Alex Ross
El Rito Media
aross@elritomedia.com

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham delivered her eighth and last State of the State address Tuesday in Santa Fe, opening the 30-day legislative session.

The governor, who is term limited at the end of 2026, urged lawmakers to act on an agenda led by child care, healthcare, public safety and infrastructure.

The address marked the start of the 30-day, budget-focused lawmaking session and is likely the final chance for Lujan Grisham, a Democrat, to see multiple longstanding priorities enacted into law. The session ends Feb. 19.

During her hour-long address, Lujan Grisham reflected on her administration’s achievements.

“We’ve taken real action and delivered real results. And we’ve done it by moving together, all at once, on the biggest issues and opportunities facing our state,” she said.

“With one year left, there’s still work to do, and progress to make. Let’s double down and do it all.”

‘Our kids will be better prepared’

Chief among Lujan Grisham’s proposals was an initiative she announced last November to provide no-cost child care to all New Mexico households regardless of income.

“Our investment in child care means our kids will be better prepared when they start school,” she said.

In her address, the governor called for the Legislature to authorize a $160 million recurring funding increase to the Early Childhood Education and Care Department’s budget to pay for the universal child care measure. That amount is significantly larger than the $13.7 million funding boost the Legislative Finance Committee recommended.

The Legislative Finance Committee warned in its budget proposal last December that the program could “create additional demand” for child care assistance without the revenues necessary to implement it.

On education, the governor touted state investments in structured literacy and the construction of a new literacy center but said more needs to be done to improve student outcomes.

“I’m calling for proven best practices in classrooms, a ban on cell phones that distract from learning, accountability that supports progress in our public schools, and an Office of Special Education so families don’t have to fight the system,” Lujan Grisham said.

Improving the state’s health care system was also top-of-mind for the governor, as she discussed her administration’s work to improve access to Medicaid, invest $130 million in the state’s rural health delivery fund and fill gaps created by the expiration of federal tax credits for those who purchase health insurance on the state’s exchange.

The governor stated that in this legislative session she wants to see lawmakers take up bills on interstate medical licensure compacts, medical malpractice reform and eliminating the state’s gross receipts tax on medical services.

The medical compacts as proposed would allow physicians licensed in other states within the compact to practice in New Mexico, intending to cut down on doctor shortages throughout the state. Similar agreements are currently in place for nurses.

“We’ve done as much as possible to protect healthcare coverage; now we need to do more to expand healthcare access,” Lujan Grisham said.

Crime and public safety

Lujan Grisham, who has supported increased law enforcement funding while in office, also called for stiffer penalties to certain crimes, and other public safety reforms.

That could mean a rewrite of the state’s juvenile code to address youth crime, an assault weapons ban and enhanced penalties for felons found in possession of firearms, Lujan Grisham said. She also called for “gun dealer accountability measures” to reduce the risk of firearms falling into the hands of criminals.

State Rep. John Block (R-51) of Alamogordo, an ardent critic of Lujan Grisham, slammed proposals for an assault weapons ban and more regulation on gun dealers, calling them “backdoor gun control.”

Aside from gun regulations, Lujan Grisham also revived her call for the Legislature to make changes to New Mexico’s pretrial detention law, so that suspects charged with a dangerous or violent felony can remain incarcerated pending trial, unless they can prove they are not a danger to the public.

“Any serious approach to public safety starts here: people who are committing dangerous, violent crimes must be held accountable – without hesitation, and without exception,” Lujan Grisham said.

Environment and pollution

The governor also said she wants the Legislature to codify her executive orders curbing air pollution emissions. In 2019, Lujan Grisham issued an executive order directing the state to reduce emissions by 45% by 2030, and to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.

In December, the administration released a 45-point climate action plan to achieve those objectives by reducing emissions generated by industry, making buildings more energy-efficient, decarbonizing the electricity grid and improving management of natural resources to curtail wildfire risks.

Lujan Grisham said such efforts must not come at the expense of affordable energy.

“That’s why I’m calling for a blue-ribbon commission to develop a strategy to leverage and utilize private and public investments, grow our economy and protect consumers and businesses, while meeting exploding energy demands with more clean power,” she said.

House Minority Floor Leader Gail Armstrong (R-49) of Magdalena argued that the governor’s proposal will drive up utility bills and burden industry.

“House Republicans will not support reckless energy mandates that drive up costs, chase jobs out of the state and leave working families paying the price,” Armstrong said in a press release issued after the governor’s address.

Other proposals mentioned in the address included a $1.5 billion bonding bill to upgrade state roads and $110 million for new housing units and to address homelessness.

Legislative reporter Alex Ross can be followed on X @alexrosstweets.

Rebecca Hauschild
For the Artesia Daily Press

Artesia city officials voiced support for Xcel Energy as the utility provider sought an exemption from a state law aimed at reducing carbon emissions from energy production.

Hayley Klein, city administrator, said at the City Council’s Tuesday, Jan. 13, meeting that Xcel was planning to apply for the exemption through the Public Regulation Commission, the state agency that oversees utilities throughout the state.

City councilors took no official action on the matter at their recent meeting, but could vote at a future meeting to send a letter of support for Xcel to the state of New Mexico.

At issue is the Energy Transition Act, a signature piece of legislation pushed by New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and signed into law in 2019. The bill called for New Mexico energy production to be 100% “carbon-free” by 2045.

The bill also called on the state’s administration, namely the New Mexico Environment Department and Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department, to pursue projects such as renewable energy intended to reduce air pollution in the state.

Xcel sought to be exempted from such requirements as the company seeks to increase natural gas production in the Permian Basin region, both in New Mexico and Texas.

The company planned to build a transmission line this year from its power plant in Gaines County, Texas, across the state line into New Mexico, and requested an exemption from the state to allow for associated emissions.

Mayor Jon Henry and city officials said the booming southeast New Mexico oilfields were in need of more power as fossil fuel production, and that a lack of electricity could lead to wells being shut in.

“Right now, a lot of the power in the oilfield is coming from diesel generators,” Klein said.

Election day in March

March 3 will be election day in Artesia. The deadline for candidates to file was Tuesday, Jan. 13.

Early voting will take place Feb. 3-28 at the City Clerk’s Office, 511 W. Texas Ave. Absentee ballots can be requested from the clerk’s office until Feb. 24.

Election day polling places will be the City Clerk’s Office; the Artesia Senior Center at 202 W. Chisum Ave.; and Faith Baptist Church at 401 S. 20th St.

Other business

The council agreed to spend $40,000 to finish the mural on Eagle Draw and to add $500,000 to a housing incentive program that provides up to $10,000 per rooftop to developers.

Another $4 million was budgeted for overall city infrastructure construction, including road repairs, sewer lines and other city services.

Councilors also approved $580,309 in start-up costs for the Artesia Recreation Center.

Infrastructure Director Byron Landfair reported there are 196 days remaining on the 26th Street project. City staff was completing curb and gutter work, he said, with paving expected in mid-February.

Artesia Police Chief Kirk Roberts reported a 20% reduction in violent crime such as robbery, murder, robbery, rape, sexual assaults, child abuse and domestic battery in the last five years. The Artesia Police Department answered 24,376 calls for service in 2025, which is an average of 2,026 calls per month or 67 calls per day, Roberts said.

Also in 2025, Roberts said, the department received 959 requests for records and hired 12 officers from a pool of 108 applicants.

Fire Chief Kevin Hope reported the department experienced a 5.5% increase in total call volume in 2025, compared with the year before.

Staff report

Officials with Ski Apache have confirmed the death of a child involving a ski lift at Ski Apache which occurred Jan. 6.

According to a release from the resort, Ski Apache Ski Patrol responded to provide emergency medical care, but passed away due to the injuries. No other information was given by the release while the incident remains under review.

“Our hearts are with the child’s family during this incredibly difficult time,” said Ski Apache General Manager Ken Marlat in the release. “We extend our deepest condolences and ask that their privacy be respected.”

The release went on to say that Ski Apache is fully cooperating with appropriate authorities, and protocols are being reviewed. No other information was available.