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Democrats,
DPNM is proud of all the hard work of the Democrats in the New Mexico House and Senate and Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. In the 2025 60-day Legislative Session, Democratic bills made huge leaps in many of the areas that move New Mexico forward and reflect our core party values.
With the largest women-majority [[link removed]] state legislature in the history of our country , here are some of the key Democratic highlights from the legislative session:
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Keeping life affordable and strengthening the economy
While Elon Musk and Trump are decimating the job market, tanking the stock market, and implementing petty tariffs on our allies, Democrats at the state level focused on helping every New Mexican not just get by, but improve their quality of life this session.
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Legislators increased property tax exemptions for veterans yet again this session. The HB 14 Tax Package cuts taxes for over 300,000 New Mexicans and would eliminate state income-tax liability entirely for thousands of working families. HB 6 would make sure that workers on publicly-funded projects are paid a fair, prevailing wage for their work. Legislators also passed a bill to cover the costs of tests and test prep for New Mexicans trying to get their GED.
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Making our communities across New Mexico safer:
Democrats passed a strong slate of legislation that improves public safety in the short and the long term. This includes the robust House Bill 8 Public Safety Package that greatly enhances the way the criminal justice system handles those suffering from serious mental or behavioral health issues by creating more pathways for them to receive appropriate levels of treatment. HB 8 also enhances penalties for trafficking large amounts of fentanyl, school-shooting threats, and repeated car theft. It also bans devices that can turn a semi-automatic firearm into an automatic one.
Senate Bills 1 and 3 work together by creating a landmark fund for behavioral healthcare and giving providers and communities the tools to determine how to most effectively use them. HB 2, the state budget, also makes investments across the board for behavioral health, victims of crime, and local law enforcement departments to effectively enforce the laws on the books.
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In addition to taking steps to repair the behavioral health system, which was completely dismantled by Republican Susana Martinez, Democrats also improved our state’s “Red Flag Law” with HB 12, to better protect those who may be at risk of harming themselves or others with a firearm.
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Being proactive to improve child well-being and education
Democrats took on the task of repairing CYFD and improving its ability to look out for young New Mexicans. HB 5 creates the Office of the Child Advocate to provide independent oversight of CYFD and give the children in its care an outside support system they can trust to always have their best interests.
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Legislators also passed SB 42, an omnibus CYFD reform bill that increases accountability and support for substance-exposed newborns .
Bills were also passed raising teachers’ salaries by $5000 and significantly increasing funding for schools, a program was developed to provide support to grandparents or relatives raising a family member’s child , and legislators passed a bill to help expand childcare facilities around New Mexico in the areas of greatest need.
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Making housing more accessible:
HB2, the state budget, directs $110 million to targeted housing development, including transitional housing, focusing on Bernalillo and Doña Ana counties. Democrats also passed legislation to prevent housing discrimination .
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Protecting the environment and confronting climate change
Democrats took significant steps to protect the environment and continue advancing toward the clean energy economy of New Mexico’s future. SB 23 raises the royalty rate on oil and gas companies to be in line with other states, which will significantly increase revenue for New Mexico and ensure that extraction industries pay their fair share. HB 361 converts depleted oil and gas wells for geothermal energy development.
After the federal government has failed to live up to its promises to clean up abandoned uranium mines , legislators approved historic funding for state agencies to clean up these and other toxic sites. Large investments were also made for fire and flood recovery for impacted communities, and for wildfire fighting efforts.
Senate Bill 5 reforms the Department of Game and Fish to oversee and protect more wildlife across New Mexico. HB 137 creates the Strategic Water Supply program, which aims to conserve New Mexico's freshwater by promoting the treatment and use of brackish (naturally salty) water. Legislators also passed legislation to reduce the amount of PFAS or “forever chemicals” in consumer goods and industrial use.
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Standing up for our Democratic values
Democratic legislators approved Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s $10 million capital outlay funding request for a reproductive health clinic in Northern New Mexico . This clinic will provide comprehensive reproductive health services including abortions, contraceptive services, miscarriage management, and more.
Democrats also welcomed 6 new Senators and 7 new Representatives in the House, including Rep. Martha Garcia who stepped up to represent House District 6 midway through the session.
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Although a fair and equitable paid leave policy did not make it over the finish line this session, we encourage legislators to continue working until this becomes implemented in New Mexico, for the health and prosperity of the families, workers, and businesses of our state.
P.S. If you want to see the Democratic Party in New Mexico continue to fight back against Trump and Elon and their spineless Republican Party, consider making a donation of any amount to sustain the Democratic Party of New Mexico . [[link removed]]
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Future progress in the legislature depends on protecting every Democratic incumbent and turning red seats blue.
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Thank you for your ongoing support,
NM Democrats
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Democratic Party of New Mexico
4013 Silver Ave. SE
Albuquerque, NM 87108
United States
Democratic Party of New Mexico
4013 Silver Ave SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108
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