NE New Mexico News

The New Mexico House GOP asked New Mexicans on Facebook what they thought on allowing some businesses throughout the state to start to reopening. 

"After weeks of inaction, the governor has decided to engage a few New Mexican businesses," the GOP said on Facebook. "Our message has been clear from day one: We can continue to manage risks while allowing [New Mexico] to develop plans to return to work. Unfortunately, it seems that the government continues to pick winners and losers."

Constituents that responded to the House GOP expressed that they wanted all New Mexican businesses to open and some even suggested ignoring Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham's executive orders. 

New Mexican Shane Nolen asked in response to the GOP what the governor will do if the stay-at-home and shut down executive orders are ignored. 

Nolen said, "Can anyone answer this: What can [Gisham] really do if we all ignore her shut down, go and open our small businesses, use common sense and live our lives again? Is she going to arrest the entire state? Can she forcefully take away your business? When will the New Mexico GOP actually stand up to her, uphold their oath and let her know we are not going to follow her blind, self serving lead?"

Others expressed concern about business shutting down forever if they are not allowed to open soon, especially with small business loans running out. 

"My son could loose is cafe, having take out only is not making ends meet. He applied for the loan but was told 'Sorry, money ran out,'" Cosetta Lewis said on Facebook. "Sue the state, [New Mexico] residents are not on house arrest."

After the governor extended the stay-at-home order to May 15, many New Mexicans were confused what her intentions were behind the extension, claiming that many counties had little to no COVID-19 cases. 

"As usual everyone will have to ignore what [Grisham] says. She's just not for the people," Tammy Huddleston said on Facebook. 

Another New Mexican resident Wendy Van Epps said Grisham should take full responsibility for any small businesses that permanently close. 

"I want to know when [Grisham] is going to take full responsibility for the loss and destruction of small businesses in [New Mexico]," Epps said on Facebook. "They're not closed due to the virus. They are closed by her unilateral actions. If she can get in front of the camera and cry for the people who died, she can get in front of the camera and apologize for the lives she's destroyed."