Lawmakers, Think New Mexico to Brief Los Alamos Before Session

Local residents will have a direct chance to hear from state leaders and a policy advocate on Thursday, Jan. 8, when the League of Women Voters of Los Alamos and the American Association of University Women present a community Legislative Preview at Fuller Lodge. The event begins at 7 p.m., with snacks available at 6:30 p.m., and will run until 9 p.m.

Representative Christine Chandler and Senators Leo Jaramillo and Roberto Gonzales will discuss their priorities for the forthcoming 30-day legislative session, which runs Jan. 20 through Feb. 19, 2026. Kristina Fisher of Think New Mexico will present the organization's priorities and strategies for the session. The format is designed as a public forum, allowing constituents to hear directly from their elected officials and from a policy organization active in state issues.

The timing is consequential for Los Alamos County. A compressed 30-day session concentrates debate and decision-making into a narrow window, making pre-session priority setting and constituent engagement especially important. For local officials and residents, that compressed schedule increases the value of early briefings where legislators outline which bills and budget items they plan to advance. The forum offers a practical setting for residents to assess how proposed state actions could affect county interests, from education and infrastructure to state funding priorities.

Beyond immediate policy detail, the preview underscores the role of civic engagement in shaping legislative outcomes. Face-to-face interaction with lawmakers and policy analysts helps translate community priorities into focused questions and public pressure before votes occur. For a community that regularly interacts with state- and federally funded institutions, understanding lawmakers' roadmaps before the session can inform local advocacy and prepare stakeholders for rapid legislative developments.

The event is open to the public and intended as a timely opportunity for voters to engage directly with those who will set the agenda in Santa Fe. Residents should consider attending to hear how representatives plan to use the limited legislative calendar and what that may mean for Los Alamos County in the months ahead.