Tomorrow, we begin a special session for that purpose, and I’d like to share what’s on the agenda with you.
Before we get into the specifics, a note about the nature of special sessions: special sessions are typically focused on a single topic and are much shorter than our regular 30 and 60-day sessions. In the recent past, they have lasted for just a few days. Because of their short nature, they don’t easily allow for in-depth deliberations, amendments, and revisions. They work best when the proposals are well ironed out in advance, which they are this year.
On the agenda:
Food Assistance: Maintain the $100 SNAP subsidy for seniors and disabled New Mexicans, protect SNAP enrollment for lawfully present immigrants, and support our food banks to help more of our neighbors.
Obamacare: Make ACA coverage more affordable for working and middle class New Mexicans. We will replace the Obamacare Enhanced Premium Tax Credits that Trump has allowed to lapse. Without this, New Mexicans with BeWell plans making $62,000 and up would see huge spikes in their premiums and many would be forced to drop coverage.
Disaster Funding: Replenish our depleted Contingency Fund to ensure New Mexico can respond quickly to disasters like floods and wildfires, given the delayed and smaller FEMA reimbursements under the Trump administration.
Medicaid Eligibility: Equip the Health Care Authority and Workforce Development Department with the staff and systems they will need to manage Medicaid and SNAP enrollment changes. Our goal is to help New Mexicans maintain their qualifications, reducing the number of people losing coverage as much as possible.
Science-Based Vaccine Recommendations: Maintain research-backed advice for parents and adults by using the immunization recommendations of the NM Department of Health with guidance from American Academy of Pediatricians’ and additional national medical organizations' as the standard for New Mexico. Unfortunately, after RFK Jr. replaced the entire committee, the CDC’s Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices no longer relies on evidence-based data and the medical community has lost trust in its decisions.
While the special session will be brief, its purpose is urgent: to protect New Mexicans from immediate harm and prepare for the upcoming 30-day session.
As legislators, we cannot prevent every harmful action taken at the federal level, but we can do our part to put forward solutions that safeguard families and keep our communities strong. At its best, democracy is about neighbors coming together to care for one another and this session is one step in making sure New Mexicans can count on their legislature to do just that.
Thank you, as always, for staying engaged and for the trust you place in me to represent our district. Feel free to forward this email to interested neighbors.
