Highlights from Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s 2026 State of the State Address and the Republican Response

SANTA FE, New Mexico (January 21, 2026) — On Tuesday, January 20, 2026, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) delivered her eighth and final State of the State address to a joint session of the New Mexico Legislature at the Roundhouse, kicking off the 30-day regular session. In her longest speech to lawmakers, she reflected on seven years of Democratic-led progress while outlining an ambitious “finish strong” agenda for her last year in office, emphasizing bipartisanship, legacy-building, and moving past division.

Key Highlights from Gov. Lujan Grisham’s Address

The governor touted accomplishments like free child care, free college, historic family income growth, expanded health care access, and a booming clean energy economy. She framed the session as an opportunity to “cement a legacy that lifts up every New Mexican,” rejecting a “victory lap” and calling for collaborative action on urgent issues.

Major proposals included:

• Universal Child Care — A $160 million recurring increase to guarantee permanent universal access, building on New Mexico’s national-leading status as the best place to start a family.

• Education — Boost literacy and math standards for better workforce readiness; implement a cell phone ban in schools to improve focus.

• Economic Development — $150 million in tax credits to attract and solidify investments in cutting-edge technologies like quantum and fusion energy.

• Infrastructure & Housing — A $1.5 billion transportation bonding package for major road projects and local improvements; $110 million for new housing units and homelessness initiatives; zoning reforms to speed up production.

• Climate — Codify the Climate Action Plan to achieve a 45% pollution cut by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2050.

• Public Safety — Juvenile justice reforms to address severe teen crimes; assault weapons ban; gun dealer accountability and trafficking measures; stronger penalties for felons possessing firearms.

• Health Care — Medical malpractice reform to reduce costs and retain providers; join interstate licensing compacts for doctors and social workers to ease shortages; eliminate gross receipts tax on medical services; expand the University of New Mexico medical school to double enrollment.

She opened with a light-hearted anecdote about starting at a local restaurant (Tia Sophia’s) and ended by urging lawmakers to overcome an “inferiority complex,” work together respectfully across party lines, and recognize shared love for New Mexico. The speech included calls for no name-calling and mutual respect.

Republican Response

Republican leaders, including Senate Republicans, delivered a response immediately after the address. They highlighted areas of agreement with the governor, positioning themselves as “unlikely allies” on key issues while noting shared priorities.

• The GOP expressed support for proposals on juvenile crime, pretrial detention, funding for the Department of Transportation, and attracting health care practitioners to the state.

• They agreed on the need to control crime, improve public safety, and address workforce shortages in health care.

• Republicans cast the governor’s emphasis on these areas as vindication of their long-standing calls (e.g., through town halls and task forces on juvenile justice).

• While acknowledging common ground, they urged Democrats to act swiftly on these bipartisan opportunities in the short session.

Overall, the response was measured and collaborative in tone, with Republicans signaling willingness to work together on overlapping goals like public safety and infrastructure, even as differences remain on issues like gun control.

The address and response set a tone of potential cooperation amid a fast-paced session (bill introduction deadline February 4; adjournment February 19). 

For full video/transcript: Check YouTube (official streams), or governor.state.nm.us. Live updates continue at nmlegis.gov.

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