Is this the dumbest state Legislature in the country?

By Charles Sullivan This is a pop quiz. You will first be asked to identify the state. After identifying the state, you will be asked to vote on whether the state’s legislature is the dumbest in the United States. Place your hand or a piece of paper over the bottom portion of your screen to prevent peeking at the answer. Here … Read More

DEA agent on Fentanyl Awareness Day: ‘We seized more pills than the number of residents in the state of New Mexico’

By Sam Jackson Feb 28, 2023 Local leaders, state representatives and families gathered at the state capitol in Albuquerque recently to share their stories in observance of Fentanyl Awareness Day. “We seized more pills than the number of residents in the state of New Mexico,” Carlos Briano of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Division in El Paso, Texas, said. Briano’s division … Read More

‘This new tax could be the last nail in the coffin’: Paid Family and Medical Leave Act to cost taxpayers $400M if it becomes law

By New Mexico Sun Report Mar 1, 2023 A proposal to mandate paid leave for workers, which New Mexico business owners said could hurt their businesses, could pass the Senate March 1.  A task force assigned to develop a plan that requires workers to receive paid family and medical leave (PFML) presented a proposal to New Mexico lawmakers last year that … Read More

Why are NM officials pushing for vaccinations in children?

Sarah Smith for the Las Cruces Sun News School districts all over the state are pushing students 12 years old and up to be vaccinated. Incentives are being offered to kids for being vaccinated. For instance, Albuquerque Public Schools recently said that they are planning events targeted at 16- and 17-year olds stressing that “the students need to sign up for the vaccine.” … Read More

Will there be a brighter ending to this legislative session?

Analysis and Commentary by Better Together New Mexico Founder Carla J. Sonntag There have been some attempts to justify what’s happening in Santa Fe, but let’s look at some facts rarely discussed. New Mexico has a two-party system. But the truth is that it often functions that way in name only.   Why? According to Ballotpedia, New Mexico has roughly … Read More

‘Housing First’ fails residents and the community

Sarah Smith January 31, 2023 3 min read It has been widely reported that Las Cruces is struggling with crime and drugs in and near the Desert Hope Affordable Housing Project on Pecos Street, near Solano and Idaho. Desert Hope is a “Housing First” project aimed specifically at providing homes for the homeless, yet residents and nearby neighbors have repeatedly … Read More

Townhall: Over 200 Democrats Vote Against Providing Medical Attention to Babies Who Survive Abortion

Democrats are so hellbent on making abortion a nonchalant, one-stop procedure for abolishing unwanted pregnancies, that nearly every House Democrat voted against legislation that would provide medical attention to babies born alive after an attempt to abort them.  In a 220-210 vote, the House passed the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, which requires doctors to provide medical care for babies … Read More

BTNM: The Las Cruces Project

Better Together New Mexico (BTNM) is a statewide grassroots alliance creating important change in our state. We are influencing decisions that impact our lives, families, and communities in a new positive direction. Working together as a cohesive team, we are uniting, activating, and empowering all those who want to drive New Mexico to reach its full potential. The Las Cruces … Read More

Join us at the NMBC Legislative BASH!

On January 19, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm, we invite you to join us at Revel Entertainment Center for an incredible Legislative B.A.S.H. (Business and Social Hour). Don’t miss the opportunity to find out what new laws are being introduced and how they might affect your world! Enjoy an informative and lively presentation by our keynote speaker Jonathan Williams, Chief Economist … Read More

📰City Council allows marijuana to be sold near school for the poor

elementary school building in Las Cruces

By Sarah Smith Sep 9, 2022 On September 6, the Las Cruces City Council and Mayor voted unanimously to allow recreational marijuana to be sold right next to New America School, despite the fact that the City Ordinance calls for a minimum buffer distance of 300 feet between a school and a marijuana dispensary. The dispensary will be in an existing … Read More

Food Bank: Costs on the Rise

Woman walking down a bulk grocery aisle for roadrunner foodbank

By New Mexico Sun Report Dec 23, 2022 Rising inflation and threats of an impending recession have had a trickle-down impact on food banks experiencing shortages of donations during the holiday season. Roadrunner Food Bank director of communications, Sonya Warwick, said rising food budgets have been difficult on everyone. “Just like people that we serve who are in our food lines … Read More

Aycock: Albuquerque mayor’s Housing Forward Plan is ‘poorly conceived’

By Sam Jackson Dec 20, 2022 Colleen Aycock believes the city of Albuquerque is doing the local homeless population, and the city itself, a disservice by promoting its “Housing Forward” plan to convert motels into temporary housing, calling the program “poorly conceived.” The OneAlbuquerque Fund has set a goal of adding 5,000 new living spaces to Albuquerque to address the housing shortage, and … Read More

Hotel association backs Safe Outdoor Spaces appeals: ‘SOSs actually increase crime, are harmful to the economy’

By New Mexico Sun Report Dec 14, 2022 Karl Holme, executive director of the Greater Albuquerque Hotel & Lodging Association, fully supports Bob Reule of the Menaul Business Coalition in opposing the implementation of Safe Outdoor Spaces. Reule sent a letter to City Councilor Trudy Jones saying its research suggests “SOSs actually increase crime, are harmful to the economy and in direct conflict … Read More

Fatal shooting of UNM student by NMSU player

By New Mexico Sun Report Nov 29, 2022 Police continue to investigate the fatal shooting of a student from the University of New Mexico by a New Mexico State University basketball player hours before a men’s basketball game between the rival schools that was later postponed. Police said Brandon Travis, a 19-year-old UNM student, was fatally shot by Mike Peake, a member … Read More

Maybe they will realize the citizens have had enough

By T.H. Lawrence Oct 10, 2022 A billboard recently displayed in Las Cruces raised some questions from city residents — along with the hackles of some city officials. The billboard at the intersection of Missouri Avenue and South Solano Drive, sponsored by Juan Garcia of the Coalition of Conservatives in Action, shows a graphic photo highlighting the increase in crime in the city and … Read More

UNM and NMSU should drop their COVID-19 vaccine mandates now

By Sarah Smith Dec 12, 2022 COVID-19 vaccine mandates at the University of New Mexico (UNM) and New Mexico State University (NMSU) should be rescinded immediately.  These vaccine mandates are being applied to over 50,000 students and staff all over the state, including high school students attending dual credit classes. It is unethical and discriminatory to deny students and staff access … Read More