Last week, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released the application form that states will use to request funding from the $50 billion fund for rural hospitals that was included in the federal budget bill.

The application for those federal funds awards more points to states that participate in the interstate health care worker compacts, as the Albuquerque Journal and Source New Mexico reported on Friday.

This means that New Mexico's failure to participate in most of the compacts could result in the state forfeiting millions of dollars for our rural hospitals.

Please email your legislators and urge them to pass all of the interstate health care worker compacts during the special session! The governor has said she would like to include them if the legislative leadership agrees.

By Paul Appel

As often happens, a bill died in the last day of the 2025 session when time ran out and what died just might be our roads. But legislators and the governor have a chance to fix it, make our roads safer, and save thousands of jobs.

In average years, the legislators fund road construction and necessary road maintenance to the tune of $200 million. In this year's session back earlier this year, there was only a $65 million allocation – for maintenance alone, leaving the state's road construction and maintenance fund short by $135 million. This has thrown road construction and maintenance operations into chaos and crisis.

By Fred Nathan, Executive Director, Think New Mexico

When the legislature convenes for a special session starting October 1, they should enact a straightforward reform that will immediately increase access to health care providers in New Mexico: join all the interstate compacts for health care workers.

These interstate compacts are agreements among states to recognize professional licenses issued by the other states participating in the compact. So, for example, a doctor licensed in Colorado could provide their license information to the New Mexico Medical Board and quickly become licensed to practice here as well.

Santa Fe, NM — The New Mexico Senate Republican Caucus is proud to convene a legislative task force covering healthcare access challenges in New Mexico. Taking place on Monday, September 29th, from 1-4pm, this public hearing will feature expert testimony and policy discussion from New Mexico Health Secretary Gina M. DeBlassie, medical providers, hospital representatives, New Mexico patients, and others. 

Monday's task force is a direct response to ongoing public interest and concern regarding New Mexico's deteriorating access to quality healthcare. Furthermore, this hearing was organized in large part due to the fact that despite official requests from Republican legislators, Democrats in the legislature have refused to take action or host meaningful discussions on this topic during the interim legislative committee process. 

*A full hearing agenda is provided in the attachments and is readily available by visiting NMSenateGOP.com 

Interested parties may attend in-person or view via livestream on the New Mexico Senate Republicans Youtube Channel 

By Paul Gessing

New Mexico is facing an increasingly dire situation on its roads. A recent Albuquerque Journal story stated that "New Mexico faces a $471.6 million gap in funding for priority projects around the state." A total of $5.6 billion is needed for road maintenance. Furthermore, the report noted that "the percentage of acceptable roads in New Mexico has decreased in recent years, from 75% in 2011 to 69% in 2023."

Deteriorating roads have real economic and safety implications. According to SourceNM, "deteriorating roads result in drivers paying an average of $2,074 annually, for vehicle maintenance, congestion and safety costs. New Mexico has 1.74 deaths per 100 million miles driven, which is the third-highest fatality rate in the country.

Excuse me! Regarding Dr. Shepherd's severance package: It was entirely too excessive to begin with! And, that is disregarding the old adage about "Where there is smoke; there is fire!" DECREASE OR ELIMINATE IT would have been my vote as would have been that of my family members who are or were also graduates or employees of WNMU.

I used to tell folks with pride that I was a grad and that not only was my late husband a grad; but, he did the original computerization of WNMU when there were no scandals associated with the university!

NEW MEXICO-SEPTEMBER 17, 2025 - Statement from the Republican Party of New Mexico on the Roadless Rule 

Senator Heinrich's recent comments on the Trump Administration's effort to rescind the 2001 Roadless Rule once again show a disconnect between Democrat Representatives and the realities facing New Mexicans. While Senator Heinrich claims that rolling back the rule will "make millions of acres vulnerable to destructive wildfires, carve up wildlife habitat, degrade opportunities for recreation, and threaten the headwaters our communities rely on," the truth for communities in New Mexico is more complex.

To the editor:
I want to thank the editor, Mary Alice Murphy for acknowledging and apologizing for the behavior of her "investigative reporter." The recent articles about our police chief, Freddy Portillo, and articles linking our former senator, Siah Hemphil with the Joe Shepherd incident were more on the order of British tabloid stuff. The Grant County Beat has always been better than that. Thank you for your honesty and integrity.

Sincerely,
Donna Sebastian