Congress passed President Trump’s contentious tax and spending plan referred to as the “Big Beautiful Bill.”Health care, social programs, education, and clean energy will see major cuts to pay for increased spending on immigration enforcement, defense, and tax cuts for the upper class.

Protests over social, economic, and corporate policies have become increasingly contentious, reflecting a society that feels as divided as ever. Still, the act of speaking out has deep roots in our region. On the next Let’s Talk New Mexico we’ll discuss protests. Do they work? Which strategies are most effective? How have they evolved?

On this episode we talk about the promises and threats from private equity ownership in health care. New Mexico has the highest proportion of private equity- owned hospitals in the country and we’ve been named most at risk of further private equity takeovers. That's why lawmakers recently passed an oversight bill on hospital acquisitions and mergers.

On this episode we talk about the promises and threats from private equity ownership in health care. New Mexico has the highest proportion of private equity- owned hospitals in the country and we’ve been named most at risk of further private equity takeovers. That's why lawmakers recently passed an oversight bill on hospital acquisitions and mergers.

Nationwide schools are facing chronic absenteeism, and it’s even worse in New Mexico which saw the largest increase - of 119% from 2019 to 2023.

In 2018 a New Mexico judge ruled the state was failing to provide a constitutionally sufficient and equitable education to at-risk students. Years laters, the state is still out of compliance with that ruling and the plaintiffs have taken the case back to court.

In previous weeks we’ve explored the effects on our state of federal workforce reductions and likely federal funding cuts to Medicaid. Now prominent organizations like the New Mexico Humanities Council are reeling from cancelled federal grants. On the next Let’s Talk New Mexico, how will our non-profits endure big losses of federal funding promised by congress?

About a third of New Mexicans depend on medicaid to pay for health care. While our state legislature has signalled support by passing a bill to create a new medicaid trust fund, the United States congress is debating deep cuts to spending, including on medicaid. On the next Let’s Talk New Mexico, how would federal cuts affect health care in our state?

On the next Let’s Talk New Mexico, we’ll discuss the power of oil and gas in our statehouse and why legislators may not be willing to change rules for the industry that brings about a third of the state’s total revenue while being the top emitter of greenhouse gases.

We’ll reflect on the end of the 2025 legislative session by talking with journalists who followed all 60 days at the Roundhouse.