Luján Introduces Bipartisan Bill To Protect Consumers In The Online Ticket Marketplace
U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sens. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), members of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation, reintroduced the Mitigating Automated Internet Networks for (MAIN) Event Ticketing Act, legislation that would and better protect consumers in the online ticket marketplace. The MAIN Event Ticketing Act boosts enforcement of the Better Online Ticket Sales (BOTS) Act of 2016, a law that prohibits ticket scalpers from using software to purchase high volumes of tickets.
“Far too many Read More
Judge Strikes Down Education Department’s 180-Day Rule
By MARGARET O’HARA
The Santa Fe New Mexican
A state judge on Monday axed the New Mexico Public Education Department’s controversial “180-day rule.”
Fifth Judicial District Judge Dustin Hunter struck down the agency’s requirement for all public districts and charter schools in the state to include 180 instructional days in their calendar each year, finding the rule “does not align with the Legislature’s clear intention.”
“The PED lacks the authority to implement a rule mandating a minimum number of instructional days for public Read More
On Immigrant Workers Day Of Action, Hundreds Of New Mexico Demonstrators Push For Protections
Gina Auz Granillo marches with an American flag with thousands of other protesters during the Immigrant and Workers Day of Action rally at the state Capitol in Santa Fe Monday, Feb. 3, 2025. Photo by Michael G. Seamans/The New Mexican
By DANIEL J. CHACÓN
The Santa Fe New Mexican
Nearly four decades ago, Octavio Burrola swam across the Rio Grande with nothing more than a dream and a plastic bag with a change of clothes.
Now a legalized citizen and retired, Burrola — who said he served 24 years in the National Guard — joined a throng of some 1,300 demonstrators from across the state Monday at the state Capitol Read More
Candidate Changed Residency Claims Twice In A Year
By MILAN SIMONICH
The Santa Fe New Mexican
Altering voter registration records in hopes of getting appointed to the Legislature must be a way of life for politicians in Cibola County.
A pair of bitter foes, former state Sen. Clemente Sanchez and former state Rep. Harry Garcia, both abruptly changed their residency listings to pursue a vacant seat in the House of Representatives.
Garcia began as the front-runner, but he was disqualified after state investigators exposed him for claiming he lived in a trailer park that was uninhabited.
Sanchez now has a chance to be appointed, but his tactics were Read More
Legislative Roundup: 47 Days Left In Session
The Santa Fe New Mexican:
‘Green amendment’ gets pushback: Conservationists and private citizens hoping to enshrine their right to a clean and healthy environment in the New Mexico Constitution turned up at the state Capitol on Monday to applaud another attempt to pass a “green amendment.”
Three states — New York, Montana and Pennsylvania — have adopted green amendments.
It’s the fifth time New Mexico legislators have tried to get such a bill passed. This year’s version cleared the House Government, Elections and Indian Affairs Committee on a 6-3 vote — but Read More
Bills Seek To Bring Sunshine On Lobbyist Spending And Activities During Legislative Sessions
From New Mexico State Ethics Commission:
SANTA FE – Today Sen. Harold Pope introduced Senate Bill 248 to shine light on the spending and activities of lobbyists during the legislative session.
The bill is one of two which would require lobbyists to disclose which specific legislation they are working on and the source of funds used to influence legislators through meals, special events and other expenditures.
The other is House Bill 143, sponsored by Rep. Sarah Silva and Sen. Jeff Steinborn.
Both are supported by the New Mexico State Ethics Commission, which, in its work enforcing the existing Read More
New Mexico Lawmakers Proposing Education Funding Overhaul, Base Teacher Pay Bumps Get Thumbs Up From House Panel
The Roundhouse in Santa Fe. Post file photo
By Margaret O’Hara
The Santa Fe New Mexican
In education, money matters.
New Mexico lawmakers are proposing big changes to how the state funds its public education system — which represents the single largest piece of the budgetary pie.
House Bill 63 would make major changes to the state’s per-student funding formula — giving an extra boost to middle schools and high schools — while House Bill 156 would bump the base teacher pay by $5,000 at all three tiers of the teacher licensing system.
Both proposals received unanimous — albeit initial — approval Read More
Op-Ed: New Mexico Legislature Should Focus On Current Needs, Not Building Permanent Funds
By CARTER SWANSON
Policy Analyst
Rio Grande Foundation
More and more New Mexico chooses to stockpile money in permanent funds, rather than spend. The total value of these funds is currently a mind-blowing $58 billion. This means that the New Mexico State Investment Council has one of the largest sovereign wealth funds in the world (according to the Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute).
There are only two states, Texas and Alaska, that have larger funds. It is speculated that in the coming decades, revenue from these permanent funds will surpass revenue from oil and gas.
On its face this sounds like Read More
County Transportation Board To Meet Thursday Feb. 6, 2025
COUNTY News:
The Los Alamos County Transportation Board is scheduled to meet 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6 in Council Chambers.
Access the complete meeting packet here.
The meeting will be held in person and is open to the public. For convenience, members of the public may join or participate via the following Zoom meeting link or telephone call-in numbers.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 813 5706 0773
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81357060773
+13462487799,81357060773# US
Dial by your location
+1 720 707 2699 US Read More
Governor Backs Bill To Create Cannabis Enforcement Bureau Housed In State Licensing Department
Propagation technician Stacie Nichols trims the “mother” plants that define the genetic characteristics of cannabis strains at the Ultra Health cannabis production facility in Bernalillo in February 2024. The CEO of Ultra Health said his concern is House Bill 10 would, essentially, “create another group of people doing what law enforcement should already be doing.” Photo by Jim Weber/Santa Fe New Mexican
By CORMAC DODD
The Santa Fe New Mexican
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in New Mexico announced last week federal indictments of three people accused in a sprawling illegal cannabis cultivation Read More
DLGA Statement On DNC Chair Ken Martin
Ken Martin, Chair of the Democratic National Committee
DLGA News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Democratic Lieutenant Governors Association (DLGA) Chair Austin Davis and DLGA Vice Chair Kim Driscoll released the following statement on the DNC chair’s race:
“Congratulations to Ken Martin on being elected as the next Chair of the Democratic National Committee. Ken has led Minnesota’s Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party with tremendous success, and we look forward to his leadership as we navigate the next chapter of the Democratic Party.
“As Chair Martin has said, investing in the Democratic Read More
Capitol Staff Keeps Roundhouse Rolling During Session
Claudia Diaz, a custodial supervisor at the Capitol, does her rounds in the Walter K. Martinez Memorial Walkway last month. Diaz has worked in custodial services at the Roundhouse for 16 years and says she logs 25,000 steps a day during the legislative session to keep the building clean. Photo by Michael G. Seamans/The New Mexican
By DANIEL J. CHACÓN
The Santa Fe New Mexican
It takes a small army to keep the Roundhouse running like a well-oiled machine, particularly during a legislative session when thousands of people pile into the state Capitol.
While the spotlight tends to be on lawmakers and Read More
Hundreds Of Immigrants To March & Rally In Santa Fe Today
From Somos Acción:
SANTA FE—Today, Somos Acción and over a dozen organizations will host this year’s Immigrant and Workers’ Day of Action, a powerful day of advocacy, resistance and solidarity.
Hundreds will march and rally to honor immigrants’ invaluable contributions to New Mexico and demand stronger protections for immigrant workers and their families.
The event will include powerful immigrant speakers from across New Mexico. legislators, and the voices of community leaders and advocates. After the march and rally, participants will engage in lobby visits to support a host of pro-immigrant Read More
Robinson: Dems Snub Medical Malpractice Reform
By SHERRY ROBINSON
All She Wrote
© 2024 New Mexico News Services
Long before the legislative session started, a full-page ad accosted readers with this headline: “Medical corporations & insurance companies blame patients harmed by medical malpractice for the healthcare crisis so they can distract us from the billions of dollars in profit that go to their out-of-state corporate headquarters.”
Whoa! Nobody is blaming patients who are victims of medical malpractice. And, looking at New Mexico’s ragged hospital network, there’s more red ink than black ink.
The New Mexico Medical Society Read More
Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard Receives Luminaria Award For Bringing Land Office Into 21st Century
Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard
CVNM News:
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- “Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard has been a guiding light in bringing New Mexico’s trust lands into the 21st century.” –CVNM CEO Demis Foster
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SANTA FE – On Tuesday, Feb. 4, Conservation Voters New Mexico (CVNM) will present New Mexico’s Commissioner of Public Lands Stephanie Garcia Richards with its Luminaria Award. The annual award recognizes pro-conservation champions in New Mexico who lead the way to a better New Mexico for air, land, water, wildlife and communities.
In announcing the Award, CVNM CEO Demis Foster shared the following Read More
Fr. Glenn: Re(Presenting) Ourselves
By Fr. Glenn Jones:
Maybe you’ve caught some of the confirmation hearings for prospective (some now confirmed) members of President Trump’s cabinet. It’s the same every time when a new administration comes into office—the sidestepping of ticklish questions, and “gotcha” questions by adversaries on the various examining committees. But no doubt much of the public show is concerned with presentation on both sides … how they will appear to their constituencies, supporters and bosses so that their own particular target audiences will continue to support them.
Now, on February 2 of each year, Read More
Dannemann: A Harder Line On Teenage Criminals
By MERILEE DANNEMANN
Triple Spaced Again
We remember the murder of a five-year-old girl in 2023, shot in a drive-by incident that was motivated by a dispute between the shooter and another teenager. It still breaks our hearts. That is partly because the little girl, Galilea Samaniego, was an innocent child who was victimized by accident. But it also would have also been tragic if the shooter had murdered the teenage boy who was his intended target.
Another heartbreaking story – last year a gang of young men, older than teenage, murdered Froyland Villegas, age 11, who was on his way home from a ball Read More
Local At Large Chapter President To Attend National Federation Of The Blind Seminar In Washington, D.C.
By JANET MONTOYA
NFBNM At Large Chapter President
White Rock Resident
The Los Alamos, White Rock and surrounding communities have been greatly supportive of the fundraising activities hosted by the Bathtub Row Brewery for the National Federation of the Blind, (NFB).
The NFB was started in 1940 and is the transformative membership and advocacy organization of blind Americans.
Our belief message is this:
- The National Federation of the Blind advances the lives of its members and all blind people in the United States. We know that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future.
Schools, Teachers, Students Weigh In On Phone Lock Bill
Whitney Holland, president of New Mexico’s teachers union, gives testimony in support of Senate Bill 11 during a hearing at the state Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. Photo by Michael G. Seamans/The New Mexican
Sen. Crystal Brantley, R-Elephant Butte, presents Senate Bill 11, which discourages cellphones in classrooms, during a committee meeting at the Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. Photo by Michael G. Seamans/The New Mexican
By ANDRÉ SALKIN
The Santa Fe New Mexican
The education community, which has been grappling for years with the detriments of disruptive classroom phone use, Read More
Canceled: Feb. 4 County Council Regular Session
COUNTY News:
The Los Alamos County Council regular session scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 4 is canceled due to a light agenda.
The agenda for the Feb. 11 meeting is expected to be published the Friday before and will be available to view at losalamos.legistar.com.
For more information on the County Council, visit the County Council web page or call the County Manager’s office at 505.663.1750. Read More
