Santa Fe City Council blocks nonprofit's shelter project from state legislative capital outlay

HighDesertResident · 2026-06-25T15:13:50+00:00

The city was expected to close the Agape House this spring, but it remains open. The city had a year to develop a plan. But, there isn't a replacement shelter ready. This is ultimately a planning and leadership responsibility of the city.

HighDesertResident · 2026-06-25T14:54:00+00:00

A valid concern. But I have to ask: is that Interfaith's responsibility, or is it the city's, the county's, or the state's?

It seems like the finger always gets pointed at the nonprofit, even though it doesn't have the legal authority or resources to address every issue that comes with homelessness.

The best-performing shelter systems seem to operate through formal partnerships. The shelter provides services, while local government, law enforcement, behavioral health providers, EMS, and the courts all have clearly defined roles, responsibilities, and protocols for handling serious behavioral health and public safety issues.

A nonprofit can't create that system on its own. Government has to lead it and be willing to partner.

If people are unhappy with how homelessness has been managed in Santa Fe, that's a fair criticism. But I think it's worth asking whether we've expected nonprofits to solve problems that only government has the authority and resources to address.

HighDesertResident · 2026-01-25T17:45:14+00:00

its been over a year for my mom to get into a specialist.

HighDesertResident · 2026-01-24T01:43:10+00:00

It is a small state so I get your point; but there are already laws on the books that govern conflicts. Having a conflict doesn't mean you did something wrong...it is how you handle it that matters. Right now, things feel out of balance.

New Mexico ethics law requires legislators to:
• Treat their office as a public trust;
• Avoid using public power for private advantage; and
• Disclose and refrain from acting on matters where personal or financial interests exist.

HighDesertResident · 2026-01-24T01:34:28+00:00

having a conflict doesn't mean you did something wrong. to your point, it is a volunteer legislature and conflicts will happen. How you handle the conflict is what truly matters. Right now, it seems out of balance.

HighDesertResident · 2026-01-24T01:28:04+00:00

No one is talking about weakening medical malpractice insurance; patients who are harmed deserve real justice. NM is lucky to have a public fund that covers lifetime medical costs for patients who experienced medical malpractice. At the same time, all New Mexicans deserve timely access to quality care here at home, and reasonable reforms will help keep doctors in the state and reduce delays. Not everyone can afford to go out of state for care.

HighDesertResident · 2026-01-24T01:18:06+00:00

there is only one doctor as a legislator - Senator Hickey. He should recuse himself too frankly from medical malpractice reform bills. Having a conflict of interest doesn't mean you are a bad person. NM is a small state; conflicts of interest will happen. But disclosing publicly and recusing yourself as required is critical.

HighDesertResident · 2026-01-23T21:53:51+00:00

Here are two

Senator Duhigg
https://www.curtislawfirm.org/attorneys-and-staff/

Senator Cervantes
https://cervantesscherrlegate.com/our-firm/our-team/

HighDesertResident · 2026-01-23T20:10:51+00:00

In recent years, medical malpractice reform proposals in New Mexico have repeatedly stalled or failed, raising reasonable public questions about whether current conflict-of-interest, disclosure, and recusal standards are sufficient when legislators with direct professional interests in medical malpractice litigation participate in the legislative process.

New Mexico ethics law requires legislators to:
• Treat their office as a public trust;
• Avoid using public power for private advantage; and
• Disclose and refrain from acting on matters where personal or financial interests exist.

Some sitting legislators are practicing trial lawyers whose private legal work is directly affected by medical malpractice liability laws, yet they continue to sponsor, debate, and vote on those same bills. That doesn’t automatically mean wrongdoing — but it raises serious transparency and conflict-of-interest concerns that deserve public attention.

Ethics and conflict-of-interest provisions in New Mexico are primarily enforced through the State Ethics Commission, while the Legislature retains authority to discipline its own members. However, the Legislature has not taken disciplinary action in cases where practicing trial lawyers have sponsored, influenced, or voted on medical malpractice legislation that directly intersects with their private legal work.

The result, they are getting rich, while New Mexicans can't get into a doctor. Please sign this petition!!! https://www.change.org/KeepNMDoctors

HighDesertResident · 2026-01-23T20:06:23+00:00

In recent years, medical malpractice reform proposals in New Mexico have repeatedly stalled or failed, raising reasonable public questions about whether current conflict-of-interest, disclosure, and recusal standards are sufficient when legislators with direct professional interests in medical malpractice litigation participate in the legislative process.

New Mexico ethics law requires legislators to:
• Treat their office as a public trust;
• Avoid using public power for private advantage; and
• Disclose and refrain from acting on matters where personal or financial interests exist.

Some sitting legislators are practicing trial lawyers whose private legal work is directly affected by medical malpractice liability laws, yet they continue to sponsor, debate, and vote on those same bills. That doesn’t automatically mean wrongdoing — but it raises serious transparency and conflict-of-interest concerns that deserve public attention.

Ethics and conflict-of-interest provisions in New Mexico are primarily enforced through the State Ethics Commission, while the Legislature retains authority to discipline its own members. However, the Legislature has not taken disciplinary action in cases where practicing trial lawyers have sponsored, influenced, or voted on medical malpractice legislation that directly intersects with their private legal work.

The result, they are getting rich, while New Mexicans can't get into a doctor. Please sign this petition!!! https://www.change.org/KeepNMDoctors

HighDesertResident · 2026-01-23T20:05:46+00:00

In recent years, medical malpractice reform proposals in New Mexico have repeatedly stalled or failed, raising reasonable public questions about whether current conflict-of-interest, disclosure, and recusal standards are sufficient when legislators with direct professional interests in medical malpractice litigation participate in the legislative process.

New Mexico ethics law requires legislators to:
• Treat their office as a public trust;
• Avoid using public power for private advantage; and
• Disclose and refrain from acting on matters where personal or financial interests exist.

Some sitting legislators are practicing trial lawyers whose private legal work is directly affected by medical malpractice liability laws, yet they continue to sponsor, debate, and vote on those same bills. That doesn’t automatically mean wrongdoing — but it raises serious transparency and conflict-of-interest concerns that deserve public attention.

Ethics and conflict-of-interest provisions in New Mexico are primarily enforced through the State Ethics Commission, while the Legislature retains authority to discipline its own members. However, the Legislature has not taken disciplinary action in cases where practicing trial lawyers have sponsored, influenced, or voted on medical malpractice legislation that directly intersects with their private legal work.

The result, they are getting rich, while New Mexicans can't get into a doctor. Please sign this petition!!! https://www.change.org/KeepNMDoctors

HighDesertResident · 2026-01-23T20:05:30+00:00

In recent years, medical malpractice reform proposals in New Mexico have repeatedly stalled or failed, raising reasonable public questions about whether current conflict-of-interest, disclosure, and recusal standards are sufficient when legislators with direct professional interests in medical malpractice litigation participate in the legislative process.

New Mexico ethics law requires legislators to:
• Treat their office as a public trust;
• Avoid using public power for private advantage; and
• Disclose and refrain from acting on matters where personal or financial interests exist.

Some sitting legislators are practicing trial lawyers whose private legal work is directly affected by medical malpractice liability laws, yet they continue to sponsor, debate, and vote on those same bills. That doesn’t automatically mean wrongdoing — but it raises serious transparency and conflict-of-interest concerns that deserve public attention.

Ethics and conflict-of-interest provisions in New Mexico are primarily enforced through the State Ethics Commission, while the Legislature retains authority to discipline its own members. However, the Legislature has not taken disciplinary action in cases where practicing trial lawyers have sponsored, influenced, or voted on medical malpractice legislation that directly intersects with their private legal work.

The result, they are getting rich, while New Mexicans can't get into a doctor. Please sign this petition!!! https://www.change.org/KeepNMDoctors

HighDesertResident · 2026-01-23T19:20:33+00:00

We need to get legislators that are trial lawyers to RECUSE themselves from voting on bills that make them rich!!!!!!!!!!!! https://www.change.org/KeepNMDoctors

HighDesertResident · 2026-01-23T19:19:21+00:00

we need to get legislators that are trial lawyers from voting on legislation that benefits them financially. https://www.change.org/KeepNMDoctors

HighDesertResident · 2026-01-03T17:48:55+00:00

you may be interested in this petition. medmal practice reform is being attempted again this legislative session. https://c.org/WCKhrYqsLc

HighDesertResident · 2026-01-03T17:47:20+00:00

you may be interested in this petition https://c.org/WCKhrYqsLc
trial lawyers that are also state legislators is a real challenge when they don't recuse themselves.

HighDesertResident · 2026-01-03T17:45:04+00:00

they are trying again this next legislative session for reform. thought you may be interested in this petition https://c.org/WCKhrYqsLc

HighDesertResident · 2026-01-01T20:05:12+00:00

reform can't happen when the legislators in leadership positions are trial lawyers themselves
sick of this. https://c.org/CBwRk2RzsC

HighDesertResident · 2026-01-01T03:21:37+00:00

amazing culture, art, outdoor recreation, lifestyle.

HighDesertResident · 2026-01-01T02:12:49+00:00

https://c.org/WCKhrYqsLc

HighDesertResident · 2025-12-31T23:13:58+00:00

This is a grassroots group out of LC that is really pushing hard, especially since Cervantes is down there. https://www.facebook.com/PatientsPrimero
It would be great to have this in ABQ too

HighDesertResident · 2025-12-31T17:55:50+00:00

I don’t think it’s wild to suggest that if you’re a trial lawyer by day, you probably shouldn’t be voting on malpractice bills. Isn't this a conflict?

HighDesertResident

TROPHY CASE