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Monday, November 10, 2025Special Session Today Is A Stark Reminder Of Welfare State Status; SNAP Benefits At Highest Rate In Nation Here, And: Uballez Has A Train To Catch; Will He Make It? With a deal to open the federal government finally working its way through Congress, there seems little reason for New Mexico's lawmakers to gather in Santa Fe today. But the Governor jumped the gun, called them back and did not call them off so. . . About today's one day special legislative session called by MLG in reaction to the interruption of SNAP benefits due to the federal government shutdown. . . The SNAP debacle is a stark reminder of the state's welfare state status and how economic development has passed us by. Over 21 percent of the population--about 460,000 New Mexicans--depend on SNAP. That's the highest rate in the nation and has been for some time. The low-wage, low employment economy in a state of just 2.1 million just hangs around year after year. The Governor could have postponed today's special since the immediate funding problem for November appears resolved. But the Dems and GOP have been on war footing. Her office gave this reasoning for today's special session: The special session is moving forward Monday because Republicans in Congress still refuse to end this needless government shut down. While we are relieved that November benefits have been released, we are still cautious about relying on future SNAP funding being available. We’re not taking any chances with 460,000 New Mexicans’ food security. That reasoning is no longer operative now that the government is about to reopen but the politicos will have no problem filling the void with plenty of talk while sending the special session bill to Mr. and Mrs. New Mexico. TRAIN LEAVING?  Is Alex Uballez risking the train leaving the station without him? The former US attorney came in third in the ABQ mayoral election last week, getting 18.79 percent percent of the vote (not the 20 percent his campaign claims). That vote came mainly from progressive Democrats and slowed Dem Mayor Keller who now faces a December 9 runoff election with second place finisher Darren White, But Uballez is dragging his feet on an outright endorsement of Keller who received 36 percent of the vote to White's 31 percent. Uballez' campaign says "he’s standing committed to defeating Darren White so he can’t turn the city over to Trump." That may be all Keller needs from Uballez but more is always best. While Uballez is holding back and using that nearly 19 percent as a bargaining chip with the mayor, progressive Dem gubernatorial candidate Deb Haaland is filling the vacuum, coming with an early and robust endorsement of Keller. That's not a shabby replacement for Uballez in Dem dominated ABQ. Also Indivisible ABQ, a prominent progressive group, is prepping their endorsement of Keller who is seeking an unprecedented third four year term: And no doubt here will be more progressives coming aboard with Keller as fear mounts of a right-wing takeover of City Hall. Uballez earned a ticket Election Night but will he miss the train that could keep him on track for future success? This is the Home of New Mexico Politics. |
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