Alamogordo NM
2-20-2026 11:32am

New Mexico Legislature Prioritizes Independent Media and Journalists in 2026 Session

Alamogordo, NM – In a session marked by fiscal caution amid a stabilizing state budget, the New Mexico Legislature has taken significant steps to bolster local journalism, recognizing its vital role in informing communities and holding government accountable. The 57th Legislature, concluding its 30-day session in February 2026, approved measures including tax incentives and targeted funding aimed at sustaining independent media outlets, particularly in rural and underserved areas. These actions come at a time when newsrooms across the state face mounting challenges from declining ad revenues and federal funding cuts to public broadcasting.

The centerpiece of the legislative support is Senate Bill 120 (SB 120), the Local Journalist Employment Tax Credit, which provides a refundable tax credit covering 30% of a journalist’s wages, capped at $15,000 per reporter annually. Sponsored by Senators Carrie Hamblen (D-Las Cruces) and Peter Wirth (D-Santa Fe), the bill targets locally owned news organizations, excluding publicly traded companies. With an aggregate annual cap of $4 million, this incentive is designed to help retain and hire reporters, especially in news deserts like Gallup, where the recent closure of a longstanding newspaper highlighted the fragility of local coverage. 

Complementing this is Senate Bill 150 (SB 150), which introduces a tax credit for local news printers to offset rising production costs. This measure supports the physical infrastructure of print media, ensuring that community newspapers can continue operations despite economic pressures. Both bills were incorporated into a broader tax package, Senate Bill 151, which passed the Senate and is expected to generate additional state revenue while providing relief in key sectors like healthcare and housing. 

Beyond tax relief, the state’s $11.1 billion general fund budget for Fiscal Year 2027 includes $3 million in emergency funding to stabilize public media stations affected by federal cuts. This allocation, distributed through the Department of Finance and Administration and the Indian Affairs Department, prioritizes tribal radio stations serving Indigenous communities. The funding addresses gaps created by congressional rescissions of public broadcasting appropriations, which have threatened stations’ ability to deliver essential news, weather alerts, and cultural programming in remote areas. 

Additionally, $200,000 has been earmarked for local news fellowships administered by the Department of Workforce Solutions. This program aims to nurture the next generation of journalists by providing training and placements in New Mexico newsrooms, helping to stem the brain drain of talent to other states. Building on previous investments, such as the $350,000 allocated in 2025 for similar initiatives at the University of New Mexico, this funding supports internships and fellowships that connect aspiring reporters with independent media outlets. 

These measures reflect a growing consensus among lawmakers that independent journalism is essential for vibrant democracies. As noted by the New Mexico Local News Fund, strong local news fosters healthy communities and transparent governance. Advocates, including the New Mexico Press Association, have praised the Legislature for these “meaningful progress” steps, though they emphasize the need for ongoing support to prevent further erosion of media landscapes in rural New Mexico. 

As independent media like 2md Life Media AlamogordoTownNews.org and KALHRadio.org continue to serve local audiences, these legislative wins offer a lifeline amid industry-wide challenges. Stakeholders now look ahead to implementation, hoping these tools will help sustain the flow of reliable information to every corner of the state.

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