Texas Eyes Annexing New Mexico Counties

0:00It's April 7th. Welcome in. This is El Paso News today, where local news meets AI. Texas lawmakers are eyeing a bold move to annex two counties from southeast New Mexico, Leah and Roosevelt, right near Lubbock. Folks there, mostly Republicans, say they'd rather join the Lone Star State for better alignment. The Texas House Speaker tasked a committee to check the legal and money angles of making it happen. These counties sit just west of Lubbock, packed with oil workers, ranchers, and farmers who feel more at home with Texas ways. They gripe about heavy rules and taxes from Santa Fe, preferring Texas's lighter government touch. Local leaders in those New Mexico spots have voiced strong interest in switching sides, calling it a potential game changer for conservative voters. Tired of urban-dominated policies. New Mexico Democrats are shutting it down hard, with the governor's team labeling it unserious and the House Speaker blasting it online. Legal pros point out a need to buy in from both states plus Congress under the Constitution. Shifting borders could flip congressional seats

1:04with New Mexico losing one and Texas gaining, making approval a long shot. Still, it highlights growing pushes in places like Oregon and Illinois for folks eyeing friendlier state lines.