Council President Brook Bassan, Renée Grout and Dan Champine voting “NO”.  The committee then voted 3 to 2 to send the ordinance on to the full city council with a “DO NOT PASS” recommendation.

Simply put, there is no need for the RENT Ordinance. The NM Legislature’s enacted Uniform Owner-Resident Relations Act enumerates the duties, responsibilities, rights and remedies of both owners and tenants which are enforced by the Bernalillo County Metro Court. Requiring more of property owners and landlords and less of tenants amounts to interference with property rights and contract rights and obligations between tenants and property owners.

The proposed RENT ordinance was too burdensome and constituted classic government overreaching. The RENT Ordinance is a clear interference with the operation and management of rental properties and it would have a detrimental impact on the rental industry. It would have had the unintended consequence of increasing already high rents as property owners and landlords scrambled to take repeated steps to implement and comply with the ordinance each and ever time a new lease was negotiated or renewed.

RESIDENTIAL RENTAL PERMIT ORDINANCE

Fiebelkorn sponsored the “Residential Rental Ordinance” which provided that  “No person shall operate any residential rental property without a Residential Rental Property Permit (RRPP) from the City of Albuquerque”. The city has never required real property owners to secure a permit to rent their residential properties. This would have included owners who owned one single rental home.

The ordinance would have created a new permitting process for all rental units which would include various annual fees for landlords and property owners paid to the city. The permit ordinance imposed daunting disclosure requirements to the city that are a repetition of information contained in documents already on file and easily accessible or in the possession of the city, county and state government.

Requiring disclosure of lease contract information for tenants, property owners and landlords and basic details about each unit amounts to interference with private contract rights and privacy rights. The ordinance failed to be enacted by the city council. The resolution was an attempt to limit and place caps on ownership of short term rentals and enact regulations of  the “bed and breakfast” rental  industry in the city.  It was an effort to force properties to be sold  for sale as effort to increase affordable housing.

KELLER’S “HOUSING FORWARD ABQ PLAN”

It was on  October 18, 2022, that  Mayor Tim Keller announced his “Housing Forward ABQ Plan”. Feibelkorn became the biggest supporter and sponsor of “Housing Forward ABQ Plan” legislation going so far as to appear next to Keller during news conferences to announce his initiatives. It is a “multifaceted initiative” where Keller set the goal of adding 5,000 new housing units across the city by 2025 above and beyond what private industry normally creates each year.

According to Keller and Feibelkorn, the city is in a major “housing crisis” and the city needs between 13,000 and 30,000 new housing units. To add the 5,000 new housing units, Keller proposed  that the City of Albuquerque fund and be involved with the construction of new low-income housing.  The “Housing Forward ABQ Plan”  includes the strategy of  “motel conversions” where the city buys existing motels or commercial office space and converts them into low-income housing.  It included allowing both “casitas” and duplex additions on existing residential properties.

City officials have said that 68% of the city’s existing housing is single-family detached homes with 120,000 existing residential lots with already built residences.  Amendments to the city’s zoning laws would have allowed one “casita” and one “accessory dwelling” unit on all built out lots which could double density to 240,000  housing units  or triple density to 360,000 housing units.’

City Councilor Fiebelkorn did not attend a single one of the 5 public meetings sponsored by the Keller Administration on Mayor Keller’s Housing Forward ABQ Plan.  Fiebelkorn simply ignored  the strong hostility and opposition expressed by hundreds who attended the Housing Forward ABQ Plan meetings

Fiebelkorn supported and voted for major amendments to the city’s zoning laws in Kellers “Housing Forward ABQ Plan” that would have allowed the development of both “casitas” and “duplexes” in all existing residential developments and areas of town as permissive uses eliminating historic appeal rights of adjoining property owners in order to double or triple the city’s density. All the amendments to the city zoning laws Fiebelkorn voted for favored developers at the expense of homeowners and especially historical areas of the city.

OPT IN ZONING LEGISLATION

City Councilor Tammy Feibelkorn sponsored R 25-167 which was the “opted in” zoning law ordinance to create a voluntary rezoning process that would let property owners switch to higher-density zoning if they want to build more housing on their residential properties. The Planning Department would have had very broad authority to increase density with adjoining property owners having no rights to object. It would have  allow duplexes, townhomes and small apartment buildings in single-family neighborhoods to increase density.

Feibelkorn proclaimed the “opted in” zoning law  would  increase affordable housing. It would not have.  Feibelkorn has a “Field of Dreams” zoning philosophy of  “if we rezone it, they will build it,” ignoring adjacent property owner rights, favoring developers and investors.  Feibelkorn “opt-in” zoning ordinance was clearly “overkill” that would  affect all quadrants of the city favoring developers and investors. It would have destroyed the character of established neighborhoods and lead to gentrification. It would have been developers and investors on the prowl who will purchase existing homes for the development of duplexes, townhomes and small apartment buildings in single-family neighborhoods.

OPPOSED “PEDESTRIAN SAFETY ORDINANCE”

The city council voted 7-2 to enact the amended  “Pedestrian Safety Ordinance” which  specifically bars individuals from standing in or entering street and highway travel lanes unless they are “legally crossing.”  The original ordinance was challenged in court by the ACLU as being too broad violating first amendment rights and it was declared unconstitutional. The ordinance was amended so as not to violate the constitution and was again enacted by the city out of public safety concerns for drivers and panhandles. It has no provision prohibiting drivers from giving handouts.

The new  ordinance specifically bars individuals from standing in or entering street and highway travel lanes unless they are “legally crossing.” It also prohibits using or occupying medians on 30 mph or faster roads where there is not a flat surface of at least 4 feet wide having no greater than 8% grade.  A city council legislative  analysis determined that the ordinance will  affect just over 17% of the linear feet of higher-speed arterial roadway medians across Albuquerque. Nonetheless, these are the medians on roadways with the highest traffic flows  and highly visible to the driving public.  In other words 83% of medians in the city will be available for constitutionally protected free speech activities.

In voting NO to  enact the “PEDESTRIAN SAFETY ORDINANCE”  Fiebelkorn said this:

 “I’ve been an activist for 44 years. … When I’m protesting something or holding up a political sign, it matters where you are. I don’t want to have a political sign three blocks from where I wanted to have it.”

RUBBERSTAMPING FUNDING FOR THE UNHOUSED

The Point-In-Time (PIT) count is the annual process of identifying and counting individuals and families experiencing sheltered and unsheltered homelessness within a community on a single night in January, as defined by the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Department (HUD).  HUD requires any community receiving funding from Federal homeless assistance grants to conduct the biennial counts.

Total number of PEOPLE counted during the Albuquerque Point-in-Time counts from 2019 to 2024 are as follows for each year:

• 2019: 1,524
• 2021: 1,567
• 2022: 1,311
• 2023: 2,394
• 2024: 2,740

The 2024 Point In Time homeless survey found an 18% increase in Albuquerque’s homeless numbers. The PIT survey identified 2,740 people experiencing homelessness, including 1,231 on the streets, 1,289 in emergency shelters and 220 in transitional housing. The HHH Department’s fiscal year 2026 budget performance measures report emergency unsheltered as 6,103 in 2023, 7,420 in 2024, 7,257 targeted in 2025 and 8,439 targeted in 2026.

During the last four years of Feibelkorn’s tenure as a city councilor, the city has spent upwards of $300 million on homeless shelters, programs and purchasing and remodeling motels for low-income housing. What sticks out is the staggering amount of money of $300 Million already spent and upwards of $60 Million a year being spent to try and provide assistance to so few, estimated to be between 3,000  to 5,000 unhoused, with upwards of 75% refusing services. There has got to a better way than just throwing money at the problem. There must be far more oversight by the City Council than just rubber-stamping what Mayor Keller asks for and wants.

During her entire term on the City Council, Tammy Feibelkorn has rubber stamped any and all funding Mayor Keller has asked from the city council and has never questioned the funding for the  unhoused services and shelters. Feibelkorn has never  demanded accounting nor questioned the effectiveness of Keller’s initiative to deal with the unhoused crisis.

GREEN STORMWATER INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT

City Councilor Tammy Fiebelkorn is the major proponent of the Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) “pilot project” in District 7 that proposes to “retrofit” older neighborhoods with a destructive burden strenuously opposed to by area residents. GSI involves extensive excavations of streets the city claims are needed to capture stormwater and infiltrate it to groundwater. Opponents say it won’t and that studies show the  bio swales need to be located above the water table within 5 to 18 feet. The water table is too far down for this to work yet millions will be spent.

On October 2, the Albuquerque Journal published on its front page, below the fold, a truly  remarkable and revealing report on a poll the paper commissioned with Albuquerque-based Research & Polling Inc whose President is Brian Sanderoff. Research & Polling Inc is the exclusive polling company for the Albuquerque Journal. For at least the 40 past years, it has polled in New Mexico political races and it is considered the “gold standard” and one of the four top politcal pollsters in the country for is history of accuracy.

The Journal headline was “Majority of voters think the city is doing a poor job of handling homeless”. The article was written by Journal staff reporter Cathy Cook. The article reads in pertinent part as follows:

“Albuquerque voters are more concerned about homelessness than four years ago, and the vast majority do not think the city is doing a good job addressing homelessness, a new Journal poll found.

Of likely and proven voters, 63% think the city is doing a poor or very poor job addressing homelessness, 30% a fair job and only 7% a good or excellent job. That perspective does not vary much across gender, ethnic or educational lines.

Republicans and conservatives feel more negatively about how the city is addressing homelessness than liberals or Democrats.

…

The only surveyed group where more than 50% of people thought the city was doing a fair, good or excellent job addressing homelessness were people who approve of how Mayor Tim Keller is handling his job as mayor. Within that group, 60% thought the city was doing a fair, good or excellent job, while 40% thought the city was doing a poor or very poor job addressing homelessness.

Keller has launched multiple initiatives to address homelessness during his tenure, the most recent a 0% interest loan program to help low-income homeowners make repairs. But if people see homelessness on their way to and from work, “they’re going to assess that little has been done and slam the city government’s performance,” Sanderoff said.

Homelessness in Albuquerque more than doubled from 2022 to 2024, according to the 2024 Point in Time Count, and voter concern about homelessness has also increased since 2021, the poll found.

Overall, 76% of proven and likely Albuquerque voters said they are very concerned about homelessness, compared with 64% when the same question was polled four years ago. The most recent poll found 92% of voters were somewhat or very concerned about homelessness.

… 

The Journal  line of questioning and the poll data was reported in the form of pie graphs:

OVERALL, HOW DO YOU FEEL THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE IS CURRENTLY ADDRESSING THE ISSUE OF HOMELESSNESS?

• VERY POOR: 31%
• POOR: 32%
• FAIR: 30%
• GOOD: 6%
• EXCELLENT: 1%

BASE ON POLITICAL PARTY AFFILIATION, HOW DO YOU FEEL THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE IS CURRENTLY ADDRESSING THE ISSUE OF HOMELESSNESS?

EXCELLENT/GOOD:

• DEMOCRAT: 10%
• REPUBLCAN: 3%
• INDEPENDENT 7%

FAIR:

• DEMOCRAT: 40%
• REPUBLCAN: 14%
• INDEPENDENT 7%

POOR:/VERY POOR:

• DEMOCRAT: 51%
• REPUBLCAN: 81%
• INDEPENDENT 63%

The link to read the full article with  images and  pie graphs is here:

https://www.abqjournal.com/news/article_aad71965-565b-4c2f-99a1-c1de44e70a22.html#tncms-source=home-featured-7-block

Ever since being elected Mayor the first time in 2017, Mayor Tim Keller has made dealing with the city’s homeless crisis his first or second major priority of his administration with reducing crime competing at the same time with the unhoused crisis. This blog article is a deep dive into the  numbers of the unhoused, the 5  integrated shelter system known as the Gateway system that Mayor Keller has created, and the city’s and state’s financial commitment to deal with the unhoused. Mayor Tim Keller is now seeking a third 4 year term. The ultimate question that must be answered by voters is “Has Mayor Keller made any difference when dealing with the unhoused crisis?”

CITY AND STATE UNHOUSED NUMBERS

The Point-In-Time (PIT) count is the annual process of identifying and counting individuals and families experiencing sheltered and unsheltered homelessness within a community on a single night in January, as defined by the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Department (HUD).  HUD requires any community receiving funding from Federal homeless assistance grants to conduct the biennial counts.

The 2024 Point In Time Survey provides a comprehensive breakdown of the unhoused in Albuquerque and the balance of the state.  The link to review the entire 62-page 2024 PIT report is here: 

Click to access ad7ad8_4e2a2906787e4ca19853b9c7945a4dc9.pdf

ALBUQUERQUE UNSHELTERED DATA BREAKDOWN

The 2024 Point In Time  raw data breakdown of Albuquerque’s homeless is as follows:

HOUSEHOLDS COUNTED IN ALBUQUERQUE

The total count of HOUSEHOLDS experiencing homelessness in Albuquerque on January 29, 2024 was 2,248. (Households include those with or without children or only children.)  The breakdown is as follows:

• Emergency Shelters: 1,018
• Transitional Housing: 174
• Unsheltered: 1,056

TOTAL HOUSEHOLDS: 2,248

PERSONS COUNTED IN ALBUQUERQUE

The total count of PERSONS experiencing homelessness in Albuquerque on was 2,740 broken down in 3 categories.

• Emergency Shelters: 1,289
• Transitional Housing: 220
• Unsheltered: 1,231

TOTAL PERSONS: 2,740

ALBUQUERQUE’S 2009 TO 2024 STATISTICS

Total number of PEOPLE counted during the Albuquerque Point-in-Time counts from 2009 to 2024 to establish a graphic trend line for the period are as follows:

• 2009: 2,002
• 2011: 1,639
• 2013: 1,171
• 2015: 1,287
• 2017: 1,318
• 2019: 1,524
• 2021: 1,567
• 2022: 1,311
• 2023: 2,394
• 2024: 2,740

The 2024 Point In Time homeless survey found an 18% increase in Albuquerque’s homeless numbers. The PIT survey identified 2,740 people experiencing homelessness, including 1,231 on the streets, 1,289 in emergency shelters and 220 in transitional housing. The HHH Department’s fiscal year 2026 budget performance measures report emergency unsheltered as 6,103 in 2023, 7,420 in 2024, 7,257 targeted in 2025 and 8,439 targeted in 2026.

BALANCE OF STATE UNSHELTERED DATA BREAKDOWN

The 2024 PIT survey provides the estimated number of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness in the Balance of State.  (Households include those with or without children or only children.)

HOUSEHOLDS COUNTED IN BALANCE OF THE STATE

The total count of HOUSEHOLDS experiencing homelessness in the Balance of State on January 29, 2024 was 1,547 broken down as follows:

• Emergency Shelters: 587
• Transitional Housing: 76
• Unsheltered: 884

TOTAL HOUSEHOLDS: 1,547

INDIVIDUALS COUNTED IN BALANCE OF STATE

The total count of PERSONS experiencing homelessness in the Balance of the State on January 29, 2024, was 1,909  broken down as follows:

• Emergency Shelters: 746
• Transitional Housing: 156
• Unsheltered: 1,011

TOTAL PERSONS: 1,909

BALANCE OF THE STATE 2009 TO 2023 STATISTICS

Following are the number of unsheltered people counted in the BALANCE OF THE STATE for the odd number years 2009-2023 and 2024 to establish a graphic trend line:

• 2009: 1,473
• 2011: 1,962
• 2013: 1,648
• 2015: 1,342
• 2017: 1,164
• 2019: 1,717
• 2021: 1,180
• 2022: 1,283
• 2023: 1,448 
• 2024: 1,907

GATEWAY NETWORK OF FIVE SHELTERS

For the last 8 years, Mayor Tim Keller has taken an aggressive approach to trying to address homelessness, behavioral health, and addiction treatment. Over the past four years, the Keller Administration has taken steps to build a network of support shelters for the unhoused called the Gateway Network System. Mayor Keller’s reelection TV ads proclaims his administration is providing shelter and services to more than 1,000 men, women, and children nightly through the Gateway Network.

The Gateway Network consists of 5 shelters costing a staggering $300 Million dollars spent over the last 4 years to assist upwards of 3,000 to 5,000 unhoused. The City has become New Mexico’s de facto “homeless capitol”  providing shelter and services to the homeless for all communities throughout New Mexico. The problem is that the City and the State’s unhoused numbers are getting worse and not any better after spending millions.

The Gateway Network of support for people struggling with homelessness and addiction consists of the following:

1. Gateway Center– Campus providing medical, behavioral, and social services including overnight beds, first responder intake, medical sobering and respite.
2. Gateway West – Safe, supportive 660-bed facility for individuals experiencing homelessness, offering specialized resources and case management. (Annual Impact: 5,700 Individuals. Open 24/7 Since 2019)
3. Gateway Family – Supportive housing center for families with overnight beds, meals, and case management to help achieve stable housing. (Annual Impact: 987 Individuals Open Since 2020.
4. Gateway Recovery– 50-resident micro-community offering low-barrier beds, recovery services, and support for 18 – 24 months. Annual projected Impact: 50 – 100. Opening Early 2025
5. Gateway Young Adult – Housing and support for young adults ages 15-25 experiencing homelessness, tailored to their unique needs. (Annual projected Impact: 120 Individuals. Opening Late 2025.)

The Gateway Center Houses Critical Services And Seven Tenants.

The services provided are:

• First Responder Receiving Area – 20 people/night
• Medical Sobering Center – 50 people/night
• Medical Respite Center – 50 people/night
• Women’s Navigation Center – 50 people/night plus additional 50 coming on line
• Men’s Navigation Center – 92 people/night with the beds coming on line
• Engagement Center – providing connection/access services to more than 1,000 people per year

The Tenants are:

• Turquoise Lodge Behavioral Hospital
• Haven Behavioral Hospital
• Ideal Option Substance Use Disorder Treatment
• AMG Hospital
• National Alliance on Mental Illness
• Vizionz-Sankofa Resource Center
• Albuquerque Community Safety – Trauma Recovery Center

The two biggest shelters are the Gibson Gateway and the Gateway West.  The Loveless Gibson Medical Center was purchased for $15 million, and the city has spent upwards of $90 million to renovate it. Gateway West provides 450 beds and Gibson Gateway when remodeling is completed is intended to assist upwards of 1,000 homeless and accommodate at least 330 nightly.

STATE DEDICATED FUNDING

During the 2024 and the 2025 legislative sessions, the New Mexico Legislature dedicated more than $300 million to various housing-related measures to different agencies, including revolving loans for builders, down-payment assistance and anti-homelessness programs. The figure includes $140 million lawmakers approved this session. 

The Legislature specifically earmarked $110 million in this year’s $10.8 billion budget bill for homelessness assistance programs and affordable housing statewide. That came after lawmakers appropriated more than $20 million for such programs in the previous year. $83 Million of the $140 Million lawmakers approved in the 2025 legislative session is earmarked for  projects in the Albuquerque area for the unhoused and housing.

On August 26, City, Bernalillo County and State Officials held a press conference to announce that $60 million of the $80  million will be allocated for homelessness and housing projects in Albuquerque. The $80 Million will be dedicated to trying to get 1,000 unhoused people off the streets by July, 2026.

The roughly $80 million will fund 10 projects in Albuquerque, including seven affordable housing developments and expansions to homelessness facilities and programs. Of the millions in funding, 23% will benefit homelessness projects, including prevention, and 77% will go toward housing.

CITY’S FINANCIAL COMMITMENT TO HOMELESS

In the last three years, the city has spent upwards of $300 million on homeless shelters, programs and purchasing and remodeling motels for low-income housing. In 2021, the city acquired the Lovelace Hospital complex on Gibson for $15 million and has spent upwards of $90 million to remodel it into the Gateway shelter.

In fiscal year 2021-2022, the Family Community Services Department spent $35 million on homeless initiatives. In fiscal year 2022-2023 the department spent another $59 million on homeless initiatives. On June 23, 2022, Keller announced that the city was adding $48 million to the fiscal year 2023 budget to address housing and homelessness issues in Albuquerque.

The fiscal year 2026 approved General Fund budget for the Health, Housing and Homelessness Department is $53.3 million. The sum includes $48 million for strategic support, health and human services, affordable housing, mental health services, emergency shelter services, homeless support services, shelter operations, substance abuse services and $4.2 million for the Gibson Gateway maintenance division.

The fiscal year 2026 approved General Fund budget contains  funding for 116 separate services contracts totaling $53.7 million to pay for services provided to the unhoused:

• $30.4 million for 32 affordable housing contracts.
• $6.3 million for 12 emergency shelter contracts.
• $2 million for 16 health and human service contracts.
• $5.7 million for 29 homeless support service contracts.
• $3.8 million for five Gateway Shelter operating contracts.
• $2.2 million for 11 mental health service contracts.
• $2.6 million for 11 substance abuse treatment contracts.

NEW FUNDING FOR MORE SHELTER BEDS

According to the city there are currently 1,176 shelter beds in Albuquerque, 807 of which are at the Gateway shelters.

On September 3, the Albuquerque City Council approved two contracts for women’s and men’s services each worth $3.6 million a year.  A separate $2.3 million contract  to open a 41-bed shelter for young adults won unanimous support.

The approved contract funding will be used to add 141 more beds to the Gateway system of 5 homeless shelters.  The last time the Gateway System of shelters was expanded was in 2023 when the first 50 women’s shelter beds opened at the Housing Navigation Center.  The new contracts will boost bed capacity for both women and men. The young adult shelter will convert a former hotel into housing for 18 to 25-year-olds, many of whom aged out of foster care. The 141 new shelter beds will serve a population of 2,740 homeless residents that includes people sent from communities across the state.

$3.6 million in funding will be used  for operating the Housing Navigation Shelter at the Gateway Center at Gibson and San Mateo SE. Most of the funds will go to staffing, which includes intake specialists, housing support specialists, community outreach personnel and shuttle bus drivers. The funds will also pay for contracted services like security and cleaning, as well as physical supplies.

According to government officials, in Bernalillo County many of the people living on the streets are young, including an estimated 1,200 to 2,300 people between the ages of 15 and 25, according to a 2022 needs assessment. Many of those young people are fleeing domestic violence at home or have aged out of the foster care system, according to the assessment.

The City Council also unanimously approved a $2.3 million operating contract with Youth Development Inc., the operator of a young adult housing program that will house 41 people aged 18-25 who are experiencing homelessness. YDI currently runs the city’s Gateway Family shelter. Gateway Young Adult Shelter will be located at the former La Quinta hotel at San Mateo and Cutler that is currently being renovated. The per-bed operation cost for the youth shelter is more than $56,000.

The  expanded shelters will offer case management as well as treatment for mental health and addiction, with the ultimate goal of transitioning people into more stable living situations. The  new beds are expected to be made available in the coming months after the operators recruit and train staff.

On September 15, the City Council approved a separate $21.8 million state funding package. The new funding carries strict oversight rules by the state.

Links to quoted or relied upon news sources are here:

https://www.abqjournal.com/news/article_42aba680-62c4-4228-95a2-da72df1a34e1.html

https://citydesk.org/2025/09/10/albuquerque-becomes-new-mexicos-homeless-hub-as-gateway-contracts-add-100-beds/?mc_cid=b9e7b25ad7&mc_eid=001367acf1 

CITY IS DE FACTO HOMELESS SERVICE “HUB” TO COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT STATE

On September 3, after voting to approve the contracts, Democrat City  Councilor Joaquín Baca said this:

 “It’s really well known at this point. A lot of the small towns send their unhoused populations here; we have the services they don’t. …. I think we should get annual appropriations from the state, [because] we’re helping them. How much? That’s an open question. … We should get annual appropriations from the state like they should be. We’re helping them, right?”

The financial strain of serving as the state’s homeless service hub is drawing attention from state lawmakers. In a May 30 letter to Mayor Tim Keller, State Rep. Nicole Chavez (R-Albuquerque) said the city receives a disproportionate share of state homeless funding because of “the concentration of need in the city.”

Representative Chavez noted that the New Mexico legislature allocated nearly $25 million for homeless initiatives this fiscal year, with $19.7 million for statewide programs and $5 million for local projects. “It is reasonable to assume a significant portion will be directed towards Albuquerque” she wrote.

Chavez also raised concern that “despite these substantial investments … the number of individuals living on the streets in Albuquerque continues to rise” and she requested a detailed accounting of the city’s homeless programs.

COMMENTARY AND ANALYSIS

It should come as absolutely no surprise that the Albuquerque Journal poll revealed so much dissatisfaction with how Mayor Tim Keller and his Administration has dealt with the homeless during the last 8 years. Simply put, voters are sick and tired of seeing everywhere daily the unhouse on our streets, intersections, sidewalks, neighborhoods, finding them in front yards and in parks and seeing the devastating effects of illicit drug abuse and mental illness. The perception is that the crisis has only gotten worse under Mayor Tim Keller despite the millions he has spent to deal with the crisis. The blunt truth is the unhoused crisis has gotten worse because of Mayor Keller’s policies.

What sticks out is the staggering amount of money of $300 Million already spent and upwards of $60 Million a year being spent to try and provide assistance to so few, estimated to be between 3,000  to 5,000 unhoused, with upwards of 75% refusing services. There has got to be a better way than just throwing money at the problem. There must be far more oversight by the City Council than just rubber-stamping what Mayor Keller asks for and wants.

The reality is Albuquerque is now New Mexico’s hub for homeless service referrals throughout the state thanks to Mayor Keller’s 5 shelters and Albuquerque City Council acquiescence. The City is managing the homeless who are from far beyond the city’s borders. The problem is that the City and the State’s unhoused numbers are getting worse and not better after spending millions.

A 2025 report by the city found 30% of individuals experiencing homelessness self report having a serious mental illness, 25% self report having a substance use disorder and around 66% experience some form of mental health condition. The biggest problem is that upwards of 75% of the chronic, emergency unhoused simply refuse city services, yet the city continues with spending  millions a year to benefit  so few that need assistance.

CIVIL MENTAL HEALTH COMMITMENTS 

Civil mental health commitment hearings are  in order for those unhoused who are a danger to themselves or others in order to get them into a hospital setting and get them the mental health treatment or counseling they need and get them off the streets, but Mayor Keller is reluctant to do that preferring a more subdued approach of “you can’t camp here so move along”.

During the 2025 regular session of the New Mexico legislature, the legislature enacted what was referred to as the Omnibus Crime Package.  It included 6 bills, one of which is the  criminal competency legislation. It specifically requires that competency evaluators determine whether defendants are dangerous to themselves or others. After a competency hearing, and if a defendant is found not to be competent, a judge  then decides whether the defendant poses a threat. Based on that determination, a defendant is either  ordered to attend an assisted outpatient treatment program or  sent to the state Behavioral Health Institute in Las Vegas, New Mexico.

The enacted Omnibus Crime Package  gives prosecutors more options to involuntarily commit people into a locked psychiatric facility if they are found to be dangerous to themselves or others and unable to stand trial. When  a court determines that a defendant is not competent to proceed in a criminal case the court  determines if the defendant is dangerous.  A defendant who is not competent is dangerous if the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant presents a serious threat to themselves or others. It is likely that the Albuquerque Police Department and the city Community Safety Department actually know who the “frequent flyers” are and who needs to be taken immediately off the streets.  Both departments could  assist the District Attorney or the City Attorney with civil mental health commitments of the unhoused.

Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court’s has what is known as the  “Outreach Court”. It was previously known as “Homeless Court”. The court provides people who are unhoused with the  opportunity to resolve pending misdemeanor cases, outstanding warrants and unpaid fines, all of which  can pose barriers to housing and employment opportunities and hinder progress toward self-sufficiency.

During the recent Special Session of the New Mexico legislature that ended on October 2, the legislature enacted legislation which will allow the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court to determine competency which previously required district court involvement.  A recent report by the New Mexico Justice Reinvestment Working Group found that 65% of individuals who enter the state’s criminal justice system have a behavioral health need and the criminal justice system cannot provide necessary medical  treatment and facilities.

During last year’s 2024  Special Session, legislators appropriated $3 million to ramp up court-ordered assisted outpatient treatment programs for individuals with mental illness in three judicial districts.  The behavioral health legislation puts the judiciary in charge of planning while leaving the state Health Care Authority largely in charge of overseeing funding.

KELLER’S “All THE ABOVE APPROACH” TO DEAL WITH UNHOUSED

Mayor Tim Keller has taken an “all the above approach” to deal with the city’s unhoused, but he de facto  excludes the court’s, and his approach is a failure. Keller has allowed the unhoused to proliferate city streets, parks and open spaces declining to enforce city and state vagrancy laws and make arrests. The problem is the chronic unhoused refuse to accept city services as Keller continues to throw city resources at the crisis and not accomplishing much.  Mayor Tim Keller has essentially proclaimed the unhoused as “wards of the city.”

Mayor Keller’s  approach is not sustainable. In a real sense its been more of a failure than a success benefiting the contract  providers as opposed to the unhoused. The responsibility to help the unhoused must be undertaken by the state or federal government and the courts.  The millions spent to help the unhoused with many refusing services would have gone a long way to finance community centers, senior citizen centers, police and fire substations, preschool or after school programs, senior citizen programs, and police and fire programs.

Mayor Keller is throwing millions at temporary shelter as he fails to make a dent on the underlying causes of crime, mental health and drug addiction. Given the numbers in the 2024 PIT report and the millions being spent on the homeless crisis it should be manageable. Yet the crisis only gets worse and worse each year and it is a continuing major drain on city resources.

During the past few years, the unhoused have become far more dispersed throughout the city thanks to Mayor Tim  Keller. The unhoused are more aggressive, camping where they want and for how long as they want.  Unhoused who have no interest in any offers of shelter, beds, motel vouchers or alternatives to living on the street force the city to make it totally inconvenient for them to “squat” anywhere they want and must force them to move on.

After repeated attempts to reason with them to move on, citations and arrests are in order and they need to be brought into the court system with civil mental health commitments. Until the problem is solved, the public perception will be that very little to no progress has been made despite millions spent to deal with what Keller proclaims as the “challenge of our lifetime.”

Mayor Tim Keller is seeking a third four-year term as Mayor.  There is very little doubt that he will  continue with his policies dealing with the unhoused and an unsustainable black hole of expenditures if he is elected to a third 4 year term.

At the beginning of the article, the question asked was “Has Mayor Tim Keller made any difference when dealing with the unhoused crisis in Albuquerque? “ The succinct and final answer is NO!  Keller has only made things worse, the city’s unhoused numbers continue to rise and Keller’s approach has made Albuquerque the hub for the state to provide shelter and services to the unhoused. Sant Fe is the capital of New Mexico.  Albuquerque is the State’s capitol for the unhoused and the  Gateway Center on Gibson is its capitol.  The city needs a new Mayor with a far different approach than just throwing money at the crisis. Simply put, we need to elect a new Mayor on November 4. Early voting begins on October 18 and will end 3 days before election day November 4.

___________________________________________

POSTSCRIPT

POLL METHODOLOGY

The Journal poll was conducted September 19 through September 26. The voter sample size of 514 has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.4 percentage points. The margin of error grows for subsamples.

“The Journal Poll is based on a random sample of 514 voters who cast ballots in the 2021 and/or 2023 local government election, and a sample of adults who registered to vote since January 2024 and who said they are likely to vote in the upcoming local government election.

To ensure a representative sample, Research & Polling Inc. sets quotas for race, gender and age, and weights by education level and party affiliation, if necessary, based on traditional voting patterns in local government elections. All interviews were conducted by live, professional interviewers, based in Albuquerque, with multiple callbacks to individuals that did not initially answer the phone. Both cellphone numbers (96%) and landlines (4%) of likely voters were used.”

The link to read the full article with  images and  pie graphs is here:

https://www.abqjournal.com/news/article_aad71965-565b-4c2f-99a1-c1de44e70a22.html#tncms-source=home-featured-7-block

On October 1, Governor Michell Lujan Grisham called the New Mexico Legislature into Special Session to address the significant challenges of federal funding cuts resulting from President Trump’s  budget reconciliation bill H.R.1, the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”. On October 2, The New Mexico House and Senate adjourned completing the special session after enacting millions in funding to offset anticipated federal funding cuts to state programs. Senators adjourned just after noon, while the House remained in session until 5:15 p.m.

The second day of the special session saw most of the bills on the governor’s agenda pass both chambers of the legislature and head to the governor’s desk, including House Bill 2. The goal of HB 2  is to make sure health insurance premiums remain low, even if tax credits on the federal level expire. It uses subsidies from its health care affordability fund to cover those costs. According to the Health Care Authority, up to 27,000 New Mexicans are at risk of losing health insurance if the tax credits expire.

The House and Senate approved upwards of $125 million in funding into food assistance programs  and health care access and affordability. Lawmakers also approved extra funding for behavioral health programs and some state agencies, along with a few slight changes to the state’s criminal competency laws. They also approved a bill giving the state Department of Health more power over the state’s vaccine guidelines.

The anticipated surge in health insurance premiums come January as a result of enactment of Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” which he signed into law on July 4 was one of the biggest concerns addressed by  the special session. Federal Affordable Care Act tax credits will  expire on December 31. Democratic leaders have said the New Mexico families utilizing the state’s health insurance program known as the BeWell New Mexico will likely see their insurance costs skyrocket.  House Majority Floor Leader Reena Sczepanski described the crisis this way:

“For example, for a household of two living in Taos County with a combined income of $95,000, their monthly insurance cost will jump from $150 a month to $2,845. That’s $32,000 more per year.”

State lawmakers were able to get ahead of the funding crisis by approving a bill allowing the state’s Health Care Authority to provide subsidies to keep those insurance costs down for New Mexicans above the current income limits, and investing another $17 million into the program to accomplish that. The strategy gained strong bipartisan support during this session, but Republican leaders say it’s not something state leaders should rely on moving forward. ” Republican State Senator Pat Woods said this:

“This is very much a band-aid, I understand that, but it’s going to come to the point that we can’t depend on the federal government – and I don’t give a rip who’s in that office up there – to keep providing as much money to New Mexico as they have.”

State lawmakers are already preparing other solutions for the upcoming 30-day session to mitigate upcoming changes to Medicaid.

The legislature also enacted during the Special Session a state funding bill that included money to prepare the state to join an interstate medical compact, allowing doctors in other participating states to treat New Mexican patients. Notwithstanding the Governors originally announced intent not to include hot button issues in the special session, she has included the hot button issue of studying and preparing for the implementation of an  interstate medical licensing compact which is an agreement among states to accept medical licenses from other states that have adopted such compacts. It would allow  a doctor licensed in another state to simply  show  that they are a licensed physician in another state  in order to have the NM Medical Board to quickly approve a license to practice in New Mexico. Such compacts allow health care workers licensed in other states to work in New Mexico, which advocates say would address the state’s shortage of medical professionals. New Mexico is a member of just one interstate compact agreement which is for nurses  and is one of only four states that participate in one or fewer compacts. Earlier this year, lawmakers passed seven compact agreements out of the state House, but all stalled in the state Senate.

https://sourcenm.com/2025/09/22/nm-senate-dems-unlikely-to-move-on-medical-compacts-for-special-session/

The Interstate Medical Compact is  expected to be dealt with in the 30-day regular  session that begins on January 20, 2026 .

NEWS UPDATE: On October 3, Governor Lujan Grisham signed four of the five bills passed by lawmakers during the two-day special session. The four signed bills include a measure aimed at blunting the impact of looming health insurance hikes for some New Mexicans, legislation expanding the allowable uses of a state rural health care fund and a technical fix to a criminal competency bill enacted this year. The governor signed the funding bill that authorizes $161 million in total spending for food assistance programs, food banks and public radio and television stations. The governor held off signing a vaccine-related bill after Republican objections thwarted Democratic plans to have it take effect immediately.

https://www.abqjournal.com/news/article_487dcbad-e701-4949-81db-7b1374a2ed9b.html#tncms-source=home-featured-7-block

LEGISLATION ENACTED

Following is a break down of the legislation  enacted during the two day special session:

FUNDING PASSED TO COVER FEDERAL CUTS

House Bill 1 provides $162 million to different areas in response to federal funding cuts. It includes  $66 million for the state’s Healthcare Authority for a number of programs including maintaining SNAP food benefits, bunding food banks, funding school-based food programs, and reducing health insurance costs. Doña Ana County Democrat Representative Nathan Small said this:

“[ House Bill 1 is] going to help over 6,000 New Mexico families avoid massive insurance premium increases, allow them to keep insuring themselves and their families. … We’ve been working this entire summer and will go into the 30-day session again looking at maintaining, whether in this case a year in a half, looking further especially in some of these critical areas.”

HB 1 also transfers $50 million to the rural healthcare fund to keep rural facilities open and allocates $6 million to keep public broadcasting up and running.

These are just one-time allotments lasting through July 2026 or July 2027 depending on the program. Democrats said they can address what may need to become re-occurring and how to fund that in the 30-day session in January.

HEALTHCARE SUBSIDIES PASS

House Bill 2  passed with bipartisan support. It  will cover the gap left by Biden-era tax credits that made Affordable Care Act premiums more affordable for households with incomes over 400% of the federal poverty level. The tax credits will expire at the end of the year unless Congress renews them.

According to an Albuquerque Journal analysis of marketplace data compiled by health policy nonprofit Kaiser Family Foundation, when the tax credits expire at the end of the year, New Mexicans will have some of the highest Affordable Care Act rate increases in the country. Premiums will increase by an average of 35.7%, per the state Office of the Superintendent of Insurance.

Without the subsidies, an Albuquerque couple nearing retirement age with a combined annual income of $84,600 would see a 311% increase in their monthly Affordable Care Act premiums according to marketplace data. The couple would spend $2,462 a month,  or 35% of their total income , on their marketplace coverage. With the subsidies guaranteed by HB2, their monthly health insurance cost will be around $600.

The bill received support from both sides of the aisle. It passed in the House with a vote of 49-13 and in the Senate with a vote of 34-3.

RURAL HEALTH CARE LEGISLATION

Senate Bill 1 passed  designating  $50 million to support rural healthcare across the state and expand the use for the funds for hospitals and allow counties with more than 100,000 residents to apply.

A last minute attempt was made  to approve New Mexico’s entry into interstate compacts for physicians. During debate, Rep. Jenifer Jones (R-Deming) introduced a substitute bill, which included the same language as the original Senate Bill 1, but also appended Senate Bill 9 to include compact entry and lower barriers to licensing doctors from other states.

Rep. Andrea Romero (D-Santa Fe) objected asserting  that the Senate had already adjourned and would not return to address any changes to the bill and the changes would render the bill unconstitutional, and fall outside the scope of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s proclamation. Romero said this:

“If we do pass this substitute under our rules, not only is it counter to our Constitution, it would be unfortunately dead on arrival to the Senate, since they are no longer in session.”

Speaker of the House Javier Martínez ruled that the substitute bill would not be allowed under the rules, noting the narrow allowance in the proclamation.

Montoya and Jones challenged Martínez’s ruling, which failed on a 42-22 vote.

Additional concerns raised by Republicans included the concern that hospitals in Albuquerque or Santa Fe would receive the funds rather than rural areas in other portions of the state. Rep. Liz Thomson said this:

“Sandoval County has over 100,000 people but also has communities like Jemez. … So it would allow medical facilities in Jemez to apply for grants.”

CRIMINAL COMPETENCY LEGISLATION

The House had a near-unanimous passage of Senate Bill 2, which will allow the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court to determine competency which previously required district court involvement  fixing a change made in amendment to House Bill 8 during the 60-day session.

Rep. Christine Chandler (D-Los Alamos), the sponsor, said the amendment shifted cases from metropolitan court into the district court, increasing caseloads unnecessarily. Chandler said this:

“It’s ironic we were delegating upward instead of delegating downward.”

Only three Republicans voted against the bill: Reps. Stefani Lord from Sandia Park, John Block from Alamogordo and Randall Pettigrew of Lovington.

VACCINE POLICY LEGISLATION

The house passed Senate Bill 3, which will expand the New Mexico Department of Health’s authority to purchase COVID-19 vaccines for children. It allows the Department of Health  to use additional sources than a sole federal advisory committee to create guidelines for school and daycare vaccination policy amid federal upheaval.

Senate Bill 3  drew hours of Republican opposition throughout the session and, finally, in the House, with sponsor Dayan Hochman-Vigil (D-Albuquerque) defending the process through which the bill was introduced and debated. Republican lawmakers previously complained they only had four minutes to ask questions during a committee debate earlier, and they said the bill had changed repeatedly.

Rep. Jenifer Jones (R), Las Cruces said this:

“I do want people who need or want a COVID shot to have access to it. I’m also very sensitive to my constituents who believe this opens up a possibility even a discussion about losing parental rights in any way or even a discussion.”

Dayan Hochman-Vigil (D), Majority Whip said this:

“This is not about taking away your choice not to get the vaccine. This is about ensuring that those who make the choice to get the vaccine have access to the vaccine, and if they make that choice, that’s all this is about.”

Hochman-Vigil closed more than two hours of debate acknowledging that vaccines are a “highly politicized issue”.

The vote on the vaccine bill broke down along party lines, 43-26, with Republicans voting NO in opposition and Democrats YES in favor

Despite the bill’s passage, the House did not meet the two-thirds threshold needed to enact the bill immediately under an emergency clause, which means the bill will not become law until 90 days from the end of the session  or until Dec. 31, 2025.

Governor Lujan Grisham said this in a statement regarding the vaccine policy legislation:

“There is no good reason for Republicans to make New Mexicans wait 90 days for vaccines they need to protect their health. … I’m deeply disappointed in Republicans for voting to restrict vaccines, but our Department of Health remains committed to vaccine access.”

A SESSION OF “TEMPORARY FIXES”

Governor Lujan Grisham said this in a statement after lawmakers adjourned the Special Session:

“We refuse to let New Mexico families fall through the cracks because Republicans in Washington have abandoned their responsibility to the American people.”

While describing the special session bills as urgently needed responses to federal budget cuts, top Democrats said more work needs to be done in a state with one of the nation’s highest percentages of residents enrolled in Medicaid.

Describing the legislation enacted to deal with federal budget cuts as “temporary fixes”, New Mexico Speaker of the House Javier Martinez said this after the session concluded:

“No state in the nation can withstand the immensity and the cruelty of these cuts [in the federal bill]. .. I’m feeling good. we came in laser focused on addressing the most urgent needs for New Mexico’s families  from food security to health care insurance, and we delivered.”

House Democratic floor leader Reena Szczepanski of Santa Fe said lawmakers will have to “go back to the drawing board” to ensure state residents have access to health care.

Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth (D-Santa Fe) said this:

“I want to thank all the members in this chamber for the 25 hours of work that we have done, we’ve worked hard, we’ve worked together, and again as a result of that we have finished the work of the senate.” 

While Democrats described the special session as a success, Republican lawmakers were not upbeat at all and aired grievances on how they were treated. Republican leaders  held a news conference following the conclusion of the Senate chamber, expressing disappointment over the lack of crime and New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department bills on the special session agenda.

Multiple House Republican lawmakers aired grievances about the special session’s agenda and being excluded from pre-session negotiations between Governor’s Office staffers and top-ranking Democrats. They railed against time limits imposed by Democratic committee chairs for each legislator to ask questions about bills.

House Republican floor leader Gail Armstrong of Magdalena saisd this during the news conference:

“We represent half of this state and it seems like the Democratic leadership doesn’t give a darn.”

Republican minority floor leader Sen. William Sharer said this about the Special Session:

“Our issues were not addressed at all. We did some things but this so called special session just wasn’t that special.”

House Speaker Javier Martinez did not directly address Republicans criticism, but said he never ignores meeting requests or phone calls from Republican lawmakers. Martínez said this:

“I am sorry that you all don’t feel like you’ve been included. … It was not on purpose.”

Speaker Martinez contrasted the Legislature’s special session work with the ongoing federal government shutdown that reached its second day on Thursday. Martínez said this during the news conference after the special session ended:

“While Washington sits in dysfunction, this Legislature and in particular this caucus continue to show how we can work with civility and on behalf of New Mexicans.”

Lawmakers will return to the state capital for the regular 30-day legislative session on January 20, 2026.

Links to quoted or relied upon news sources are here:

https://sourcenm.com/2025/10/02/thats-a-wrap-special-session-ends-with-new-vaccine-competency-health-care-laws/

https://www.abqjournal.com/news/article_9fc48f2c-063d-471c-946a-dfd2bfda57e0.html#tncms-source=home-featured-7-block

https://www.kob.com/new-mexico/lawmakers-wrap-up-special-session-in-santa-fe/

https://www.koat.com/article/new-mexico-special-session-ends-2025/68485172

https://www.krqe.com/news/politics-government/special-session-wraps-up-with-five-bills-making-it-through-the-roundhouse/

COMMENTARY AND ANALYSIS

The October 1 special session was rightly designed to find ways to offset the impact of federal funding cuts passed by Congress and signed into law by President Trump on July 4. The goal was to ensure initiatives like the rural health care delivery fund and food assistance programs could continue operating and make sure Medicaid recipients do not lose health coverage. Despite being a session described as a session of “temporary fixes”, it can only be described as a solid success ignoring  the negativity espoused by the the New Mexico MAGA Republican leadership.

Links to other quoted or relied upon articles are here:

Legislative update: Senate, House adjourn after tackling fixes to plug budget holes caused by federal cuts

Governor MLG Issues Call Convening Special Session Of Legislature On October 1 Including Special Session Agenda; Studying and Preparing For Implementation Of Interstate Medical Licensing Compact On Agenda

On December 3, 2024 Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, accompanied by Speaker of the House Javier Martinez, Mayor Tim Keller and State Fair Commission Chairman Eric Serna and other officials, announced a plan to move the New Mexico state fairgrounds to a different location and redevelop the 236 acre State Fair property into a mixed-use development. The announcement to move the Fair Grounds shocked surrounding neighborhoods and businesses. Among the many ideas suggested for the development of the 236 acres of prime property included low income and affordable housing and demolishing the 60-year-old Tingly Coliseum and building a multipurpose entertainment and sports facility. Recommendations for future land use included commercial retail business development.

“STATE FAIRGROUNDS DISTRICT” CREATED

On March 21, in response to the Governor’s announcement to redevelop or move the state fair, the New Mexico legislature passed Senate Bill 481 creating the “State Fairgrounds District,” a governing board which has redevelopment authority over the existing State Fair grounds area. The bill includes an appropriation of approximately $12 million to cover initial costs.

The “State Fairgrounds District” Board is empowered to raise property taxes and issue up to $500 million in bonds to fund future development of the property, to make improvement or even relocate the fairgrounds and repurpose the property. The bonds are backed primarily by future gaming revenue taxes generated at the Downs Racetrack and Casino which holds a multi-decade lease on  the  property until 2045 within the fairground’s perimeter. According to the legislation, the board will govern the development of the district for six years.

The link to review the legislative history is here:

https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislation/Legislation?Chamber=S&LegType=B&LegNo=481&year=25

Voting members of the State Fairgrounds District governing Board are:

• Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, chair.
• Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller
• Senator Mimi Stewart, Senate President Pro-Tempore, International District, #17
• State  Representative Janelle Anyanonu whose district the fair grounds is located
• City Councilor Nichole Rogers whose district the fair grounds is located
• County Commissioner Adriann Barboa whose district the fair grounds is located
• Peter Belletto, President, District 6 Neighborhood Coalition

STANTEC CONSULTING SERVICES INC

On June 18,  the state General Services Department announced that an $844,433 contract with Stantec Consulting Services Inc.  was  entered into by the State for Stantec to create a master plan for repurposing the 236-acre tract of land that has since 1938 hosted the annual New Mexico State Fair, also known as EXPO New Mexico.  Santec has agreed to develop a master plan by February 2026  that will make suggestions for the land’s use.

The award of the contract to Stantec Consulting Services Inc. came a full four months after the state abruptly canceled the previous RFP contract solicitation without explanation and restarted the process. The signing followed a public procurement process. The contract spans  8 months extending until February, 2026 and the  master plan will include an economic impact study, development plans and a proposal presentation.

Stantec is a multinational consulting firm headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, with four local offices in New Mexico. This contract isn’t Stantec’s first in New Mexico. The company previously worked with the Department of Transportation to revamp roads and highways in Silver City, Hobbs and Fort Sumner. Stantec also worked with the city of Jal in the southeast corner of New Mexico to produce a community development plan.

Stantec’s portfolio includes major projects across the United States and abroad, such as McGregor Square in downtown Denver, a vibrant entertainment district next to Coors Field, and community spaces in Chicago designed for live concerts, film screenings and outdoor markets. The firm has also worked on developments in Scotland, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates.

STANTEC’S PRESENTATION

On August 21 a subcontractor with the firm known as Create Your Fable that specializes in public affairs and strategic communications working for Stantec Consulting Services Inc. reported to the State Fair Grounds District Board that it completed 14 in-depth interviews with board members, key stakeholders and community leaders and will be conducting further interviews. It was announced that three meetings would  be held with the Stakeholders to discuss the overall plans for the area. It was also announced that a website has been completed and that it will be launched in the week of August 15. A community survey was supposedly conducted from September 1 to September 17.

INSIGHTS FROM IN-DEPTH INTERVIEWS

A report was given on the following four major insights given by the stakeholders during interviews:

1. DESIRE FOR SAFE WALKABLE FAIRGROUND

Stakeholders stated that they felt the top priority for the fairgrounds is a safe walkable greenspace that connects the neighborhoods on all sides of the Fairgrounds and that provides a shared community space. Stakeholders said they want neighborhoods on all sides of the Fairgrounds to be connected to create a shared community space. Environmental considerations include having tree coverage reducing the heat index and reducing “inhalable pollution.” Stakeholders said they want the ability to walk to grocery stores, schools, neighborhood restaurants and retail stores.

2. ACCESSABLE HOUSING WITH CAVEATS

Stakeholders said a close second priority is accessible housing but with caveats. Stakeholders said they would like to see prioritizing renovating existing structures within neighborhoods and infill housing. New housing on the Fairgrounds itself must be mixed income. There must be supported pathways for the first time homeownership, including in the surrounding neighborhoods as well as the fairgrounds. There is a measurable sentiment for a “Community Land Trust” which would allow for the neighborhoods to have “skin in the game” and own land and property.

3. ECONOMIC AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Stakeholders emphasized that Economic and Business Development is a tertiary priority. Stakeholders expressed widespread acknowledgement of the importance of an anchor tenant on the fairgrounds itself, but the nature of the tenant is not clear.

4. HEALTHY AND SAFE COMMUNITIES

Stakeholders stressed there is a need to address the proliferation of violent crime, property crime and the presence of unhoused, open drug use and behavioral health challenges. Stakeholders believe there is “power and progress” in the communities surrounding the fairgrounds. Stakeholders said more community services are needed, but it’s complicated on how to achieve them and saying communities must be an authentic part of the work.

The link to review Stantec’s initial August 21 report is here:

https://www.fairgroundsdistrict.nm.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/08212025_Presentation_StateFair_Board_Mtg_1.pdf?fbclid=IwY2xjawNLdatleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETE4bmdXTkdsbHdEZHVZQ0taAR4NvjbXniyAaUOKkKgSSbsRX7rngv5XOio7Gaq2qaDh8uickbB8gUZN0r_jMQ_aem_gGaYMHgkrltnunRQQ5XpFQ

FIRST OF 3 PUBLIC HEARINGS HELD BY STANTEC

On September 22, Stantec Consulting Services Inc held a public meeting at the African American Pavilion on the State Fair Grounds to discuss and consider what should be done with the 236-acre tract of land that houses the annual New Mexico State Fair also known as  Expo New Mexico.  The meeting was the first of three events held to allow the public to comment on the master plan. The second meeting will be held sometime in late October to early November and is yet to be announced.

STANTEC PRESENTATION

Representatives of Stantec Consulting Services made it clear that the purpose of the September 22, meeting was  to talk about the fairgrounds and not the State Fair itself.  Simply put, Stantec Consulting Services  is not  in charge of deciding if the New Mexico State Fair stays or goes.

State officials have asked Stantec to come up with at least two master plans for the current fairgrounds. One plan includes the state fair staying where it is  and one deals with moving the fairgrounds to a different location. The master plans will ostensibly  include recommendations on where to build a new state fairgrounds if that is the final decision made.

During the meeting, Nancy Locke, the lead member of the Stantec Consulting Services team in charge of creating a master plan for the fairgrounds, presented some of their findings when surveying the property and possibilities of what else it could be. Locke said the main purpose of the master plan is to see how the state, city, fair and community can collaborate to get the most economic and cultural benefits from the property.

According to the presentation, there is a possibility of not moving the fairgrounds and modernizing it, but the property could also be many other things, including mixed-income housing, an entertainment venue, or even a park.

Nancy Locke, the project lead for Stantec,  said food deserts, excessive heat and lack of green spaces are all problems in the surrounding neighborhoods of the fair grounds. The new development could be a remedy, Locke said, bringing parks and commerce, as well as affordable housing.

Stantec speakers presented a wide variety of development plans in addition to new housing, including a new multi-use arena for concerts and sports, medical facilities, offices, retail and public parks. Stantec planners also suggested that the State Fair might not have to move but may be able to continue operating on a smaller area within the plot of land.

CONTENTIOUS MEETING

The meeting drew both supporters and detractors consisting of  local residents and advocates.  Some residents of the International District  saw the proposal as an opportunity to start fresh and uplift Albuquerque’s economically disadvantaged International District through new development. Others feared gentrification, wasted taxpayer dollars and a stalled project leaving residents in limbo.

Stantec speakers, including  Nancy Locke , the lead presenter for Santec,  were frequently interrupted by residents who voiced concerns and raised strong objections  about everything from crime to homelessness. Some expressed nostalgia for the State Fair’s historic home.

During a question-and-answer period, community members passed around the microphone. The community members primarily criticized the project.

Former International District resident Willie Williamson told the audience and  presenters he  grew up in the International District, became entangled with drugs and gangs as a teen, and years later made the decision to raise his children elsewhere to save them from a similar fate. Williamson worries that without solving the surrounding area’s issues with drug use and crime first, any affordable housing project will fail.

Williamson said the redevelopment would end major events held at Expo New Mexico, beyond just the annual fair, and plunge the neighborhood into greater economic disparity at a time when major retailers like Walmart and Walgreens have already fled. Williamson said this:

“You want to further take the economics from this part of the community, but not put anything back into the community — it’s a failure. … You want to address the optics of this neighborhood but not address the actual problems. … You’re talking 10 to 15 years of adverse childhood experiences for these people that you are not addressing.”

Hillary Malu, who lives near the State Fairgrounds, said this:

“My takeaway is that people are actually getting information that they’ve been wanting and needing. I hope community members will continue to look at their website and attend meetings, so then we can have some productive dialogue.”

Charlie Bennett, a longtime resident of the International District and a community activist over many years recalled the two previous attempts to redevelop the fairgrounds. Bennett brought to the meeting and referred to a white binder filled with the neighborhood’s suggestions for then Governor Bill Richardson, who attempted the revitalization in 2008. Bennett said this:

“What makes Governor  Michelle Lujan Grisham’s attempt any different. … I’ll probably be dead before the first shovel hits dirt.”

Former Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez, an adviser to Governor Lujan Grisham on the State Fair project,  said this in response to Bennett:

“The difference is dramatic. … For the first time, there are real dollars and serious representation regarding the initiative.”

Stantec representatives said the master plan would not include options of where the fair would be hosted if it is moved. Nancy Locke, the project lead for Stantec said this:

“I know that there’s some controversy around the topic [of moving the fair grounds and] we hear you.”

Panelists chosen by Stantec were a collection of local residents, nonprofit organizers and included law enforcement.  The Santec Panelist encouraged audience members and residents to think about the future, though even their opinions about the project were split.

Natalie Vargas, from the Southside Neighborhood Association, said she’d like to see the fairgrounds stay, though she recognized how development could improve the neighborhood she grew up in and where she now raises her kids. Vargas said this:

“I personally think the state fair should stay because it’s where rural and urban kids come together, learn from each other and dream big. We need to protect spaces that educate, connect and inspire, and the state fair is one of them”

Albuquerque Police Department Southeast Area Commander Josh Richards raised questions about what jurisdiction the development would fall under, given that it’s within city boundaries but owned by the state.  Commander Richards said adding more population density to the Southeast Area Command that is already overworked and understaffed could drain resources and make policing the area more difficult. Commander Richards said this:

“Adding 240-some acres of housing is a big pull for us.”

Ahdohny Routheni, a Stantec panelist and founder of numerous local nonprofits, implored the audience to be forward-thinking and not let nostalgia for the fairgrounds prevent positive change for future generations. Routheni said this:

“I really would love if the community thought long and hard — is it really for y’all or is it for them? … Are we going to be people that tear down trees, or are we going to plant a tree so that next generation can eat off that fruit?”

Albuquerque City Councilor Nichole Rogers, who is a member of the State Fair Governing Board, said this of the meeting:

“I’ve heard people who want to keep it here and just redevelop it, modernize it, do some housing. Then also folks who are like, let’s find a new home where we can build from the ground up and then reimagine this space for something different. So, I think that’s what tonight’s all about, is just hearing all of those different ideas. … For me, that was the most thing I’ve been vocal about throughout this whole process. The governance team and Stantec, the contractor who’s in charge of putting together the master plan, really have listened to community. This is the proof of that.”

Links to quoted or relied upon news sources are here:

https://www.abqjournal.com/news/article_eb99f463-c743-4b94-970f-0071d728d514.html

https://www.koat.com/article/community-meeting-held-in-albuquerque-to-discuss-future-of-new-mexico-state-fairgrounds/68009798

https://www.kob.com/new-mexico/albuquerque-metro/disruptions-derail-state-fairground-redevelopment-meeting/

Links to related State Fair District Board and the  redevelopment master plan are here:

https://www.fairgroundsdistrict.nm.gov

https://www.exponm.com/p/about/nmsf-tidd-board

ANGER IN THE INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT RECALLED

On February 26, Bernalillo County Government  held meeting to discuss and provide information on a proposed Tax Increment Development District (TIDD) for the New State Fairgrounds. Upwards of 200 residents attended.

The Governor’s proposal of moving the State Fair has been met with opposition from the residents of Albuquerque’s International District, which has dealt with rampant drug use and homelessness in recent years. Most if not all of  the public present for the February 26 meeting were very hostile to the State moving the state fair and spoke out against moving the state fair to another location.

Audience members were given the opportunity to speak after the presentation on the proposed Tax Increment District (TIDD). Audience members said that the City and the Mayor Keller Administration have been a total failure in cleaning up Central and the city has failed to address the homeless crisis on Central. Audience members argued that before anything is spent on improving or moving the Fair Grounds, money would be better spent cleaning up Central, dealing with the homeless, drug addicted and mentally ill and providing them with services to get them off the streets.

STATE FAIRGROUNDS DISTRICT  BOARD APPROVES PROPERTY ACQUISITION

On Thursday, September 25, the State Fairgrounds District Board held its third monthly meeting.  On the agenda was a presentation of Stantec officials to the board.  

During its presentation, Stantec officials, stressing that no decision has  been made to move the State Fair from its current location, called on the public to imagine a transformation at the fairgrounds and said that could be the impetus for change at the International District. The area surrounding the fairgrounds has some of the deadliest intersections for pedestrians in New Mexico. A presentation at the August  State Fair District board meeting detailed the areas historical high crime rates. The area is also viewed as a “food desert” because of the  recent closures of a nearby CVS, Walgreens and Walmart. The area is also viewed as  “heat island,” due to the lack of tree canopy and green space. The Trust for Public Lands also rates it as one of Albuquerque areas with the highest need for a public park.

Stantec designer Nancy Locke  released to the State Fair District Board the results of a recent neighborhood survey, which found that nearby neighbors most want “safe, welcoming neighborhoods;” “economic prosperity for neighborhood residents;” and “public health and social services.”

Instead of the current layout of the fairgrounds, which is 93% pavement, Locke listed off possibilities for the master plan, including designs for “livable density, incorporating agriculture, farming, youth programs, commercial areas that act as like a third place” as well as “open space, bike paths” and other transportation solutions that “get people out of their cars and get people walking.” 

Given how closed off the fairgrounds is from Central Avenue and the International District neighborhoods just beyond them, Locke said the firm thinks it’s important to establish a greater connection between the grounds and the neighborhood, as well as establish a large green space that could be used for multiple purposes. Locke said this of the new Central Avenue connection:

“It ideally wears multiple hats. … It serves multiple needs, and it will be driven, really, by what we’re hearing from the community going forward.”

Locke reported that Santec is completing its “analysis” phase, which includes market analysis and public engagement and that  the firm is moving toward its “master plan development phase. ”  Locke said “options abound” and she told the board this:

“There’s a whole range of opportunities that we can start to imagine and start to lay the base for [re development of the area]”. 

SPENDING APPROVED TO ACQUIRE LAND

The State Fair District Board  approved spending up to $22.5 million to acquire an eight-acre area on the southeast corner of the fairgrounds, which currently has about 17 parcels and 13 condominium units. According to former Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez, who is spearheading the project on behalf of Lujan Grisham, said the real property acquisition is a necessary step as the board seeks approval for future spending,

The link to the quoted or relied upon news source is here:

https://sourcenm.com/2025/09/25/nm-fairgrounds-redevelopment-board-approves-property-acquisition-begin-new-planning-phase/

COMMENTARY AND ANALYSIS

AFFORDABLE HOUSEING

Efforts to address “affordable housing” continue to be a major topic of discussion for the State Fairgrounds District Board and have been a very  big part of the presentations made to the board by Stantec in the redevelopment plan for the property.  Proposing to commandeer a good portion of the Expo NM State Fair Property for affordable housing is as absurd as it gets.

The term affordable housing is about as misleading as it gets.  It is a term often used by politicians, elected officials and developers to promote their own personal or political agendas. Simply put construction costs are consistent when it comes to housing and in today’s market are extremely high as are existing housing costs.  When the term “affordable housing” is used by the politicians, elected officials and developer’s, what is usually meant is “subsidized government housing”. 

Affordable housing or subsidized housing for low-income income earners is not the highest and best use of any portion of the 236 acres of prime property for development in the center of Albuquerque. It would put a small dent in the  projected shortage of housing.  Efforts for such a use for the State Fair grounds should be abandoned in that it would impair the over all goal and development of the property for projects that benefit the entire community as a whole and public use.

Development of affordable housing or subsidized housing within the existing neighborhoods South in the International District and East of the Fairgrounds is where it is needed and not on the State Fair grounds property itself.

CITY NEEDS TO TAKE AGGRESSIVE ACTION TO DEAL NUISANCE PROPERTIES AND UNHOUSED AROUND FAIR GROUNDS

The City of Albuquerque must and can as it has in the past take aggressive action to deal with nuisance properties that are magnets for crime in the immediate surrounding neighborhoods, especially in the International District. Mayor Tim Keller needs to aggressively enforce the city’s vagrancy laws to deal with the homeless, including making arrests if need be and to  provide services to them designed to get them off the streets.

From 2001 to 2009, East Central in the International District was in fact cleaned up before by the Safe City Strike Force with aggressive code enforcement action against Central motels and violent bars that the city tore down or closed. The bars located near the State Fair that were closed or torn down by the Safe City Strike Force included the Blue Spruce Bar (Central and Louisiana), Rusty’s Cork and Bottle (San Pedro and Central) and the Last Chance Bar and Grill (Central and Louisiana). The Safe City Strike Force took code enforcement action against 48 of the 150 motels along central, many near the State Fair grounds and forced compliance with building codes and mandated repairs to the properties.

BUILDING A NEW MULTI PURPOSE ARENA

One major project that is being suggested that merits serious discussion is building a new arena as part of the redevelopment of the existing Expo New Mexico property. The new venue would be a modern arena that would have the capacity to support year-round large-scale concerts and events. It would replace the existing Tingley Coliseum. Demolishing the 60-year-old Tingly Coliseum and building a multipurpose entertainment and sports facility with the capacity of upwards 20,000 has been a dream of many a Governor, State Fair Commissions and Fair Managers.

Tingley Coliseum was built in 1957 and has a  seating capacity for 11,000 people. Over the years it’s been repeatedly remodeled and upgraded. Tingley Coliseum last year had $2 million worth of upgrades geared toward replacing old seats and fixing the electrical system. The work that began in November permanently removed the benches and outdated 80’s-era seats for new, wider ones. In the process, the coliseum lost roughly 700 of its total 10,000 seats, but officials plan to make up the loss with more standing-room availability.

The City of Albuquerque for decades has needed a large capacity, multipurpose entertainment venue after demolition of the 30 year old Albuquerque Civic Auditorium in 1986. It was back on February 25, 2019 that it was reported that there is a need for such a facility and EXPO New Mexico was in the final stages of conducting a feasibility study on the construction of a new arena on the state fairgrounds. Absolutely nothing ever happened with the feasibility study and its collecting dust somewhere in the State Fair manger’s office.

HIGHEST AND BEST USE OF PROPERTY IS EXPO NEW MEXICO

Expo New Mexico can be revitalized into an Entertainment and Commercial Hub  that could revitalize the entire SE Heights and surrounding area with creation of all new commercial property areas leased by the State Fair for shops, restaurants, theaters and entertainment venues that would also be used for operations of the annual State Fair and during the State Fair itself.

There should be no affordable housing and no other housing on the property. No portion of the State Fair acreage should be sold to any developer. Efforts to revitalize adjoining neighborhoods should only be undertaken by private developers perhaps with state and city development and tax incentives.

OTHER VENUES

Getting rid of the “midway” ride area on the South side and replacing it with year-round entertainment venues and facilities is in order. Demolishing existing, aging specialty exhibition halls, such as the Manuel Lujan building and livestock exhibition stables and replacing them with new, larger facilities with multipurpose usages likewise is in order. Removing the flea market and replacing it with a Farmers Market or a permanent arts and crafts shopping area should be in the mix.

There are two major facilities that could be integral parts of an entertainment and commercial district hub: the Downs Race Track and Casino if they want to still be a part of the State Fair and the proposed new multipurpose arena. Part of the redevelopment of the existing Expo New Mexico property would be the building of a new, modern arena to replace Tingly Coliseum that would support year-round large-scale concerts and events. It’s a capital improvement project that needs to go forward. With the continuing historical  state revenue surpluses, the building of a multipurpose state of the art arena to replace Tingly Coliseum would be an investment for future generations.

FINAL COMMENTARY

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller, Senate Pro Tempore Mimi Stewart, State Representative Janelle Anyanonu, City Councilor Nichole Rogers and County Commissioner Adriann Barboa who are the elected officials and politicians on the “State Fairgrounds District Board” need to keep their greedy little hands off the State Fair grounds and abandon any effort to move it or dedicate it for affordable housinmg. Simply put, the surrounding neighborhoods, businesses and their constituents want the State Fair to remain where it is.

Affordable housing is not the highest and best use for the property. The highest and best use of the 236 acres of property is the State Fair itself and keeping it as Expo New Mexico and developing a year-round Entertainment District and to preserve the New Mexico State Fair and Expo New Mexico where it is now.

Below are links to related blog articles:

Second Meeting Of State Fairgrounds District Board Held With Update Of Master Plan Presented; Neighborhoods Surrounding Fair Grounds Falsely Characterized As “Statewide Epicenter of Homicide, Violence, Homeless Despair, Drug Addiction And Criminal Activity”; Highest And Best Use Of Property Is Expo New Mexico With No Affordable Housing

“State Fairgrounds District Board” Holds First Meeting; Gov. MLG Merely Suggests State Fair May Not Be Moved Contrary To Her Expressed Thoughts; Development Of Master Plans Moves Forward; Highest And Best Use Of Property Is “Expo New Mexico” And Creation Of Year Around Entertainment District With No Affordable Housing   

On September 30, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham issued a proclamation convening a special session of the New Mexico State Legislature to convene at noon Wednesday, October 1, at the State Capitol Building in Santa Fe. The Governor is convening the special session  to address the significant challenges of federal funding cuts resulting from President Trump’s  budget reconciliation bill H.R.1, the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.”

According to the Governor’s press release  announcing the Special Session and its agenda,  the governor’s call to action comes as New Mexicans face unprecedented challenges caused by massive reductions in federal support for critical programs including Medicaid, SNAP food assistance and public broadcasting services. The federal budget reconciliation bill signed into law by  Trump on  July 4 cuts taxes for the rich while slashing discretionary spending through 2034, with devastating consequences for New Mexico families and communities.

Governor Lujan Grsham said this in a statement:

“We’re not going to stand by while Washington abandons New Mexico families. … This special session is about protecting the people who need help most.”

Kari Armijo, the Cabinet Secretary for the New Mexico Health Care Authority, said this:

“While the new federal law brings significant changes, our focus is clear: protecting benefits and services for the 40 percent of New Mexicans who rely on our programs for health care and food assistance.  … We’re committed to maintaining a strong safety net through these challenges.”

SPECIAL SESSION AGENDA

During the special session, lawmakers will consider only the following measures:

• RURAL HEALTH CARE DELIVERY FUND EXPANSION: Amending the Rural Health Care Delivery Fund to allow for grants to health care providers and facilities in high-needs geographic health professional shortage areas and stabilize the provision of existing health care services.
• HEALTH INSURANCE EXCHANGE ELIGIBILITY: Adjusting eligibility requirements for participating in the New Mexico health insurance exchange.
• VACCINE STANDARDS: Requiring rules for the immunization of children attending school or child care to be based on the recommendations of the New Mexico Department of Health, allowing the Department of Health to set vaccination standards for adults, and requiring vaccines purchased pursuant to the statewide vaccine purchasing program to be recommended by the Department of Health.
• FEDERAL BUDGET CUTS RESPONSE: Appropriating funds to respond to recent federal budget cuts.
•  WESTERN NEW MEXICO UNIVERSITY BOARD OF REGENTS: Confirming regents to the Western New Mexico University Board of Regents.
• AMENDING COMPETENCY PROCEDURES: Amending competency laws to allow metropolitan courts to determine competency.
• BEHAVIORAL HEALTH LEGAL PROCEEDINGS: Appropriating funds to the Administrative Office of the Courts for a competency pilot program and behavioral health support for parties in legal proceedings.
• APPROPRIATION CONTINGENCY FUND: Transferring funds into the Appropriation Contingency Fund to ensure New Mexico has money set aside for emergency response.
• REGULATION AND LICENSING DEPARTMENT FUNDING: Appropriating funds to supplement the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department’s budget.
• INTERSTATE MEDICAL LICENSING COMPACT: Studying and preparing for the implementation of any interstate medical licensing compact.
• LEGISLATIVE EXPENSES: Appropriating funds for the expenses of the Fifty-Seventh Legislature, First Special Session, 2025.

HOUSE AND SENATE LEADERSHIP REACT

Both the  New Mexico House and Senate Majority leadership have approved the Governor’s call for a Special Session and as well as the agenda.

Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth said this in the Governor’s call  statement:

“The cuts coming from Washington are not theoretical, they are happening now and will directly harm New Mexican families who are struggling to put food on the table or cannot afford healthcare. … This special session allows us to respond immediately to Washington’s dysfunction and take the first critical steps to protect our state’s progress.”

House Speaker Javier Martínez said this in the Governor’s call statement:

“Deep federal budget cuts and continued chaos in Washington, D. C. are making life harder and more expensive for New Mexicans now. But New Mexico’s leaders are ready for this fight, so we’re stepping up to address the most pressing issues facing families: skyrocketing healthcare premiums, seniors losing food benefits, and rural healthcare providers on the brink. … This special session is about making sure families across our state have access to the things they cannot live without.”

The October 1 special session will be the first called by Lujan Grisham since a July 2024 session focused on crime-related issues that ended with the Democratic-controlled Legislature adjourning without taking action on most of the governor’s proposed agenda. In an effort to avoid the same fate with the October 1 session, the Governor’s Office top staffers have been meeting with Democratic legislative leaders in recent weeks about a special session spending package that could exceed $400 million. That funding would come from nearly $3.5 billion in unspent money in state reserve funds, as state revenue levels have surged to record-high levels in recent years.

TRUMP’S “ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL” 

Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” is in fact a large tax reduction package signed into law that  trimmed close to $1 trillion from Medicaid, Medicare and subsidies from the Affordable Care Act and $230 billion from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, spending over the next 10 years  to pay for the tax reductions.  State health officials are warning that Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” he signed in July  could lead to more than 90,000 New Mexico residents losing health care coverage and the possible closure of rural hospitals.

New Mexico has one of the nation’s highest Medicaid enrollment rates where roughly 38% of state residents are enrolled.  According to state executive and legislative branch economists the federal budget bill is projected to cost the state an average of $206 million per year over the next five years. U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., said last week that could eventually translate to $4 billion in annual spending shortfalls for the state.  House Speaker Javier Martínez, D-Albuquerque, said some New Mexicans are set to face health insurance plan cost increases of up to 52% at the end of this year if lawmakers do not take action.

Links to relied upon or quoted news sources are here:

https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2025/09/30/governor-convenes-special-legislative-session-to-address-federal-funding-cuts-and-budget-crisis/

https://www.abqjournal.com/news/article_beb999c2-8035-489a-8ce8-69aef1b6bd82.html#tncms-source=home-featured-7-block

COMMENTARY AND  ANALYSIS

On September 4 when Governor Lujan Grisham first made it know that she would call the legislature into Special Session on October 1, she made it clear  the session would be confined to measures to deal with the severe budget cuts called for in Trump’s enacted “Big Beautiful Bill” and said the special session would primarily focus on federal cuts to programs such as Medicaid.  While announcing the special session’s start date of October 1, the Governor’s Office  confirmed that hot-button legislation dealing with crime would  be deferred  until the start of the 30-day regular session in January. Bills dealing with juvenile crime and firearm restrictions are  expected to be delayed until next year’s 30-day session.

HOT BUTTON ISSUE ON SPECIAL SESSION AGENDA

Notwithstanding the Governors originally announced intent not to include hot button issues in the special session, she has included the hot button issue of studying and preparing for the implementation of an  interstate medical licensing compact which is an agreement among states to accept medical licenses from other states that have adopted such compacts. It would allow  a doctor licensed in another state to simply  show  that they are a licensed physician in another state  in order to have the NM Medical Board to quickly approve a license to practice  in New Mexico.  Such compacts allow health care workers licensed in other states to work in New Mexico, which advocates say would address the state’s shortage of medical professionals. New Mexico is a member of just one interstate compact agreement which is for nurses  and is one of only four states that participate in one or fewer compacts. Earlier this year, lawmakers passed seven compact agreements out of the state House, but all stalled in the state Senate.

https://sourcenm.com/2025/09/22/nm-senate-dems-unlikely-to-move-on-medical-compacts-for-special-session/

New Mexico trial lawyers over many years have aggressively opposed  the compacts despite their adoption in over 40 other states. Trial  lawyers and personal injury lawyers  oppose a provision that prevents them from suing the interstate compact commissions, the board that would  oversee the compact.  Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth, a highly respected Santa Fe trial attorney, has  opposed  the enactment of an interstate medical licensing compact in the past and has been severely criticized for it. He failed to keep the issues off the Special Session agenda to no avail and accepted as a compromise to studyi and prepare  for the implementation of an  interstate medical licensing compact.  Senator Wirth has reversed his original opposition and issued the following statement:

” I do support the medical compacts. I think that’s priority number one, and we’re going to get that done in January and work hard between now and then to make it happen. But it’s just not ready to go at this point in the special session.”

FINAL COMMENTARY

It is absolutely clear from the Governor’s press release calling the October 1 Special Session and setting its agenda and the comments made by Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth and New Mexico Speaker of the House Speaker Javier Martínez,  a strong consensus has been reached on how to deal with the severe budget cuts and damage done by Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” to New Mexico.

The October 1 special session is designed to find ways to offset the impact of federal funding cuts passed by Congress and approved by President Trump in July. The goal is to ensure initiatives like the rural health care delivery fund and food assistance programs can continue operating and make sure Medicaid recipients do not lose health coverage.

What Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth and Speaker of the House Javier Martínez said about the Special Session when it was first announced is worth repeating.  

Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth said this:

“New Mexico cannot stand by while Washington’s reckless budget cuts inflict generational harm on families and communities across the state.  …. A special session is essential to protect our rural healthcare providers, safeguard Medicaid coverage, and ensure that New Mexicans don’t bear the burden of federal failures.”

Speaker of the House Javier Martínez said this:

“New Mexico is not going to allow Trump and the radical right to take food off your table or kick your family off your healthcare plan.  … We have been hard at work evaluating how this federal budget will impact New Mexico and how we can best fight back. Now, we’re ready to roll up our sleeves to protect access to the services you and your families need most.”

The Special Session is expected to be a brief but fast-paced special session that will last only a few days.