Just days away from another 60-day session of the Legislature, New Mexico’s wins and losses will once again be defined by a overwhelming progressive majority in both chambers.
This lopsided political dominance has created a paralyzing sense of entitlement among progressive lawmakers. Without a healthy fear of losing their iron grip on the legislature, these lawmakers have free rein to pass laws that make New Mexico less prosperous and more dangerous. The consequences speak for themselves as New Mexico remains last in every critical category.
The status quo is clearly not working. House Republicans believe new leadership and fresh ideas are the only way to finally address our state’s most pressing issues. After watching progressive Democrats control the Legislature for decades, along with six years of a progressive governor, we look forward to presenting voters with a clear choice between the failed policies of the past or a new vision for our state.
House Republicans have built an aggressive agenda for the upcoming session to ensure a safe and prosperous future for every New Mexican. Our plan for New Mexicans is to create an environment that grows incomes, creates jobs, provides more healthcare options, and more.
The centerpiece of our plan is eliminating the state’s personal income tax. There is no reason any New Mexican should send a huge portion of their paycheck to Santa Fe when state coffers are full of multi-billion-dollar surpluses. Our state’s budget has more than doubled in the last six years, yet by all measures, very little has improved. Eliminating PIT will return more than $2 billion a year to New Mexico’s families without disrupting our public services or tax credits that many families rely on.
New Mexico’s healthcare system is on life support. Healthcare providers are fleeing to work in other states because our malpractice laws make it unaffordable to practice medicine here. This mass exodus of providers is overstressing those who choose to stay here; it often takes months to get an appointment with a doctor. This session, we will prioritize providers and the patients they serve over trial lawyers by supporting restoration of reasonable malpractice caps.
We will continue to strive to protect our southern border and take action to address the violent crime gangs and cartels that are spreading across our state. We will promote harsher penalties for fentanyl trafficking, require increased prison terms for criminals who commit offenses with firearms, and strengthen laws to hold violent juveniles accountable for their criminal behavior.
Our agenda also includes making CYFD safer for the numerous vulnerable children across the state. We must ensure the CYFD secretary is well-versed in child welfare, all children who are taken from their parents receive a behavioral health assessment, and our community-based placement providers are funded for the work they do.
Affordable housing continues to be a problem. This session, we will focus on solutions that increase the housing supply while combating arbitrary restrictions on landlords. The “solutions” we are hearing from progressives will only exacerbate the housing crisis.
To lower the cost of everyday products for New Mexicans, we must unleash our energy economy, rather than restrict it. House Republicans believe you should never have to choose between groceries and heating your home.
We have been listening to New Mexicans ask for common-sense solutions to the issues we are all experiencing. Yet, we are under no illusion that progressive Democrats will accept our ideas. Our proposals return money and power to the people. Progressive Democrats, however, are stuck in the mindset of expanding government bureaucracy and pandering to special interests. It is time for new leadership and innovative ideas to move New Mexico forward, and we are prepared to act.
Gail Armstrong (R-Catron, Sierra, Socorro, Valencia) represents state house district 49 and serves as Leader of the House Republican Caucus.
Alan Martinez (R-Sandoval) represents state house district 23 and serves as Whip for the House Republican Caucus
Rebecca Dow (R- Dona Ana, Sierra, Socorro) represents state house district 38 and serves as Chairwoman of the House Republican Caucus.
