small business

As the 2025 New Mexico Legislative Session approaches, the leftist AARP New Mexico has made its priorities clear — and at the top of the list is a push for Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML). Despite repeated failures in past legislative sessions, AARP is doubling down on its support for this controversial policy. However, for New Mexico’s small business owners and job creators, this proposal represents a looming economic disaster.

PFML, championed by Sen. Mimi Stewart (D-Albuquerque) and Reps. Linda Serrato (D-Santa Fe), Christine Chandler (D-Los Alamos), and Patricia Roybal Caballero (D-Albuquerque) narrowly failed in the 2024 legislative session, falling just two votes short in the House. 

The plan involves the creation of a state-run fund, paid into by both employers and employees. Under the prior proposal, employees would contribute $5 for every $1,000 they earn, while employers would be forced to match it with $4 for every $1,000 in payroll. Workers would be eligible for up to 12 weeks of paid leave to address personal health issues, care for sick loved ones, or even adjust to the arrival of a new child.

The reality of PFML is far from rosy for New Mexico’s small business community. Mandating these contributions amounts to a payroll tax hike, hitting employers where it hurts most — their bottom line. For many small businesses already operating on razor-thin margins — and still recovering from Democrat Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s brutal COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns — this could mean cutting employee hours, freezing hiring, or even closing their doors entirely.

AARP’s push ignores the economic strain this policy would place on the very people it claims to help. 

This isn’t the first time New Mexico’s legislature has flirted with job-crushing PFML policies, and each prior attempt failed for good reason. Lawmakers recognized the burden it would place on small businesses, many of which are still recovering from the financial setbacks of the COVID-19 pandemic. The notion that businesses can easily absorb additional costs reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of how small enterprises operate.

For seniors and older New Mexicans, AARP’s position raises eyebrows. Many seniors rely on small businesses for part-time work, and a PFML mandate could slash these opportunities. This is one of the reasons why an increasing number of older Americans are turning away from AARP in favor of the Association of Mature American Citizens (AMAC).

Unlike AARP, which aligns with progressive policies that threaten economic growth, AMAC takes a more pro-business, pro-senior stance. AMAC advocates for limited government, fiscal responsibility, and policies that protect, rather than punish, job creators. For seniors looking for an organization that respects small businesses and the livelihoods they support, AMAC is a refreshing alternative.

AARP’s advocacy for PFML may come wrapped in the language of compassion, but the economic consequences are anything but kind. It would produce harmful, unintended effects: lost jobs, shuttered small businesses, and fewer opportunities for seniors seeking employment. If New Mexico’s legislature failed to pass it before, it’s because they recognized these risks.

As the legislative session unfolds, New Mexicans should watch closely. Will lawmakers stand with small businesses, or will they bow to AARP’s job-crushing agenda? Time will tell, but one thing is certain: Seniors and small business owners alike deserve better than a policy that threatens to crush New Mexico’s economy.