New Mexico Lawmakers Condemn Violence, Pass Key Health Bills

The New Mexico Legislature convened on October 2, 2025, for a special session marked by a bipartisan condemnation of political violence. Lawmakers from both chambers expressed their commitment to civility in political discourse, highlighting the recent tragic events involving political figures.

Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth, a Democrat from Santa Fe, honored the memory of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was slain, while Democrats remembered two Minnesota lawmakers who were fatally shot in June. Wirth praised the unified message delivered by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and Utah Gov. Spencer Cox on the television program 60 Minutes, where they stated that “political violence is not the way to resolve our differences and has to stop.”

In a poignant moment, Wirth recounted receiving a bomb threat at his home the day following Kirk’s death. He emphasized that political violence is an insidious issue in New Mexico, with Senate Minority Leader Bill Sharer referring to it as “a poison on our society.” Sharer asserted that civil discourse is essential for a free society.

House leaders echoed this sentiment, with House Speaker Javier Martínez stating, “We can always disagree without being disagreeable.” Minority Leader Gail Armstrong added her commitment to fostering respectful debate. Additionally, Majority Leader Reena Szczepanski highlighted the seriousness of political violence, noting that she too faced a bomb threat on the same day as Wirth.

Key Legislative Developments: Health and Safety Bills

A crucial focus of the session was on healthcare, particularly the unanimous passage of Senate Bill 1, which aims to support rural hospitals in New Mexico facing potential Medicaid cuts. This bill expands the Rural Health Care Delivery Fund to protect existing services that are at risk of reduction or termination.

Despite its unanimous approval, the bill encountered controversy. Some lawmakers voiced concerns that Gov. Lujan Grisham may veto the legislation if amendments were proposed. Senator Katy Duhigg, a Democrat from Albuquerque, raised alarms about potential misuse of funds, particularly regarding executive bonuses for private equity-owned hospitals.

Duhigg criticized the removal of language that originally prohibited the use of taxpayer dollars for executive compensation, stating, “It would allow money intended for struggling clinics and hospitals to flow straight into the pockets of out-of-state corporations.” She considered introducing an amendment to reinstate this prohibition but ultimately withdrew it, prioritizing the bill’s passage for the sake of rural healthcare providers.

Another significant legislative change came with the passage of a bill allowing metropolitan courts to handle criminal competency evaluations. Previously, these evaluations were limited to state District Courts, leading to a backlog of cases in Albuquerque’s 2nd Judicial District Court. The new law aims to streamline the process and alleviate the burden on District Courts.

Appointments and Protests

In administrative news, Greg Trujillo received unanimous confirmation to join the Western New Mexico University Board of Regents. Trujillo, a Taos resident and former executive director of the Public Employees Retirement Association of New Mexico, fills a crucial role following a period of turmoil at the university. Former President Joseph Shepard resigned under scrutiny for financial mismanagement, and Trujillo’s appointment is seen as a step towards rebuilding the institution.

Outside the legislative session, members of the New Mexico Dream Team, an immigrant youth organization, protested against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). They set up a makeshift cage to symbolize the plight of detainees and shared testimonials highlighting the impact of immigration enforcement on families.

Governor Lujan Grisham had initially proposed a legislative package to address immigration detention facilities but reduced the agenda after discussions with legislative leaders. She is expected to revisit the issue in the regular 30-day session next year.

As the special session unfolded, lawmakers grappled with significant issues that resonate deeply within their communities, emphasizing the need for a respectful and civil political environment. The events of the day underscored the importance of collaboration and understanding in addressing the challenges facing New Mexico.