Local Business Leaders Press Lawmakers on Policy Ahead of Session

On Dec. 18, the Farmington Chamber of Commerce and Four Corners Economic Development convened local business leaders and four state lawmakers for the county’s annual legislative breakfast to preview a 30-day session that begins in January. Representatives Mark Duncan (District 2), Bill Hall (District 3) and Rod Montoya (District 1), along with state Senator Bill Sharer (District 1), laid out policy areas expected to dominate the session. Tim Gibbs, CEO of Four Corners Economic Development, described the local economic outlook as optimistic while Chamber President Vince Moffitt emphasized the need for economic resilience.

Lawmakers and business leaders centered their conversation on a package of issues with clear local consequences: tax proposals, regulatory changes and potential reforms to crime and medical malpractice laws. Those topics may affect operating costs, compliance burdens and financial risk for San Juan County firms and service providers. Tax changes could shift margins for small businesses and affect consumer spending locally. Regulatory reform might alter permitting timelines or environmental and safety compliance costs for firms that operate regionally.

Reform of crime statutes and medical malpractice law has more indirect but material market implications. Changes to criminal statutes and sentencing policies can influence public-safety perceptions that affect retail foot traffic, tourism and workforce stability. Medical malpractice reforms can directly alter liability exposure for providers and hospitals, with downstream impacts on malpractice insurance premiums, the cost and availability of local healthcare services, and employer-sponsored health costs.

The meeting functioned as both briefing and planning session: organizers spelled out how legislation under consideration could translate into concrete outcomes for businesses, and they urged civic engagement so San Juan County priorities are represented in Santa Fe. For a county whose economy depends on a mix of services, small business activity and regional commerce, legislative shifts that raise costs or lengthen approval processes can affect hiring decisions and investment plans.

For local stakeholders, the immediate task is monitoring bill introductions and engaging with legislators during the 30-day session. Business leaders at the breakfast highlighted the importance of staying informed and communicating local economic needs to lawmakers so that policy choices reflect the county’s priorities. As the session progresses, San Juan County employers and residents should watch tax and liability proposals closely for their potential to reshape costs and the business climate in the year ahead.