2025: The year in review
There was a lot of action in New Mexico politics and policy in 2025. Overall, New Mexico both continued to be held back by the awful politicians it elects and their failed policies and voters this fall continued to elect and reelect politicians that will continue down the same destructive path we’ve been on for years.
The Rio Grande Foundation (of course) continued to fight for freedom in a hostile environment. We won numerous defensive struggles, highlighted the myriad failures of our political classes, and celebrated our 25th anniversary. Check out our “year in review” below:
In January NAEP (known as the Nation’s Report Card) scores were released: New Mexico dead last in all four categories (again).
Judge slaps down MLG’s 5 day school week overreach.
2025 was a 60-day Legislative session. As usual there were wins and losses. RGF was very active throughout the session in supporting economic liberty and opposing government schemes.
- RGF provides expert testimony in support of eliminating personal income tax and setting up DOGE-style effort.Paid sick leave fails after numerous attempts/changes. RGF Action engages in its first public effort.
- Numerous bad bills including SB 4 (net zero) and SB 85 (anti-free speech), and HB 476 (price controls on credit cards) fail.
- MLG vetoes harmful tax bill (HB 14) and we agree with her on that.
- Royalties on oil and gas go up and a $2 billion Medicaid trust fund passes
- Nothing good comes of the session, but many bad things were killed
RGF tracked and rated all New Mexico legislators and their votes at our Freedom Index.
New Mexico’s Supreme Court rules in March that emergency orders issued by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham in 2023 that attempted to eliminate gun possession in Bernalillo County did not violate state law. Fortunately other judges who actually understand the Constitution already overturned the Gov.’s overreach.
RGF releases “Economic Freedom in the Land of Enchantment” report detailing how NM is the only state to have lost economic freedom since 1981.
In April RGF helped kill a GRT increase in Albuquerque.
In May Congress passes and Trump signs bill to end EV mandate.
RGF makes headlines over state support for “anti-Israel woke okra farm”
Heat Rule proposed and RGF pushes against it helping to kill it
RGF plays a starring role in Steve Cortes anti-wind energy documentary
RGF surveys and interviews (on Tipping Point NM) candidates for Mayor/City Council in ABQ
Kids Count report (again) places New Mexico Dead-last
RGF defends Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill
RGF highlights the reality of the film industry recession and its impact on New Mexico
RGF speaks out against ABQ campaign finance system
RGF takes up mantle of road repairs/questions status of Maxeon
Billboard campaign/podcast/RGF highlights APS $350 million bond, lack of necessity
Socialist Mamdani of New York would love New Mexico’s policies
New Mexico court ratifies ABQ “donation” of $250K to Planned Parenthood
RGF highlights problems with “free childcare”
RGF highlights data centers and their impact positive and negative
RGF has successful gala celebrating 25 years
New Mexico dead last in 2025 economic freedom index
Hoodie-gate takes the City of Albuquerque’s elections by storm.
Meanwhile, RGF recorded 102 episodes of the podcast Tipping Point NM while appearing regularly in print, on the radio, and on TV, and presenting to numerous civic and political groups, while maintaining a robust presence on social media.
