SANTA FE, MARCH 22—The First Session of the 57th Legislature has ended, and sine die has been declared. Despite holding the minority in both chambers of the state legislature, Republicans held the line for New Mexicans against a wave of bad bills.
“First and foremost, I want to thank everyone for their hard work, countless hours and time spent away from family during this session,” said Republican Party of New Mexico (RPNM) Chairwoman Amy Barela. “Republicans in the legislature stood strong, stopping the biggest tax increase in state history and attacks on Second Amendment rights. Democrats ignored New Mexicans’ top concern—crime—killing common-sense Republican bills while pushing to reward violent juvenile offenders with thousands of tax dollars instead of jail time. Democrats focused on keeping explicit material in schools, protecting illegal immigrants, and punishing law-abiding gun owners while rejecting relief like $600 dividend checks and $500 tax rebates for New Mexicans. Despite fierce opposition, we congratulate Republicans on successfully passing legislation to target organized crime, holding cartels, gangs, and human traffickers accountable, while advancing critical CYFD reforms. This session shows we urgently need a Republican governor and legislature—leaders who are from among us, not above us and who will work for us.”
