State Senator Nick Paul
District 33
This legislative session has been nothing more than a performance of deception by progressive lawmakers. It makes sense, they had to signal some sort of “action” in response to the terrible press coverage and public disdain in the aftermath of the failed public safety special session and years of inaction as our crime crisis has intensified over recent years.
Progressives here in the Roundhouse assembled a “Crime Package” that alone, will do little to nothing in terms of making our communities safer. It has aspects that we Republican lawmakers agree with and support, however this was contingent on several other actual tough-on-crime bills making it to the Governor’s desk. This has not been the case; alone, the “crime package” the Democrats are celebrating gives them political coverage and accomplishes nothing.
Meanwhile, the progressives in the Roundhouse are pushing the legislation they actually want: bills that support criminals and target law-abiding citizens.
They are promoting policies that actively protect and embolden criminals. If you disagree, explain to me House Bill 9 and Senate Bill 36 which work to prohibit the enforcement of federal laws for people who are here illegally in the United States. What do policies such as these contribute to the safety and security of tax-paying New Mexico citizens?
Furthermore, they have radical and unconstitutional proposals that specifically target law-abiding New Mexican citizens; Senate Bill 279 is the most egregious gun grab our state has ever considered. It would ban virtually every firearm New Mexicans commonly use for recreation, marksmanship, home and personal defense, and concealed carry. So, the 19-year-olds shooting each other in shopping malls and apartment complexes in Albuquerque aren’t addressed; however, the single woman who has a pistol in her home to defend herself is the problem…. It makes no sense.
If that wasn’t enough, they are simultaneously working to dismantle our state’s vital industries and small businesses. These measures only hurt working New Mexicans. Radical policies like Paid Family Medical Leave, extreme environmental regulations, increased taxes, and an increased minimum wage raises costs, drives jobs out of the state, and deters future opportunities for our state.
This is what the radicals are actually doing. They tell you during the election cycle they’re going to get tough on crime and help struggling working-class New Mexicans. Then they push forward damaging legislation and completely derail common sense Republican policies. Deception at its finest. Elections have consequences; remember this in 2026.
