Dear friends and supporters,The 2026 legislative session brought important news for the future of local journalism in New Mexico. In a year when the state budget is steady but no longer growing at record levels, lawmakers made a clear decision: local news matters. Through the state’s $11.1 billion budget and a coordinated tax package, the Legislature created new tools to help strengthen newsrooms, protect public media, and support the next generation of journalists across our state.Here’s what that means in simple terms. First, local news organizations can now access a refundable tax credit that covers 30% of a journalist’s wages, up to $15,000 per reporter per year. There is also a new tax credit for local news printers to help offset rising production costs. Together, these credits are designed to help newsrooms keep reporters employed, especially in rural and underserved communities where coverage is most at risk.
Second, the state approved $3 million in emergency funding to stabilize public media stations impacted by federal cuts, including dedicated funding for tribal radio stations serving Indigenous communities. In addition, $200,000 was allocated for local news fellowships through the Department of Workforce Solutions, helping young journalists build careers here in New Mexico rather than leaving the state.These investments recognize something we’ve long said at the New Mexico Local News Fund: strong local journalism is essential to healthy communities and accountable government. We are deeply grateful to the Fifty-Seventh Legislature and bill sponsors who championed these measures. This is meaningful progress, and we look forward to continuing this work together to ensure every New Mexican has access to reliable, local information.With appreciation,New Mexico Local News Fund
