Jaemes Shanley is a retired business executive who resides in the Mark Twain neighborhood in Albuquerque’s mid heights.  He is the President of the Mark Twain Neighborhood Association and the Vice President of the District 7 Neighborhood Coalition comprised of over 10 neighborhood associations. Mr. Shanley has been connected to Albuquerque since 1969 and a continuous resident since 2006 after extended periods residing and working in Australia, Tokyo, Japan, and Boston, MA.

Jaemes Shanley submitted the below guest opinion column to be published on www.PeteDinelli.com on the proposed Blackstone, Inc acquisition of the Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM). The acquisition must be approved by the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission who are currently holding hearing on the proposed acquisition. Mr. Shanley’s guest column is being published as a public service announcement to educate the public. Jaemes Shanley has given his consent to publish his article with no compensation.

The Public Regulation Commission Should Say NO To Blackstone, Inc. Acquisition Of PNM

We Won’t Know What We’ve Got ‘Till It’s Gone!

By Jaemes Shanley

On Thursday afternoon, February  5^th in the hearing room of the Public Regulation Commission at 4100 Osuna NE, a startlingly large number of New Mexicans of diverse age, gender, and ethnicity gathered to express their opinions about the proposed acquisition of Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM), our largest utility and supplier of electricity to a majority of NM residents, by private equity firm Blackstone Inc..  The Commissioners appeared surprised by the numbers, which filled the room to overflowing, with many required to stand, and people lined up out of the room in the hallway.  By the standard of City Council meetings I have recently attended, the event was relatively orderly, though not as quiet as Commissioners wished.  Opinions expressed, by my estimate, were 20 or more to 1 against the acquisition.

After 3 hours of continuous comment and many still waiting to speak, Commissioners closed the session and have scheduled it to resume as a virtual meeting at 3pm on February 12^th

(https://www.prc.nm.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026.02.12-Notice-of-Public-Comment-Hearing-25-00060.pdf ).

The following day, Friday, February 6^th, the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) approved the proposed acquisition of Texas-New Mexico Power Company (TXNM), sole owner of PNM, based on their determination the acquisition is “in the public interest”.     As a member of the “public” in New Mexico, I must confess to being unaccustomed to my “interest” being determined by an agency of the Texas state government.

PNM, which serves 550,000 NM customers, is the larger of two utility entities wholly owned by TXNM, the other being Texas New Mexico Power (TNMP) which serves 260,000 homes and businesses across Texas.   TXNM annual revenue is approx. $2.2 billion, of which more than 62% is derived from New Mexico.

WINNERS AND LOSERS

The enticements being offered by Blackstone to TXNM shareholders, of which over 84% are institutional investors, are not trivial.   Their offer price per share is at a 23% premium over the prevailing share trading price prior to the offer, a $1.4 billion “bonus”.

Rate paying PNM customers are also being offered some financial scraps in exchange for their future vassalage to a New York company whose assets under management exceed the GDP of all but the world’s 21 largest nations. The financial incentives being offered are:

• $105 million in rate credits over the 4 years after acquisition. That translates to $3.98 per customer per month for 48 months.  Truly life changing!
• $10 million over 10 years for Good Neighbor Fund support to low-income customers. If 5% of PNM customers are low income that will translate into a whopping $3.03 per month in assistance for a decade most if not all of it likely to be consumed by future rate increases.
• $35 million for economic development and workforce training; offered once in exchange for harvesting over $1.4 billion per year in revenues, until they start squeezing the PRC for even more.
• $25 million for clean technology investments. Really!?  At this stage of threat from climate change, Blackstone promises to invest, over an unspecified period, just 1.8% of one year’s gross PNM revenue?

The shareholders of TXNM, including managers with stock rights incentives, are undoubtedly thrilled by their financial windfall should this acquisition be approved.  A $1.4 billion share price bonus is nothing to sneer at.  Let us not be surprised nor outraged if they favor this deal.

The electricity rate payers of New Mexico, on the other hand, should the deal be approved, will mourn their further subjugation to the whims and arbitrary extraction of their money, without effective recourse, by an entity headquartered in New York in exchange for a few “crumbs” of short-term rates relief.

To those who will claim that a Blackstone owned and controlled PNM will still be subject to PRC oversight and approval of rate increases etc., please consider the position of the PRC when Blackstone is able to “engineer” the financials and infrastructure it fully and privately controls  to threaten brownouts or blackouts, selectively or broadly, if it does not receive approval for rate increases it demands so it can deliver returns on invested capital to its real customers, the already uber-wealthy  investors in its managed funds.

WHAT IS PRIVATE EQUITY AND WHY DOES IT HAVE SO MUCH MONEY TO SPEND?

In the simplest of terms, private equity is the vast ocean of capital that results when a nation transitions its focus from spending priorities with longer term horizons like manufacturing, infrastructure, R&D, and maintaining an upwardly mobile middle class, to prioritizing short term financial return.  Among the byproducts of that transition are widening income inequality, growing pools of excess wealth needing to be invested, and an explosion of mergers and acquisitions no longer restrained by enforcement of antitrust law.

WHO IS BLACKSTONE INC.?

Blackstone, Inc., founded in 1985 by Stephen Schwarzman (current Chairman & CEO) and Peter Peterson, has leveraged the tools of capitalism and favorable tax law to transform $400,000 in seed capital into a market capitalization of $159 billion and a $1.3 trillion portfolio of Assets Under Management with 2025 revenue of $24.22 billion and net income of $5.55 billion.

Their portfolio is highly diversified reflecting no specialization or priority focus.  It includes hotels, food, information, business services, specialty retail, medical devices, technology, communications, oil & gas, healthcare, and real estate.  Review of their acquisitions reveals only one strategic consistency, the opportunity to extract good returns.  An example is their acquisition after the 2007 sub-prime mortgage crisis of $5.5 billion worth of multi-family homes for rent and sale after prices recovered.

Blackstone has been a public company since 2007 and is therefore bound by fiduciary obligation to prioritize above anything else a positive return for its shareholders.  Its fund and operations managers are compensated and incentivized with bonuses based solely on their delivery of returns to their investors at higher rates than bank or treasuries can offer.  Customer satisfaction of their acquisitions is irrelevant to that mission.

PUBLIC UTILITIES / PRIVATE EQUITY

When businesses operate in a competitive environment, customers have leverage to demand service because they can take their business elsewhere.   A public utility is a de facto monopoly.  As customers of PNM, we do not have the option to unplug from their grid and plug in to another.  That inescapable fact makes us vulnerable to exploitation and abuse in the wrong hands.  Locating those hands in New York is no way to protect the rate paying citizens of New Mexico.

Blackstone has already declared that if successful in their bid, they will take TXNM private, further insulating it from the pernicious influence of public accountability.

The big question now before the 3 member Public Regulation  Commission (NMPRC) that will approve or block the sale of PNM/TXNM to Blackstone, is whether or not they will sell our future energy autonomy, security and affordability to an out-of-state entity with intimidating financial power and influence, no commitment to a vision for New Mexico’s energy future, a troubling record of litigation over their management of multiple businesses, and vested interest in companies and industries (i.e.. AI data centers) which can benefit from biased application of rates for electric power.

THE FUTURE OF ENERGY AND NEW MEXICO

 New Mexico is a state phenomenally endowed with potential to lead in the transition from carbon-based energy to solar, geo-thermal, and other energy technologies.  Electricity will be the currency of that transformation, powering homes, businesses, cars, appliances, communication, data services and manufacturing industry.   The capital needed to invest in realization of that potential does not require handing over the keys, control and ultimate benefits to an out-of-state shark pool of the ultra-wealthy.

There could be no wiser nor more appropriate allocation of at least partial support for such capital investments than from State of New Mexico reserves accumulated from oil and gas royalties.  Frankly speaking, it is difficult to understand how the State and people of New Mexico would not optimally benefit from an outright acquisition of PNM and making it a Public Service Company in both name and deed.  Its financials indicate a solid capacity to match the rate of return New Mexico now enjoys from its +/- $60 billion sovereign wealth fund.

There could be nothing more short-sighted and short-changing of New Mexico citizens than to hand over to a private equity company full ownership of our most promising treasure, a financially established and stable clean energy future fed by the abundant sunshine, wind, and geothermal energy gifted to us.

IF PNM WAS NOT A PRIZE, BLACKSTONE WOULD NOT BE TRYING TO BUY IT!

It is as imprudent to consider surrendering “ownership” of electric power generation and transmission in New Mexico to an out of state entity as it would be to similarly surrender rights and ownership of water and air.

Failure to prevent this out of state acquisition will only further fulfill the dystopian projections of economist Thomas Piketty in 2013, whose Capital in the Twenty-First Century predicted that unregulated concentration of ownership and resulting inequality will produce a society of serfs.  He asserted that unrestricted market forces had already advanced so far on that trajectory that only government intervention could avert it.  Nothing in observable reality over the intervening years, discredits his predictions.

Joni Mitchell also warned us in 1970, with far greater economy of words.

There are now a lot more things threatening paradise than parking lots.   We in New Mexico should not let Blackstone Inc. be one of them.

 CALL TO ACTION

 Members of the public are urged to send written comment about this acquisition to PRC Commissioners using PRCe360 at https://e360.prc.nm.gov/ or can mail letters or statements to each of the Commissioners (Chair Gabriel Aguilera, Greg Nibert, and Pat O’Connell) at P.O. Box 1269, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87504.

Individuals who have not previously signed up to comment at the February 5th hearing who wish to comment at the February 12th hearing must sign up by contacting Patrick Rodriguez at public.comment@prc.nm.gov or (505) 490-7910 by 5pm the day before the hearing.

RESPECTFULLY,

Jaemes Shanley

___________________________

POSTSCRIPT

Links to all reference materials relied upon for this article are here:

https://www.marketbeat.com/stocks/NYSE/TXNM/institutional-ownership/

https://www.txnmenergy.com/about-us/at-a-glance.aspx

https://www.pnm.com/acquisition

https://www.blackrock.com/corporate/newsroom/press-releases/article/corporate-one/press-releases/blackrock-reports-fourth-quarter-2025

https://www.investing.com/news/sec-filings/txnm-energy-inc-approves-new-executive-compensation-plans-93CH-3897979

https://www.sic.state.nm.us/about-the-sic/

https://www.aol.com/news/data-centers-powering-blackstones-1-184937049.html

https://texaslawbook.net/blackstones-rushed-788m-sale-of-energy-company-kicks-off-docket-of-dallas-business-court/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackstone_Inc.#Buyouts_(2005–2007)

https://www.investing.com/academy/trading/blackrock-vs-blackstone/

https://pestakeholder.org/news/blackstone-plans-to-acquire-multi-utility-txnm-raising-concerns-about-energy-affordability/

https://www.marketscreener.com/quote/stock/TXNM-ENERGY-INC-14072/company-shareholders/

https://stockanalysis.com/stocks/txnm/market-cap/

https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/PNMXO/financials/

https://stockanalysis.com/stocks/bx/market-cap/?__v=1770565952015

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Mexico_Public_Regulation_Commission

On December 3, 2024, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham announced plans to move the New Mexico State Fair to a different location and redevelop the 236 acre State Fair property into a mixed-use development. On March 21, 2025, the New Mexico legislature passed legislation creating the “State Fairgrounds District.” It is a board that has redevelopment funding authority over the existing State Fairgrounds area. The board has no authority to move the fairgrounds. It will be up to the New Mexico State Fair Commission to make the decision to move the fairgrounds.

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 improvements to repurpose the property. According to the legislation, the board will govern the development of the district for six years.

Voting members of the State Fairgrounds District Governing Board are:

• Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, chairperson
• 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

NM SENATE APPROVES $93 MILLION IN BONDS

On February 6, 2026 the New Mexico Senate approved Senate Bill 48 which would authorize $92 million in bonds for the Expo New Mexico fairgrounds redevelopment project.  The legislation is sponsored by Senate President Pro Tempore Mimi Stewart and Representative Janelle Anyanonu, both who are voting members of State Fairgrounds District Board.  Senate Bill 48 requires approval from both chambers of the NM Legislature before the bonds can be issued. Senate Bill 48 will be forwarded to the New Mexico House for approval.

Since the project’s launch, the State Board of Finance has approved nearly $100 million in initial funding for land acquisition and infrastructure improvements, including a 10-acre public park with trails, play areas and pedestrian safety upgrades along the Fairgrounds’ boundary.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said this in a statement:

“Today’s Senate vote moves us one step closer to a historic revitalization of the International District and central Albuquerque. … This bonding authority in a neighborhood with enormous potential will create the kind of mixed-use development with housing, vibrant streets and the economic opportunity that this community deserves.”

The master plan for the Fairgrounds, currently under development by Stantec design firm, will be finalized in the next few weeks. The master plan will guide decisions about the site’s future, including potential mixed-income housing, a new exhibition hall and expanded green space as well as possibly moving the State Fair.

In December, the state’s design contractor, Stantec Consulting Services, unveiled three preliminary designs for the fairgrounds, all of which include a hotel and event venue, parks, retail space and mixed-income housing. One of the designs proposes relocating the fair, a topic that became a sticking point for some on the Senate floor.

During Friday’s debate, several Republican senators expressed concern about the possibility of the State Fair being moved from Albuquerque. Several  Republican senators raised concerns on behalf of rural communities.

Minority Whip Sen. Pat Woods, R-Broadview, questioned whether lawmakers were effectively ceding control to an unelected commission.

Sen. Candy Spence Ezzell, R-Roswell said this:

“I’m upset about what they’re planning on doing if this move does take place.  … I’m really upset where a commission gets to make the decision for every person in the state.”

Ezzell also criticized conditions in the surrounding neighborhood, saying the state should “clean up the streets” before investing in beautification.

The State Board of Finance has already approved $89.35 million for land acquisition and a 10-acre public park with trails and pedestrian safety upgrades along the fairground’s boundary on the Southwest corner of San Pedro and Central.

Senator Stewart insisted a decision on whether to move the fair has not yet been made. She also said that decision will ultimately be made by the State Fair Commission, not the State Fairgrounds District Board. Members of the board include Stewart, Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller and Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.

A spokesperson for Lujan Grisham’s office said the master plan for the 236-acre parcel of land “will be finalized in the next few weeks.”

Links to quoted or relied upon news sources are here:

https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2026/02/06/senate-approves-92-million-for-state-fairgrounds-project-funding-would-support-parks-infrastructure-improvements/

https://www.abqjournal.com/news/state-senate-approves-92-million-for-state-fairgrounds-project/2976539

https://www.krqe.com/news/politics-government/legislature/92-million-approved-by-the-new-mexico-senate-for-state-fairgrounds-redevelopment/

GOVERNOR MLG’s FUNDING REQUESTS

On  December 22, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham released her $11.3 billion proposed budget for the fiscal year 2026 to 2027 which will commence July 1, 2026 and end June 30, 2027. The Governor’s proposed budget contains a proposed $100 million allocation to select, acquire and build a new State Fairgrounds.  If also contains another $100 million for State Fairgrounds revitalization projects, including affordable housing, park areas and new entertainment venues.

It is understood that Senate Bill 48 for $92 million in bonds for the Expo New Mexico fairgrounds redevelopment project is broken down to include $14 Million for land acquisitions of the 8 acres of land on the Southwest corner of San Pedro and Central with the balance of $78 million for infrastructure repairs and improvements to the existing fair grounds.  The $100 million allocation requested to select, acquire and build a new State Fairgrounds will be in the capital improvements bill still pending.

CONCEPT PLANS RELEASED

On December 8, 2025 the Governor’s Office released to the public three concept plans prepared by Stantec for the development of the State Fair property. All three Concept Plans call for major redevelopment of the Southwest corner of land now privately owned and with existing business at San Pedro  and Central Avenue.

The state is already moving to acquire for $22 million the property  with the issuance of bonds to finance the acquisition of the properties either by negotiations with the property and business owners or by litigation and adverse condemnation. Confidential sources have confirmed that letters inquiring about the acquisition of the property have already gone out.

Two of three designs keep the fair where it is but on a reduced footprint, and they share many of the same amenities, though they differ in size and quantity.

Concept One maintains the midway, using it as a large parking lot for the rest of the year, but adds a new exhibition space, a 10-acre park, affordable housing, an event center and a hotel to the grounds’ south side.

Concept Two significantly reduce the midway while new amenities like an event center would take up more space. The second design also includes space for a museum.

Concept Three is the most draconian of the three plans. It would require the fairgrounds to be completely relocated. On top of the amenities present in the previous designs, this design would include “hundreds” of housing units, a school, workforce development center and two parks that would add 20 acres for park areas.

Regardless of which of the three concept designs the state chooses, all three share similarities, including a hotel, event venue, a new park, mixed-income housing and retail space. The tree-lined Main Street is preserved in all three designs.

All three of the concept plans place a major emphasis and dedicate large portions of the State Fair property to affordable housing and large park areas. The mixed used housing would include apartments, condominiums and town homes for low income or subsidized housing.

On November 11, after the  State Fair District Board meeting, Governor Lujan Grisham was interviewed by KRQE News 13.  The governor said she favors the third Concept Plan, which is the most aggressive concept plan that proposes moving the state fair. The Governor  said she is still waiting for cost estimates before making a final decision. The governor said this:

“I want a whole new footprint in the middle, the center of historic Albuquerque. I prefer option 3. …This state needs and deserves a robust state fair property.

Governor Lujan Grisham said she shares frustrations about crime in the area and criticized what she called a “lack of leadership and inadequate response from local officials and first responders.”

The Governor said this:

“When I look at the outcomes here, I am feeling very frustrated by the lack of progress. … I think this community should demand that we are all working together. … I think redevelopment has a real impact. … Prosperity makes opportunity.”

The Governor argued that redevelopment could help shift the neighborhood’s trajectory.

STRONG OPPOSITION TO MOVING STATE FAIR IGNORED BY GOVERNOR

Governor Lujan Grisham’s proposal to moving the state fair has been met with strong opposition and resentment from area residents of Albuquerque’s International District, which has dealt with rampant and rising drug use and homelessness in recent years. The proposed redevelopment has proven controversial with residents in the International District who say that they are concerned the funding will do little to help the neighborhood, will uproot the historic annual State Fair and will, like past efforts at fairgrounds redevelopment, be a flop.

On February 26, 2025,  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. Most if not all of the public present for the February 26 meeting were very hostile to 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 Tim Keller Administration have been a total failure in cleaning up Central and the city has failed to address crime and 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.

COMMENTARY AND ANALYSIS

It’s downright laughable and pathetic that Governor Lujan Grisham requested $100 million dollars in her proposed 2026-2027 budget for moving the state fairgrounds. There have been at least two prior studies on the cost of moving the State Fairgrounds that have found that the cost would be $1 Billion to $1.1 Billion dollars, but the Governor simply ignores both.

PATHETIC REQUEST FOR $100 MILLION

What makes Governor Lujan Grisham’s $100 Million request of the 2026 Legislature to move the fairgrounds so very pathetic is no one has actually studied nor proposed exactly where the state fair would be moved nor determine the actual cost.  On December 3, 2024 when Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham announced her plan to move the State Fair, no new location was announced but she suggested that keeping the State Fair centrally located such as in Bernalillo, Valencia or Torrance County would be beneficial due to the interstates. Governor Lujan Grisham said this:

“We have made the decision preliminarily to ask for folks to focus on the center of the state … but there are a lot of spaces. Though Albuquerque is a bit constrained, there are still plenty of opportunities in Bernalillo County. Imagine, if you will, that Valencia County could offer up some interesting proposals, that the South Valley right here in Bernalillo County [could do the same]. Bernalillo County ought to think about where would a new developed platform in space be. Maybe Torrance County, maybe Edgewood and Santa Fe.

Governor Lujan Grisham has embraced Concept 3 as her preferred plan which calls for moving the State Fair. It is painfully obvious that Governor Lujan Grisham is simply ignoring the public opposition to moving the State Fair knowing that she is a lame duck with less than  a year left before her term ends to accomplish a legacy project she wants and to be rubber stamped by her appointed State Fair District Board and State Fair Commission.

Concept Plan 3 is the most draconian of the 3 Concept Plans with the ultimate goal of moving  the State Fair ground. Governor Lujan Grisham said she would like to see the project break ground before she leaves office at the end of this year.

The Governor’s words and her budgetary request for $100 million confirm what she has said and what she has known all along and that is the Governor is hell bent on moving the state fair over strong public opposition and is rushing the project to have a legacy project before she leaves office in a year.

A POLITICAL SHAM OF A BOARD 

The biggest sham is that Governor’s appointed State Fair District Board and Stantec are going along with the Governors efforts to move the State Fair so that all of its property can be dedicated to reviving and benefiting the International District. The Governor and her board have essentially  ignored  the needs and concerns of neighborhoods and businesses to the West, North and East of the Fairgrounds.  Five out of the seven State Fair District Board members are elected officials of the International District with the President of the District 6 Coalition of Neighborhoods all in the International District.   

GOVERNOR BLAMES LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AND LEADERSHIP

What is so very offensive is Governor Lujan Grisham blaming local law enforcement and local leadership for failing to deal with crime and the unhoused crisis in the International District. She then turns around in the same breath to argue that there is a need to “re dedicate” the state fair property to solve those problems.

It is clear the State Fairgrounds redevelopment is being promoted by the Governor and her appointed State Fair District Board as being some sort of a great panacea to solve the problems of crime, the homeless, lack of affordable housing and lack of economic development in the International District. It will not.

The Fair Grounds cannot be characterized as the cause or as a magnet for crime within the International District. No statistics have been presented to the State Fair board on the extent of crime that occurs on the State Fairgrounds itself. No discussion has been held or proof offered as to what extent the State Fair grounds is responsible for crime in the International District.

The International District, which is bordered by Central South of the State Fairgrounds has had for decades some of the highest violent crime, property crime and drug offense rates, so much so that it was at one time referred to as the WAR ZONE until it was officially renamed the International District, but the renaming had no impact on the trajectory of the area.  The International District continues to be plagued by high crime rates and  now has become a magnet for the homeless with encampments constantly popping up and cleaned up by the city only to pop up again.

Crime and the unhoused is what is destroying  private investment, job growth and small business development within  in the International District. After all the millions are spent to redevelop the fairgrounds, to improve infra structure and traffic flow, building a park, adding public spaces and allowing businesses and low-income housing, the problems of high crime rates and the unhoused will remain the same in the International District because they have never been solved for decades. No businesses will want to relocate to the State Fair grounds after it is developed into commercial property, and it will become a magnet for crime and for the homeless, especially with parks.

AFFORABLE HOUSING

Efforts to address “affordable housing” continue to be a major target and goal for the State Fairgrounds District Board and is a very big part of the presentations made to the State Fair District Governing Board by Stantec.  The three redevelopment Concept Plans for the property propose to commandeer a good portion of the Expo NM State Fair Property for affordable housing  and it 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 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 shortage of housing.

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.

Efforts for affordable housing use for the State Fair grounds should be abandoned in that it would impair the overall goal and development of the property for projects that benefit the entire community as a whole and for public use.

PARKS WILL BECOME MAGNETS FOR CRIME AND THE HOMELESS

All three of the concept plans place a major emphasis and dedicate large portions of the State Fair property to park areas with access from Central or San Pedro to the parks. Concept One provides a 10-acre  public park. Concept Two provides a 9-acre public park. Concept three provides for a 22-acre  public park.

The reality of the city’s homeless crisis is that parks are notoriously magnets for crime and the unhoused. At this point, the State Fairgrounds, does not have a crime problem with the New Mexico State Police having primary law enforcement responsibility to calls for service. The lack of crime on the state fair property will no doubt change with parks.

Area resident Dave Kailer was absolutely correct when he was  questioned whether a proposed park could thrive in the area and he said this:

“You know what is going to happen to that park if you put it in the war zone? It will turn into a homeless park, let’s face it. … I don’t want to be ugly about it or negative about it. I’m just being realistic.”

History tends to repeat itself over and over again especially when it comes to the homeless crisis. Governor Mitchell Lujan Grisham might as well dedicate any park on State Fair grounds property with public access as Coronado Park 2 in remembrance to Coronado Park which was closed by the city as a result of more than 125 unsheltered people taking over the park to camp and it becoming a hot bed for narcotic usage, trafficking illicit drugs and violent crime, including homicides and rapes. Coronado Park became a “de facto” city sanctioned homeless encampment thanks to Mayor Keller’s reluctance to do do anything about the unauthorized use of the park by the homeless and costing the city $50,000 to clean it up each month. Eventually, Keller declared Coronado Park as the most dangerous place in the state to be and ordered the park closed.

FINAL COMMENTARY

The Governor and her appointed State Fair District Board is attempting to use the State Fair property to solve all the crime, economic problems and lack of affordable housing of the International District.  Until you reduce crime and homelessness on Central itself and in the International District itself, redevelopment of the State Fair property as envisioned by the Governor and Stantec will fail and Governor Lujan Grisham will go down as the Governor who destroyed the State Fair for the sake of her ego.

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 housing and parks. Simply put, the surrounding neighborhoods, businesses and their constituents want the State Fair to remain where it is. They need to listen for a change and knock it off pretending to be developers.

The New Mexico Legislature, and especially all State Senators and State Representatives from Bernalillo County, need to VOTE no on any all funding to move the New Mexico State Fair.

The links to other related or quoted and relied upon news sources are here:

Will massive new funding push the New Mexico State Fair out of the city?

Three Preliminary Concept Plans For State Fair Property Presented To State Fair District Board; Governor MLG Embraces Concept Plan To Move State Fair; Gov. MLG Falsely Claims Redevelopment Of Property Will Revitalize International District’; Parks On Property Will Be Magnets For Crime And Homeless Encampments   

The  second session of the 57th New Mexico Legislature began on January 20 and it will end on February 19 when “sine die” or adjournment is declared. Thirty-day sessions are  focused on state budget matters and bills introduced by request of  the Governor or bills introduced by legislators that have a message from the governor identifying them as priorities for the session. February 4  marked the deadline for lawmakers to introduce new legislation for the remainder of the 30-day session.

Nearly 700 bills were filed in advance of the filing deadline with  378 in the House and 313 in the Senate along with roughly a dozen proposed constitutional amendments.  Many of the bills will simply not be considered since only budget-related measures and bills authorized by the governor can be considered in 30-day sessions, which are held in even-numbered years.  As of the filing deadline,  Governor Lujan Grisham had issued executive messages for 130 bills so far to be heard during this year’s session.

According to the Source NM Bill Tracker, Sen. Pete Campos (D-Las Vegas) has sponsored the most bills, with 41 sponsorships as of Wednesday morning. Sen. Elizabeth “Liz” Stefanics (D-Cerillos) is second with 29 bills and Rep. Andrea Reeb (R-Clovis) rounds out third with 26 bills.

HALFWAY POINT OF SESSION

February 4 marked the halfway point of the 2026 legislative session. Only 6 bills out of 533 bills introduced for the session won legislative approval at the hallway mark of the 30-day session. The six measures approved at midpoint are:

• House Bill 1:  Feed bill to pay for session expenses.
• House Bill 9:  Bars local governments from participating in federal civil immigration detention system.
• House Bill 50: Interstate medical compact for social workers.
• Senate Bill 1: Interstate medical compact for physicians.
• Senate Bill 2:  Increases funding for statewide road repairs and construction.
• Senate Bill 19: Allows Public Education Department to reset unit value for school funding after session concludes.

https://www.abqjournal.com/news/lawmakers-hit-midway-point-of-the-session-with-some-key-bills-dispatched-others-in-limbo/2974573

https://www.lascrucesbulletin.com/stories/halfway-through-the-30-day-legislative-session,156822

GOV. MLG SIGNS INFRASTRUCTURE, MEDICAL COMPACT BILLS AT MID-SESSION;  BIPARTISAN BILLS ADDRESS HEALTH CARE ACCESS, INVEST IN ROADS STATEWIDE

On February 5,  Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham  signed into law four bills that will strengthen New Mexico’s infrastructure, expand the state’s health care workforce and address concerns about immigrant detention.

The bills Governor Lujan Grisham signed into law are:

 Senate Bill 1: Interstate Medical Licensure Compact.   This bill allows physicians licensed in other compact states to practice in New Mexico more easily. This will help address the state’s health care workforce shortage and improve access to care, particularly in rural and underserved areas.

House Bill 50: Interstate Social Work Licensure Compact.   This bill similarly streamlines the licensure process for social workers, expanding the workforce available to support children, families, and vulnerable populations across New Mexico.

Senate Bill 2: Transportation Bonding Bill. This bill is a  $1.5 billion bonding package to improve New Mexico roads.  The bill provides a reliable source of funding for infrastructure projects across the state, supporting road improvements, bridge repairs, and transportation systems that connect New Mexican communities and drive economic growth. While Senate Bill 2 didn’t receive unanimous approval in either chamber, it did receive bipartisan support.

House Bill 9: Immigrant Safety Act.  This bill  is the most politically divisive measure  to reach the governor’s desk for signature so far. The bill bans local governments in New Mexico from contracting with the federal government to detain undocumented immigrants and others with pending civil immigration cases.  House Bill 9, creates a “bright line” between state and local resources and federal immigration enforcement, potentially forcing the closure of three detention facilities that collectively hold more than 1,000 people.

The bill  sparked heated debate about job and economic losses in the three rural counties that currently house immigration detention facilities. It was opposed unanimously by the Legislature’s Republican minority. A  handful of Democrats, mostly from the Cibola County area where one of the jails is located, also voted against it.

The bill also bans local law enforcement from entering formal partnerships with U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement allowing police to help carry out federal civil immigration enforcement efforts.

HB 9 will go into effect May 20, 2026.

https://nmpoliticalreport.com/2026/02/04/gov-set-to-sign-bill-closing-ice-facilities-in-new-mexico/

GORVERNOR THANKS LEGISLATURE

During the February 5 bill signing ceremony, Governor Lujan Grisham thanked the bill sponsors and legislative leadership for their partnership in moving the legislation forward quickly and efficiently during the session. Governor Lujan Grisham said this:

“Halfway through the session, we’re showing what’s possible when we focus on getting things done for New Mexicans.  … These bills represent major progress on issues that matter to working families, including safer roads, and more doctors and social workers to serve our communities. I look forward to getting even more done with lawmakers during the second half of the session.”

The link to the quoted news source is here:

https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2026/02/05/governor-signs-infrastructure-medical-compact-bills-at-mid-session-bipartisan-bills-address-health-care-access-and-invest-in-roads-statewide/

PROGRESS OF OTHER LEGISLATION

The progress of other major legislation and committee votes worth noting are as follows:

HOUSE BILL 2

On February 2, the House Appropriations and Finance Committee approved House Bill 2 on a bipartisan 15-3 vote a $11.1 billion spending plan that could pave the way for a high-profile New Mexico universal child care initiative to receive a funding infusion for the coming year. Three Republicans cast dissenting votes.

The House Appropriations and Finance Committee’s approved bill requires child care co-pays for higher-earning families.  The budget bill would increase year-over-year state spending by upwards of  $294.5 million, or 2.7%,  over current levels. This is  a smaller increase than in recent years, as state spending has increased by more than 70% since 2019. The  initiative would provide state-subsidized child care to all working New Mexico families, regardless of income levels.  The child care expansion, which made New Mexico the first state with universal child care when it took effect in November, has drawn national attention but also criticism from some legislators.

It’s uncertain  whether the House Appropriations and Finance Committee’s proposal to require child care co-pays for higher-earning families will be approved by the full House. Governor Lujan Grisham has consistently opposed the measure and called on lawmakers to fully fund free child care for all New Mexico families.

SENATE BILL 241 (UNIVERSAL CHILD CARE)

On  February 6,  Senate Bill 241 authorizing  universal child care statewide passed the Senate Education Committee  on a 6-3 vote.  SB 241 was  filed last  week.  SB 241 was sponsored by Sen. George Muñoz, D-Gallup.  Republican State Senator Gabriel Ramos from Silver City joined Democrats in voting in favor of the legislation. The committee’s remaining Republican members cast “no” votes.

Universal child care exists now after being implemented by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham with a governor’s  Executive Order. New Mexico became the first state to offer state-subsidized child care for all working families when Governor Lujan Grisham announced the program in September.

Lawmakers initially balked at the Lujan Grisham administration’s request for an additional $160 million in the coming year to pay for the universal child care initiative.  The approval of SB 241 by the Senate Education Committee signals a growing embrace of the program by the legislature along with more than $60 million in state funds earmarked in a separate budget bill.

The state appropriated funding to provide no-cost child care to 32,000 children last year.  According to a legislative analysis of the bill, that number is projected to increase to 58,000 children by the 2029 budget year under the universal child care program,  Already, roughly 10,000 more New Mexico children have enrolled in the state’s child care assistance program since November.

Senate Bill 241 as passed by the Senate Education Committee contains built-in “triggers” as follows:

• Allowing co-pays for higher-income families and child care wait lists.
• A state early childhood agency would be required to take certain steps if any of four different conditions occur.
• Those conditions are higher-than-expected child care enrollment, less than $50 per barrel oil prices, higher than 3% inflation and state revenue growth lagging behind inflation.
• Under any of those scenarios, the agency would either have to enact a waiting list or charge co-pays for working families making more than 600% of the federal poverty level. That amount is currently $198,000 per year for a family of four.

Early Childhood Education and Care Secretary Elizabeth Groginsky, who’s been tasked with implementing the universal child care rollout, told the Senate Education Committee the legislation would ensure state-paid child care remains in place even after Lujan Grisham leaves office at the end of this year.

Sen. George Muñoz, D-Gallup, one of the bill’s sponsors, told the Senate Education Committee  the legislation will provide lawmakers and state residents with stability as the state expands child care assistance. Muñoz said it is important lawmakers build a steady “runway” for the initiative with triggers if economic conditions deteriorate or if enrollment in the child care assistance program exceeds expectations. Muñoz said  the expansion would put “real money” in New Mexicans’ pockets by not forcing them to choose between working and expensive private child care.

Making universal child care a reality will require an estimated 5,000 additional early childhood workers around the state, and supporters of the idea say pay raises are a key part of making that happen.

Supporters of SB 241 said the creation of the early childhood trust fund in 2020 could provide a financial lifeline for the program. The trust fund has seen its value skyrocket over the last several years. It has gone  from $300 million to nearly $11 billion  thanks to record-high oil production levels in southeast New Mexico. Sen. William Soules, D-Las Cruces said even if $100 million is taken out of the fund every year to help pay for child care assistance, it would still remain solvent for decades even if investment income over that time period is flat.

The bill now advances to the Senate Finance Committee with 10 days remaining in this year’s 30-day legislative session.

https://www.abqjournal.com/news/bill-would-enshrine-universal-child-care-in-state-law-with-a-few-economic-off-ramps/2976125

HOUSE BILL 99 (MEDICAL MALPRACTICE REFORM)

On Friday, January 30, (HB-99)  known as the Medical Malpractice Reform bill passed the House Health and Human Services Committee by a vote 7-3, but only after the committee passed an “unfriendly amendment” that  eliminated  caps on punitive damages for corporately owned hospitals. An “unfriendly amendment” is one  that the bill’s sponsor does not support. House Bill 99 is a bipartisan attempt to overhaul New Mexico’s medical malpractice laws.

House Bill 99 would set caps on punitive damages in malpractice cases, pay for plaintiffs’ medical costs as they’re incurred and increase the standard of proof needed to award damages. The amendment excludes hospital systems and hospitals owned by out-of-state corporations from a proposed $6 million cap on punitive damages. A smaller $1 million cap would be put in place for independent doctors.  The medical malpractice reform bill is co-sponsored by Rep. Christine Chandler (D-Los Alamos) and as originally introduced is backed by New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.

Rep. Christine Chandler, D-Los Alamos, who crafted  House Bill 99 and is sponsoring  it along with  two dozen other lawmakers, called the  amendment  to the bill “short-sighted.”  Chandler  pointed out most of New Mexico’s hospitals, including those run by Presbyterian Health Services,  would not be covered by the proposed punitive damages cap. According to the New Mexico Hospital Association, the only hospitals covered by the cap would be hospitals in Taos, Grants, Gallup, Farmington and Las Cruces. Chandler told the Albuquerque Journal this  after the  hearing:

“I don’t think it strikes the right balance in the legislation we need. ”

 Supporters of House Bill 99 argue that the bill is a key step in fixing the state’s health care worker shortage. Republicans and Democrats worked on the original  bill  in a unified effort. The unified effort was destroyed when Representative  Liz Thomson (D-Albuquerque), who proposed the amendment, said she believed it was important not to cap punitive damages for hospitals owned by out-of-state corporations or private equity firms. Thomson said this:

“We want to tell these huge national corporations that they cannot cut corners on medical care and leave people damaged.”

Feliz Rael, President of the New Mexico Trial Lawyers Association,  an organization that historically and consistently has opposed medical malpractice reform, said this:

“While the bill isn’t perfect, we are very pleased to see protection for patients that are harmed by multi-billion-dollar corporations.”

 State Rep. Alan Martinez, R-Bernalillo, warned that the last-minute amendment was simply unfair because Republicans and Democrats had agreed to the original bill text and it was “gutted” by the amendment.

House Minority Whip Alan Martinez, R-Bernalillo, who voted against the committee amended bill, said this:

“It’s very hard for me to support the amended bill, because I think we gutted a good bill with that. … We were going to fix medical malpractice. Now we’re carving out certain people. … You have taken a good, negotiated bill and poisoned it with this amendment.”

Committee Democrats who voted to support the bill after the  “unfriendly amendment” said they believed it would empower plaintiffs. Rep. Joanne Ferrary (D-Las Cruces) said the amendment would give “the right back to the jury to hold multi-billion dollar corporations accountable.”

Representative Chandler  told reporters she believes the majority of physicians in the state work at the corporately owned hospitals that the amendment would impact. Although the amendment still extends protections to those practitioners, Chandler said she believes the lack of a cap for their employers could still affect whether doctors want to work there.

HB 99  approved as amended by the committee did make several other changes in addition to the punitive damages cap. That includes clarifying how many medical malpractice claims can be filed for a single medical injury and extending hospitals’ participation in a patient compensation fund through 2029.

House Bill 99 as amended will now be heard by the House Judiciary Committee which bill sponsor Rep. Christine Chandler chairs. The bill must pass the full House and Senate before the session ends Feb. 19.

The links to relied upon or quoted news sources are here:

https://www.abqjournal.com/news/house-panel-advances-111-billion-budget-bill-that-includes-co-pays-for-universal-child-care-plan/2973156

https://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/legislature/lawmakers-promise-more-big-wins-for-new-mexico-as-governor-signs-years-first-bills/article_960040ba-4868-4e21-891f-3d9930aa29c0.html

https://sourcenm.com/2026/02/04/nm-legislature-day-16-recap-last-minute-bills-and-long-running-debate-over-11b-budget/

https://www.kanw.org/new-mexico-news/2026-02-05/nm-legislature-day-16-recap-last-minute-bills-and-long-running-debate-over-11b-budget

Senate Bill 17: (“STOP ILLEGAL GUN TRADE AND EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WEAPONS ACT”)

On February 7, after six hours of heated debate, and a few failed amendments, the New Mexico Senate passed on a 24-17 vote Senate Bill 17 (SB 17) known as the “Stop Illegal Gun Trade and Extremely Dangerous Weapons Act. ” The bill is sponsored by several Democratic lawmakers, including Sens. Debbie O’Malley and Heather Berghmans, both of Albuquerque. Senators Joseph Cervantes of Las Cruces, Benny Shendo Jr. of Jemez Pueblo and Angel Charley of Acoma Pueblo were the lone “NO” votes among Democratic lawmakers.

It was on February 4 that the Senate Judiciary Committee voted to advance SB 17.  Democrat Committee Chair Sen. Joseph Cervantes (D-Las Cruces), a prominent trial attorney, voted to advance the bill to the full Senate for a vote.  Cervantes said this after his committee vote:

“I think that the provisions of the bill that relate to dealer regulations are very appropriate, and I could support those …  [But] I think this is unconstitutional.”

SB 17 aims to stop firearms from getting into the wrong hands and ban the sale of certain types of weapons. SB 17 would require licensed gun dealers to keep inventory records and implement security measures, similar to those placed on state-authorized recreational cannabis dispensaries. The bill also would ban the sale or possession of certain “military-grade weapons,” including machine guns and gas-operated semiautomatic firearms.

SB 17 would more closely regulate gun dealers across the state.  SB 17 particularly targets straw purchases which is where someone buys a gun from a reputable retailer and then sells it under the table to someone who is not legally allowed to own a firearm. It would require gun stores to maintain thorough records of each sale, only employ people 21 or older and put employees through an annual training program.

The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives trains gun store owners on red flags for straw purchases, such as someone buying guns in bulk, or a single person breaking away from a group in a gun store to purchase the weapon. SB17 would extend that training beyond store owners to employees who are on the sales floor. It would also ban the sale of certain weapons.

Two amendments, from Republican respectively, sought to strike a section that banned specific types of weapons and, separately, add a clause that would allow a person under 21 to work at a gun store if they took a hunter safety course or were a veteran. Both amendments failed.

As lawmakers debated in the Senate Chamber, more than 100 people, some with rifles slung across their chests, took part in a Second Amendment rally outside the Roundhouse in Santa Fe. In the Capitol Rotunda, dozens bill supporters gathered to listen to stories from those who lost loved ones to gun violence and advocates with Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action.

Angela Ferrell-Zabala, executive director of Moms Demand Action, said this in a statement after the vote:

“[The Senate] took an important step to stop illegal guns from flooding our communities. … SB 17 is about holding gun traffickers and bad actors accountable so fewer guns — including dangerous military-grade weapons — end up in the hands of kids and in our neighborhoods. … Moms, students, and families showed up at the Roundhouse today because we’re tired of inaction, and today, lawmakers listened.”

In a statement after the bill’s passage, Senate Minority Leader William Sharer, R-Farmington, said this:

“Today, Democrats in Santa Fe decided that the rights of New Mexicans to protect themselves and their families should be eliminated. …  Listen to the words they say, they have repeatedly admitted this bill is unconstitutional, yet they are forcing it upon law-abiding citizens.  New Mexicans deserve to be represented by elected officials who take their oaths of office seriously, not by activists who hate our Constitution and who promote fringe radical policies designed to undermine the very foundation of our Nation.”

In a statement, Governor Lujan Grisham applauded the passage of the bill and said this:

“I’m grateful for the Senate’s vote today and I encourage the House to follow suit at the earliest opportunity.  … [This legislation] holds gun dealers to the same basic standards expected of any responsible business — securing inventory, training employees, and preventing illegal sales.”

The firearm death rate in New Mexico has historically had higher than average violent crime rates. New Mexico’s violent crime rate was the nation’s fourth highest as of 2023, according to Johns Hopkins’ Bloomberg School of Public Health. Of the 530 gun-related deaths in the state that year, there were slightly more suicides than homicides. Firearm-related deaths also represented the largest cause of death for state children between the ages of 1 and 17.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, who has supported several gun laws passed by the Legislature in her tenure, urged for the passage of Senate Bill 17 during her State of the State address. Since first taking office in 2019, lawmakers have passed bills expanding mandatory background check requirements for gun purchases and allowing guns to be seized from those deemed to pose a threat to themselves or others.  At least one piece of past legislation, a 2024 law implementing a seven-day waiting period for gun purchases, is in limbo after a Denver-based federal appeals court ruled the law unconstitutional.

Senate Bill 17 will now be referred to the New Mexico House for committee hearings and potentially a full vote by the House of Representatives.

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

https://www.abqjournal.com/news/senate-passes-gun-bill-after-lengthy-debate/2976590

https://www.kob.com/politics-news/new-mexico-politics/senate-lawmakers-pass-bill-to-increase-regulations-for-gun-dealers/

https://sourcenm.com/2026/02/05/nm-senate-committee-advances-anti-gun-trafficking-bill/

COMMENTARY AND ANALYIS

During the February 5 bill signing ceremony, Governor Lujan Grisham said this:

“Getting legislation passed is hard.  Even with an interim and years of work, it’s hard. … I am really proud of the Legislature. They don’t need that, but I think the public needs to know that they are getting incredible things done.”

There is no doubt that the two most defining issues of the 2026 New Mexico legislative session are medical malpractice reform and free universal childcare to New Mexico families, regardless of income.  If enacted, both measures will be the final defining and enduring legacy of Governor Michell Lujan Grisham.

If one or both fail to get enacted by the legislature, you can expect Governor Lujan Grisham will likely call a special session to get passage before her term ends on January 1, 2027, when the new Governor is sworn in. Such is the fate of a Lame Duck Governor who cannot influence enough votes from her own party to get legislation she wants passed.

On Sunday, February 8, the Albuquerque Journal published the below article on the death of former Bernalillo County DA Jeff Romero.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Jeff Romero  was a very close personal family friend. I was deeply honored to have worked for him as his Chief Deputy District Attorney and helped him manage the largest District Attorney’s Office in the state employing upwards of 110 trial attorneys, paralegals, secretaries and support staff. Jeff’s dad Efrain (Frank) and my dad Paul were both barbers and actually worked as barbers together many decades ago at the Hoffmantown Barbershop in Hoffmantown Shopping Center on Menaul. Jeff was a true gentleman and an exceptional trial attorney. I already miss him deeply. My thoughts and prayers go out to him and his lovely wife Evangelina and all of his family during this difficult time.

ABQ Journal Headline: “Epitome of a public servant”: Former Bernalillo County DA Jeff Romero dies

BY GREGORY R.C. HASMAN, JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

JEFF ROMERO / 1945-2026

Albuquerque native was a lawyer for over 50 years.

Former 2nd Judicial District Attorney Jeff Romero is remembered for “bringing hardened criminals to justice” and successfully advocating for the construction of the Bernalillo County DA’s modern office building.

Romero died Jan. 28 of complications from Parkinson’s disease. He was 80.

“He was the epitome of a public servant,” said Pete Dinelli, Romero’s longtime friend and former chief deputy district attorney. “He was very concerned about prosecutions and bringing hardened criminals to justice.”

During his 50-plus-year career in law, Romero convinced county commissioners to fund the current Bernalillo County district attorney’s building and alleviated caseloads for attorneys. He also prosecuted high-profile cases such as the Hollywood Video murders and cracked down on businesses considered to be public nuisances.

“He understood the law, the rule of law and making sure the law was enforced and protecting the citizens of Bernalillo County,” said current 2nd Judicial District Attorney Sam Bregman, who worked for Romero.

Romero was born on Dec. 5, 1945, in Albuquerque.

As a Highland High School student, Romero’s friend Baker Morrow said, “Jeff was always fair-minded” and he thought Romero would grow up to be a “very good lawyer.”

“He had a very keen intellect and was interested in fairness and seeing if he could help people with their problems,” Morrow said.

After high school, Romero attended Michigan State University and the University of New Mexico School of Law. He would become a prosecutor, Bernalillo County assistant district attorney and statewide special prosecutor for the Attorney General’s Office before being elected district attorney in 1996.

Bregman described his former boss as a “good leader.”

“I think he was right for the times,” he said. “I mean, we had to innovate a little bit in the office … and he was very much on the forefront of a lot of things.”

Among the things Romero did was successfully lobby to get a new district attorney’s office building and implement a new system “to get a handle on the caseloads at the time,” Dinelli said.

“Some of the cases the office handled were some of the most difficult the city has ever seen,” he said.

One of those cases was the 1996 Hollywood Video murders in which five people — including three store employees — were shot and killed.

“(After Shane Harrison’s trial was moved to Las Cruces,) we made sure that our prosecutors got all the necessary resources to have a successful prosecution,” Dinelli said.

During his tenure, Romero reinstated the repeat-offender division that he headed as assistant district attorney.

“We need to draw the line when we talk about repeat offenders,” the then-DA-elect said in a Dec. 28, 1996, Albuquerque Tribune story. “When you talk to cops (on) the street, they keep saying, ‘We see the same people over and over again.’ We need to put a stop to that.”

Romero’s office also cracked down on businesses considered public nuisances like Five Points Hall, a once-popular South Valley dance hall that was notorious for its late-night parking lot drag races, public drunkenness and brawls, according to an April 16, 2000, article in the Journal.

No one has a “right to engage in a business that is a public nuisance that disturbs the peace, tranquility or economic health of a neighborhood,” Romero said in a Sept. 11, 1997, Journal article.

During his career, Romero received multiple honors, including being named president of the New Mexico District Attorney’s Association.

After leaving the DA’s office, Romero returned to private practice and continued working until 2024.

“He was a gentleman and he was truly an individual that cared about his community,” Dinelli said.

Romero is survived by his wife, Evangelina Trujillo Romero; sons David Romero and Michael Romero; daughter Rebecca Jarvis; stepson Edmund Trujillo; and stepdaughters Donna Levi, Ursula Richards and Charlene Grasty.

Gregory R.C. Hasman is a general assignment reporter and the Road Warrior. He can be reached at ghasman@abqjournal.com or 505-823-3820.

 The link to the Albuquerque Journal article with photos can be found here:

https://www.abqjournal.com/news/epitome-of-a-public-servant-former-bernalillo-county-da-jeff-romero-dies/2973272

The Integrated Development Ordinance (IDO) is essentially all of the city zoning laws on how properties are zoned for residential, commercial or industrial use. The Integrated Development Ordinance includes zoning and subdivision regulations to govern land use and all development within the City of Albuquerque. It establishes the City’s system of planning citywide. The IDO allows the Albuquerque City Council to amend it every two years. This amendment process has resulted in upwards of 140 amendments the last two years resulting in mass confusion to the public.

CITY COUNCIL LAND USE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMITEE

The Land Use Planning, and Zoning Committee consists of 5 City Councilors appointed by the City Council President. The LUPZ Committee reviews all ordinances, resolutions, or other matters pertaining to the city’s zoning code known as the Integrated Development Ordinance (IDO), land use appeals, historical designation process, annexations, sector development plans, and general land use, planning and redevelopment policies and zoning restrictions.

https://www.cabq.gov/council/committees

In January, the Land Use Planning, and Zoning Committee (LUPZ) met twice, on January 14 and then on January 18 to debate and discuss 140 amendments to the Integrated Development Ordinance. The committee’s make up changed as a consequence of the 2025 municipal elections and the election of a new City Council President.

For the January 14 meeting, the former LUPZ committee appointed by City Council President Brook Bassan was:

• Tammy Feibelkorn, Chair
• Nichole Rogers
• Dan Champine
• Renée Grout
• Brook Bassan

For the January 18, the new LUPZ Committee appointed by City Council President Klarrisa Pena was:

• Brook Bassan, Chair
• Dan Champine
• Renée Grout
• Nichole Rogers
• Stephanie W. Telles

STEVE HOLMAN REPORT ON JANUARY 18 LUPZ COMMITTEE HEARING

EDITORS NOTE: The below report on the January 18 meeting of the LUPZ committee was written District 7 City Council resident Steve Holman who attended the meeting. He was not compensated for his report. 

 On Wednesday evening the Land Use Planning and Zoning (LUPZ) committee had their second hearing on proposed Upzoning in the city’s Integrated Development Ordinance.

Councilors Brook Bassan, Dan  Champine, and Renee Grout supported amendments to remove permissive use of townhomes and duplexes in R1 zoning, as well as removing retail elements (Bodegas). They also supported amendments removing zoning changes along transit corridors and activity centers that could have increased taxes on thousands of residents. This is already on top of a major amendment proposed by Councilor Nichole  Rogers in the first LUPZ meeting removing forced rezonings  on nearly all single family properties, with that item being passed in the first hearing.

District 7 City  Councilor Fiebelkorn who was sitting in for City Councilor  Stephanie Telles in the committee hearing and District 6 City Councilor Nichole Rogers both chose to openly question every amendment added and voted in opposition to every single item proposed during the hearing, offering no alternative options or compromise. Councilor Fiebelkorn herself declared that she would not stop advocating for this type of legislation, essentially doubling down on her stance instead of showing a willingness to cooperate or collaborate with others for solutions.

There was a large presence at the hearing of approximately 80 people signed up to speak.  Many were associated with the National Organization Strongtowns, with some speakers  openly berating the committee in their disappointment at the changes passed during the hearing. Strongtowns local chapter founder Brandi Thompson became upset in apparent disbelief in the changes to the IDO that were passed, citing their physical presence in opposition at hearings and distorting information about pre-made forms they used to generate comments on the Environmental Planning Commission section in the IDO process.  She even went as far as to say about the opposition that the city council is getting “yelled at by a small local minority in the community.”

At the end of the public comments for the hearing, councilors Fiebelkorn and Rogers again expressed their disappointment and opposition to the way the votes went.   Then councilor Grout decided to clear the air.  She thanked the people who showed up and spoke during the evening but  advised everyone that the city councilors have received “hundreds of emails and calls” in opposition to the Up-zoning changes to the IDO and that their duty is to listen to their constituents.

The IDO amendments with their changes to remove the majority of Up-zoning were then voted on by the committee to go to full council for a vote.  This passed the committee on a 3-2 vote, with City Councilors Fiebelkorn and Rogers in opposition.

Prior to the LUPZ hearing, a petition of  892 petition signatures from residents in opposition to Up-zoning [was presented to the city council.]  The City Council was also sent an alternative path forward urging the implementation of Community-Based Planning principles. Community-based planning directly addresses housing inventory, affordability, as well as measures to prevent gentrification.

STEVE HOLMAN ANLAYSIS

We have to ask why if the city has over 125,000 pre-platted lots for residential construction, they can’t sell at least 50% to stimulate growth?  We have 192 vacant buildings with 1.8 million + sq ft along 7 corridors in the city, so why can’t that be utilized for housing?  Why don’t we require that 50% of new housing construction be mixed types (townhomes, duplexes, and apartments)?  Why don’t we require permanent affordable housing of any type?  Why aren’t we trying to prevent corporate ownership of homes and their price speculation?

The housing issue can be addressed through community input and planning and doesn’t require broad discretionary zoning changes.  The only ones who benefit from Upzoning are developers because the majority of everyday residents can’t afford to convert residential properties.

In light of this I asked the council to leave the IDO as it was prior to these updates in 2025 and use these 7 principles to address growth in our city;

• Community Empowerment
• Pro-Active Anti-Displacement Measures
• Diverse and Affordable Housing
• Equitable Amenity Distribution
• Community Wealth Building
• Targeted Investments
• Zoning with Equity and Protection

During the public comments section of the hearing, I spoke directly to these as a way to address our unique needs.  I also spoke about how the lesson to learn from the events of the hearing is that we need the city and residents to be collaborative again, instead of the city taking a dictatorial stance against communities due to rigid ideology.  I asked us to move forward together and collaborate on a better future for Albuquerque.  I meant those words and I was extending them as an olive branch to members of Strongtowns and councilors Fiebelkorn and Rogers because we want many of the same things, its just the methods to get there are opposites.

After the LUPZ hearing, the amended IDO that removes much of the dangers of Up-zoning will be submitted to the full city council for a vote.  It is very likely that all the changes from the previous hearings could be removed or reverted with proposed amendments during full council hearings.  So we still need to be strong and continue to contact our city councilors and tell them we don’t want Upzoning in the IDO.

Your outreach as citizens is what has pushed the needle in a different direction for this legislation and your voices need to continue to put pressure on our city officials to follow the will of the public.

Political allies to Up-zoning are taking this to the current state legislative session in an attempt to enact similar policies state-wide.  The next step is that we need to come together and place pressure there as well.  Please  write your state representatives and tell them you don’t support Up-zoning legislation.

COMMENTARY AND ANALYS

With the re-election of Mayor Tim Keller and a new Albuquerque City Council, a major controversy has emerged within the city and on the Albuquerque City Council involving Mayor Tim Keller, his Planning Department and a few members of the Albuquerque City Council who want to enact another wave of blanket amendments to the Integrated Development Ordinance. Mayor Tim Keller and the City Planning Department want to double or triple housing density in established neighborhoods as a way to address what they claim is the City’s affordable housing shortage.

According to a recent study by Root Policy Research, Albuquerque is 13,000 to 28,000 housing units short of meeting the demand for housing for low-income residents. When supply doesn’t meet demand, rents go up for residents. Mayor Keller, the Planning Department and supporters of the changes say the changes would improve quality of life and address Albuquerque’s housing shortage, which is worst for low-income renters. The emphasis is increasing affordable housing at the expense of established neighborhoods with expectation that established neighborhoods and residential property owners will simply go along and increase density on their properties and pay for it themselves.

The proposed amendments to the Integrated Development Ordinance are supposed to address the city’s so called “housing crisis” and to increase affordable housing. 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 to gain support for their positions and government funding for development projects. When the term “affordable housing” is used by the politicians, elected officials and developer’s, what they actually mean is “subsidized government housing” also known as Section 8 Federal Subsidized Housing.

EXISTING HOMEOWNERS CANNOT AFFORD UPZONING CONSTRUCTION COST

Mayor Tim Keller, his Planning Department and all the City Councilors  who support up-zoning want to double or triple housing density in established neighborhoods over strenuous objections from property owners and neighborhood associations. They want “up-zoning  development”  by existing residential property owners to increase density and allow casita, duplex development and townhome development in virtually every established neighborhood in the city. Ostensibly, they believe existing property owners can afford to build on their own properties whether they own the home outright or if there is a mortgage.

Residential  zoning covers 27% of the city’s land and 68% of its 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 homes. It allows only single-family homes, which city officials say has contributed to exclusionary patterns and limits housing options for lower-income households. The new rezoning process proposed is designed to loosen those restrictions and allow to double or triple housing development in established neighborhoods ignoring what the neighborhoods want.

Construction costs are consistent when it comes to building an entire house or adding a free-standing casita or converting a residence to a duplex or town home. There is no real differentiation between the basic construction costs to construct “affordable housing” and other types of housing.

According to the Homebuilders Digest construction costs cover everything from materials to the actual construction.  In Albuquerque there are four basic categories of construction:

1. A value-based custom home would start around $175 per square foot. This is a home that would have builder-grade finishes, such as ceramic tile, laminate flooring, basic cabinets, level one granite or quartz, aluminum or builder-grade vinyl windows, value series appliances, and basic plumbing and electrical fixtures.
2. A mid-range home would start at around $225 per square foot. Mid-range finishes would include porcelain tile, engineered wood, mid-level cabinets with soft close, level two or three granite or quartz, and a moderate budget for plumbing and electrical fixtures. It would also have premium vinyl or fiberglass windows and higher-end appliances.
3. Ahigh-end custom home would start at around $275 per square foot. This home would have all high-end custom finishes, fiberglass or wood windows, and professional appliances.
4. A home with energy efficiency features would range between $200 to $400per square foot depending on selections for mechanical systems, windows, plumbing and lighting fixtures, cabinets, appliances, flooring, and more.

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

https://www.homebuilderdigest.com/cost-guides/how-much-does-it-cost-to-build-a-house-in-albuquerque/

The minimum hard construction cost to build a 750 square foot free standing casita or convert an existing residence to a duplex by adding on 750 square feet of living space at the value base cost of $175 or the mid-range cost of $225 would between $131,250 (750 square ft. X $175) or $168,750 (750 X $225). The homeowner who does not have the cash savings to pay the construction costs, a second or third mortgage on the residence would be required.

The overwhelming majority of existing homeowners cannot afford the construction costs of a free-standing casita or the conversion of their homes to a duplex or townhome. Simply put, only developers and investors who speculate will be able to double or triple density by buying up existing homes for purposes of building casitas or converting residences to a duplex or townhome.  After that is done, the profit motive will be to sell or rent at the highest level and not for affordable housing.

ZONING CHANGES WILL DESTROY NEIGHBORHOODS

Mayor Tim Keller, the  City Planning  and City Councilors who want to allow apartment development or retail business development (i.e small convenience stores or “bodegas”) on all corner residential lots in all established neighborhoods to benefit developers and to deprive adjacent property owners the right to object and appeal. Such development will no doubt result in magnets for crime and heavy traffic patterns destroying the tranquility, livability and character of established neighborhoods.

Keller and the Planning Department erroneously believe that increased density will increase affordable housing as they simply ignore the market forces and the profit motive. They argue in essence that “flooding the market” with more housing than what is needed will result in lower cost of housing and make available more housing for sale and rent. It’s a false and very misleading narrative.

The one thing Albuquerque does have is open space that can be developed. There is no need to increase density in established neighborhoods that will destroy a neighborhood’s character. Sources within the Planning Department have confirmed the city has already “pre-platted” residential development of 125,000 to 150,000 residential lots. If  Mayor Keller and City Planning want to allow “up-zoning” they should do so only on undeveloped, vacant land and vacant commercial properties and leave existing neighborhoods alone without forcing them to sue.

EXISTING RESIDENTAIL PROPERTY OWNERS CAN EXPECT PROPERTTY TAX INCREASES LEADING TO GENTRIFICATION

The Bernalillo County property tax code is clear. The taxable value of a property is 33 1/3% of the assessed value as determined by the Bernalillo County Assessor. Under the property tax code, residential property assessments may NOT rise more than 3% per year unless the property changes ownership, is improved or is REZONED. (Emphasis added.)

What should be alarming to all existing residential property owners is that the Planning Department has failed to take into account how the up-zoning zoning changes they are proposing will likely change Bernalillo County’s property value assessments and tax assessments.

Rezoning all residential property will affect the property tax cap of 3% and allow for increases in property taxes. Simply put, increasing density increases real property values for tax assessment. Government entities never resist the temptation to increase property taxes and property taxes historically never, ever come down.

The  “Up-Zoning” agenda of the Planning Department and Mayor Tim Keller will make gentrification an official city policy because real property taxes will soar and lower income property owners will not be able to afford the increase in property taxes and be forced to sell their properties to speculators and developers resulting in displacement and gentrification.

One thing is clear, there is absolutely no language in the existing Integrated Development Ordinance amendments that specifically require affordable housing. There is no language in the proposed amendments that address private equity and developer price speculation.

NOTICE OF HEARING

On Wednesday, February 18, the nine-member Albuquerque City Council will be meeting.  On the agenda will be the amendments to the Integrated Development Ordinance. The meeting will be held in the  City Council Chambers in basement of city hall commencing at 5:00 p.m. You can sign up to speak at the meeting by going to the City Council web page or simply go to the meeting.

Please contact your city councilor and urge them vote NO on up-zoning of your property that will increase your property taxes.  The emails to contact all 9 City Councilors followed by their Policy Analyst to voice your opinions are:

• stelles@cabq.gov
• stephenchavez@cabq.gov
• joaquinbaca@cabq.gov
• bacajoaquin9@gmail.com
• namolina@cabq.gov
• kpena@cabq.gov
• cquezada@cabq.gov
• bbassan@cabq.gov
• dawnmarie@cabq.gov
• danlewis@cabq.gov
• galvarez@cabq.gov
• nrogers@cabq.gov
• district6@cabq.gov
• tfiebelkorn@cabq.gov
• seanforan@cabq.gov
• dchampine@cabq.gov
• eromero@cabq.gov
• rgrout@cabq.gov
• rrmiller@cabq.gov

Below is the link to the petition against the proposed amendments:

https://www.change.org/p/stop-the-exclusionary-upzoning-of-mayor-keller-and-councilor-fiebelkorn

On February 3, with no debate, the New Mexico House of Representatives voted unanimously to pass Senate Bill 1, the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact Act.  SB 1 expands access to healthcare by allowing licensed, qualified providers in other states to serve New Mexicans through the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact.  The bill  will go a long way in addressing the state’s health care worker shortage.

The 64-0 vote comes after the New Mexico Senate approved the bill also with no opposition. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham  has 72 hours to sign the bill to make it law.  Once signed by the Governor, New Mexico would become the 38th state in the compact.

The House has passed seven additional compacts that would give patients access to out-of-state physical and occupational therapists, dentists, and social workers. Those bills are in the New Mexico Senate. State Representative Liz Thomson said the law will  increase access to telehealth options so people don’t have to travel far for appointments that can be held remotely.

Supporters, including co-sponsor Sen. Linda Trujillo (D-Santa Fe), have also been quick to acknowledge that SB1 isn’t a cure-all. She has  previously said  that she believes other measures, including loan forgiveness for health care workers and affordable housing, are sorely needed to attract and retain physicians.

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle share that sentiment. In one of the only comments lawmakers issued from the floor of the House Tuesday, Rep. Gail Armstrong (R-Magdalena) said that entering the compact will make it exceedingly easy for New Mexico doctors to leave the state unless lawmakers also enact meaningful medical malpractice reform.

Representative Armstrong, who was a co-sponsor of SB 1,  said this after she voted yes to pass the bill:

“This is not a silver bullet. … We are with the signage of this, and if the governor signs it, we are giving them a full tank of gas to be able to go to other states, as well. Without medical malpractice reform, we will not fix this, and I am a little disappointed this has come before the other.” 

A medical malpractice proposal cleared its first hurdle in the Legislature when the House Health and Human Services Committee voted to advance it, but not before Republicans objected to an “unfriendly amendment” that would not cap punitive damages for corporate-owned hospitals. Physicians who practice in those hospitals would still be covered, though.

Patient safety advocates argue that giving hospitals more protection under the state’s medical malpractice laws will  undermine other necessary changes, such as improved hospital staffing levels.

Fred Nathan, the  founder and executive director of Think New Mexico, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for New Mexicans, expressed strong support for Senate Bill 1. Nathan said this:

 “We have a serious doctor shortage in New Mexico. We’re the only state that’s lost doctors for the last five years, and Senate Bill One is an easy and smart way to begin to address that doctor shortage. … But with the compact, they’re accepted as if they’re New Mexico doctors.”

Nathan said  the bill will help alleviate the state’s doctor shortage by automatically licensing out-of-state doctors when they come to New Mexico. It also benefits patients who have specialists in other states, as currently, out-of-state doctors cannot provide advice over the phone without a New Mexico license

Kathy Love, who represents patients suffering due to malpractice, also supported Senate Bill One, provided that all doctors are held to the same standards as those licensed in New Mexico. Love said this:

 “As long as there are guardrails to make sure that if we’re bringing in doctors from out of state, we’re bringing in good doctors and not doctors who are running from problems in other states.”

Currently, 42 other states, along with D.C. and Guam, are part of the compact. Kathy Love, who represents patients suffering due to malpractice, also supports Senate Bill One, provided that all doctors are held to the same standards as those licensed in New Mexico.

Links to quoted or relied upon news sources are here:

https://www.koat.com/article/new-mexico-bill-aims-to-tackle-doctor-shortage-with-medical-compact/70239021

https://www.krqe.com/news/politics-government/legislature/bill-making-it-easier-for-medical-workers-to-work-in-new-mexico-heads-to-the-governors-desk/

https://www.kob.com/new-mexico/roundhouse-rundown-interstate-medical-compact-immigrant-safety-act-greenhouse-gas-reduction/

https://sourcenm.com/2026/02/03/nm-house-unanimously-approves-interstate-medical-compact-bill/?fbclid=IwY2xjawPvl3xleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeDBwZX8Nd8V8LNL61WKj0tzi0oUbGaQagy2zX-vRQU-SBXz05HpT6dJYKwc4_aem_Q28OU-UBqxzS2ly8O3dkHg

COMMENTARY AND ANALYSIS

The fact that the  New Mexico House of Representatives and the New Mexico State Senate both unanimously and with little to no debate enacted  the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact Act is testament to the seriousness of the shortage of licensed medical professionals in New Mexico. With any luck, the New Mexico legislature will also enact meaningful medical malpractice legislation which is still pending.

2026 NM Legislative Update: Bipartisan Medical Malpractice Reform Bill “Gutted” In Committee; Advances To Second Committee For Further Consideration; Governor MLG Threatens Special Session If No Legislation Past