Boosting New Mexico’s healthcare fund is essential to keeping coverage affordable and helping families rise out of poverty. At the end of 2025, Congress failed to extend the enhanced premium tax credits that had helped millions of Americans afford health insurance through the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Their expiration threatened steep premium increases for tens of thousands of New Mexicans who rely on the ACA marketplace for coverage.
The possibility of encountering immigration officials can have a chilling effect on immigrant and mixed-status families, leading many families to avoid public spaces and services, miss critical pediatric appointments or delay or forgo necessary treatment as they fear the presence of immigration officers at or near health care facilities.
The reach and impact of the many investments New Mexico’s leaders have made to support immigrant communities, families and children are threatened by the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) final “public charge” regulation, which went into effect Friday, Sept. 18.
The U.S. Census Bureau released new 2025 data from the Current Population Survey on September 15, which includes a comparison of the most recent Official Poverty Measure (OPM) and the Supplemental Poverty Measure (SPM). The data primarily represent national poverty levels, but state-level data for 2023-2025 are also released in supplemental tables.
New Mexico lawmakers should have enough revenue to build upon their recent work supporting families and children. At the August 26 meeting of the Legislative Finance Committee, the Consensus Revenue Estimating Group (CREG) released their first estimate of how much money the state should expect to be available for the upcoming 2027-28 fiscal year (FY 28).
There have been growing calls to legalize online sports betting in New Mexico. Today, sports wagering is limited to tribal casinos, but some lawmakers and industry advocates argue that expanding it online would generate new tax revenue and help diversify the state’s economy. New Mexico should reject online sports betting. Expanding and increasing access to online betting would prioritize short-term revenue over the long-term well-being of New Mexico families and communities.
States across the country are confronting growing budget risks—from volatile economies and demographic change to climate impacts and rapid technological shifts. A new report from the Pew Charitable Trusts offers encouraging news: New Mexico is one of only six states recognized for taking comprehensive steps to prepare its budget for long-term fiscal risks.
Too frequently, taxes get a bad rap. But the truth is, taxes are how we invest in one another and build the strong communities we all depend on. New Mexicans benefit tremendously from public schools, roads, health care, and safety. Taxes also help thousands of New Mexico families afford the basics of a dignified life by creating opportunity, stability and a stronger future.
In the 2026 legislative session, lawmakers, advocates, and community members secured crucial funding to fight food insecurity and improve housing affordability in New Mexico. While federal cuts have threatened the support programs our families and children rely on, our state legislature passed family-focused investments that will keep food on the table for households across the state.
Expanding access to health care for New Mexicans is multifaceted and complex. This legislative session, New Mexico made major investments to help keep health care accessible and affordable, protect families from harmful federal policy changes, and make our state a more attractive place for health care providers to practice.