Sophomore Lawmaker Files Bill Proposing Dramatic Rewrite Of New Mexico Inspection Of Public Records Act
Rep. Kathleen Cate
By PHAEDRA HAYWOOD
The Santa Fe New Mexican
A sophomore lawmaker has filed a bill proposing a dramatic rewrite of New Mexico’s public records law that critics warn would have an alarming effect on government transparency and accountability.
The measure would create dozens of new exemptions to the Inspection of Public Records Act, giving state and local government agencies broader authority to refuse to provide requested records.
Rep. Kathleen Cate, D-Rio Rancho, said she doesn’t expect the measure to become law but wanted to start a discussion.
“IPRA is not broken, but Read More
County To Host Second Public Input Meeting On N.M. 4 Crossing And Multi-Use Trail Improvement Project
Map of the N.M. 4 Crossing and Multi-use Trail Improvement Project. Courtesy/LAC
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos County Public Works Department invites the public to attend a second public input meeting regarding the upcoming N.M. 4 Crossing and Multi-Use Trail Improvement Project. The meeting is 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6 in Council Chambers at the Municipal Building, 1000 Central Ave. The Zoom link for virtual attendance is https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81357060773.
Those unable to attend the public meeting but wish to submit comments may do so by Feb. 4 at lacpw@lacnm.us.
This project includes Read More
U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich And Tim Sheehy Introduce Bipartisan Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act
From the Office of U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich:
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) introduced the bipartisan Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act of 2025 to strengthen the aerial wildfire suppression fleet and better combat the year-round threat of catastrophic wildfire.
“I have worked for years to expand the operations of Very Large Air Tankers that have proven absolutely essential to firefighters battling large wildfires in New Mexico, Los Angeles, and across the West. This includes securing more than $15 million to upgrade the Cibola National Read More
BLM & USDA Forest Service Announce 2025 Grazing Fees
BLM News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The federal grazing fee for 2025 remains $1.35 per animal unit month for public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management and $1.35 per head month for lands managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service.
An animal unit month or head month — treated as equivalent measures for fee purposes — is the use of public lands by one cow and her calf, one horse, or five sheep or goats for a month. The newly calculated grazing fee takes effect March 1, 2025. The fee will apply to nearly 18,000 grazing permits and leases administered by BLM and nearly 6,250 permits Read More
Legislative Roundup: 50 Days Remaining In Session
By Santa Fe New Mexican staff
Committee OKs anti-hazing bill: A bill to curb the practice of hazing in New Mexico schools cleared its first hurdle Friday.
Senate Bill 10, sponsored by Sen. Harold Pope, D-Albuquerque, and Rep. Pamelya Herndon, D-Albuquerque, would make hazing and a school employee’s failure to report incidents of it misdemeanor offenses. The bill would also implement several hazing prevention measures in colleges and universities.
The bill faced a brief stall after first being heard in the Senate Education Committee on Wednesday, with opponents and lawmakers making the Read More
New Mexico House Bill That Aims To Keep Children Away From Internet Porn Raises Privacy Concerns
Republican State Rep. John Block
By CORMAC DODD
The Santa Fe New Mexican
A bill that purports to protect children from accessing online pornography drew some criticism Friday from lawmakers and others who contend it could block adults from such material and might put personal data at risk by requiring website users to provide identification or credit card information.
Republican state Rep. John Block of Alamogordo introduced House Bill 44, dubbed the “Protection of Minors from Distribution of Harmful Materials Act,” before the House Commerce and Economic Development Committee.
“It’s Read More
New Mexico Senate Republicans Set Up Immigration Tip Line To Report Undocumented Violent Criminals
The Roundhouse in Santa Fe. Post file photo
By DANIEL J. CHACÓN
The Santa Fe New Mexican
Senate Republicans have set up an email tip line that allows New Mexicans to snitch on violent undocumented immigrants hiding from the law in their communities.
“We’re looking at the safety and welfare of everybody in the state, and that would include getting rid of the violent cartels — and I think on a federal level, that’s what we’re focused on,” Senate Minority Leader Bill Sharer said Friday on the Senate floor while announcing the new tip line.
The announcement raised some concerns for a Senate Democrat, Read More
LARSO Could Be Effected By Freeze In Federal Funding
Staff Report
Any recipient of federal grants and loans – nationwide – is feeling the impact of the Trump Administration’s freeze on federal funds that was issued Monday. It’s a bit unclear whether the freeze is still in place but if it is, recipients include numerous nonprofits such as local Senior Activity Centers.
Los Alamos Retired and Senior Organization (LARSO) receives federal funding from the Older Americans Act (OAA).
Funding includes:
- Day out: $7,426.64;
- Congregate Meals: $13,737.23; and
- Home Delivered Meals: $9,017.23.
- Total: $30,181.10
LARSO Executive Director Jacci Gruninger Read More
Luján Named Ranking Member Of Agriculture Subcommittee On Nutrition And Specialty Crops
STATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) was named Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry’s Subcommittee on Food and Nutrition, Specialty Crops, Organics, and Research for the 119th Congress. Luján will serve alongside Subcommittee Chairman U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.).
“Across New Mexico and the nation, federal nutrition assistance programs help feed our families and children, while our specialty crop growers put high-quality, nutritious produce for our tables,” Luján said. “I am honored to have been Read More
Legislative Roundup: 51 Days Remaining In Session
New Mexico State Capitol in Santa Fe. Courtesy photo
The Santa Fe New Mexican:
Surface water bills move forward: A pair of water bills were approved along party lines by the Senate Conservation Committee on Thursday morning.
With Senate Bill 21, the state Environment Department is seeking to take over an Environmental Protection Agency permitting system for pollutants discharged into surface water. New Mexico is one of just a few states that does not administer its own program.
Senate Bill 22 intends to “fill in the gap” left by the 2023 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Sackett v. EPA by providing Read More
Bi-Partisan Group Of Legislators Introduce Legislation To Create A Medical Psilocybin Program In New Mexico
NMDP News:
SANTA FE — Jan. 30, a bi-partisan bi-cameral group of legislators have introduced legislation, Senate Bill 219, establishing a program to allow New Mexicans to receive medical treatments from psilocybin mushrooms for qualified medical conditions.
The “Medical Psilocybin Act” lays the path for mental and behavioral health treatment for New Mexicans suffering from major treatment-resistant depression, post traumatic stress disorder, substance use disorders; end-of-life care; and other conditions approved by the Department of Health. The act establishes a Medical Psilocybin Read More
Luján Meets With Hermit’s Peak Fire Victims To Address Unsettled Claims And Push For Urgent Improvements
U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Jan. 30, U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) convened a meeting with claimants who have unsettled total loss claims from the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire and Claims Office Director Jay Mitchell. The meeting provided an opportunity for claimants to share their concerns about the process and allow Director Mitchell to provide a direct update on the progress of claims.
“I am thankful to all of the total loss victims who joined us today to tell their devastating stories. Each one of your stories is unique, and we need to hear them. What has become Read More
Amid ‘Deep Division In Our Nation,’ Stansbury, Vasquez Call For Bipartisanship In New Mexico
U.S. Reps. Melanie Stansbury (left), and Gabe Vasquez, right, get a warm welcome from fellow Democrats as they enter the state House chamber to address a joint session of the Legislature Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025. Photo by Jim Weber/The New Mexican
U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez (right), gets a warm welcome from fellow Democrats as he steps up to the podium to address a joint session of the Legislature Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025. Photo by Jim Weber/The New Mexican
By DANIEL J. CHACÓN
The Santa Fe New Mexican
U.S. Reps. Melanie Stansbury and Gabe Vasquez praised themselves and the Legislature while bemoaning Read More
Bill Poses New Threat In Predatory Lending
By MILAN SIMONICH
The Santa Fe New Mexican
Storefront lenders howled when the New Mexico Legislature finally outlawed their 175% annual interest rates.
The lenders claimed they’d provided a public service. Mostly they saddled desperate customers with crushing debt.
The smokescreens from industry lobbyists didn’t survive in a land of pink-and-orange sunrises. Storefront lenders across New Mexico are still in business 13 months after lawmakers capped rates for small loans at 36%.
The lower figure still sounds oppressive, but at least the years of state politicians abetting Read More
Luján, Wyden, Finance Democrats Press RFK Jr. To Reject Big Pharma Pause On Medicare Negotiation
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), and all Democratic members of the Senate Committee on Finance sent a letter to Robert F. Kennedy Jr. pressing him to answer nearly a dozen questions regarding his views on Medicare drug price negotiation and confirm he will not pause negotiations, as CEOs representing the largest pharmaceutical companies have requested.
“As a result of the Inflation Reduction Act, which passed without a single Republican vote, Medicare drug price negotiation is a powerful tool Read More
Gun Bills Advance From House Committee
Rep. Joy Garratt, D-Albuquerque, talks with law enforcement officials Thursday at the Capitol before speaking to the House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee about House Bill 31, a proposal to recategorize shooting threats as a fourth-degree felony. Photo by Jim Weber/The New Mexican
Rep. Stefani Lord, R-Sandia Park, asks questions Thursday at the Capitol during the House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee about House Bill 31, a proposal to recategorize shooting threats as a fourth-degree felony. Photo by Jim Weber/The New Mexican
By MARGARET O’HARA
The Santa Fe New Mexican Read More
Video: Council Chair Cull Shares Jan. 28 Meeting Highlights
Los Alamos County Council Chair Theresa Cull gives a briefing on Tuesday’s council meeting. Video by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com Read More
State Broadband Office Urges Lawmakers To OK Funding
Acting Director Drew Lovelace
OBAE News:
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- Legislative proposals expand broadband access; complete major infrastructure projects
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SANTA FE – The Office of Broadband Access and Expansion (OBAE) will present two key proposals Friday to the New Mexico House Appropriations and Finance Committee, seeking approval for initiatives that would connect nearly 100,000 locations and ensure the completion of essential broadband projects.
OBAE Acting Director Drew Lovelace will testify before the Committee on two vital initiatives.
“These proposals are key to bridging the digital divide in our Read More
Gary Goddard Embraces Los Alamos Airport Manager Post
Los Alamos County Airport Manager Gary Goddard. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
Gary Goddard was ready for a change. After 14 years working as a controls engineer at Los Alamos National Laboratory, he said it was time to do something different, which motivated him to apply to be the Los Alamos Airport Manager.
Goddard got the job in September. He said he is pleased with his decision.
“It’s been really nice here,” Goddard said. “The County has been super supportive.”
Goddard has not wasted time; he has formulated a plan Read More
Heinrich, Cassidy, Grassley Introduce Bipartisan Halt All Lethal Trafficking Of Fentanyl Act
From the Office of U.S. Sen. Heinrich:
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- Bipartisan legislation would permanently place fentanyl-related substances into Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, helping law enforcement combat fentanyl trafficking, while advancing scientific and medical research
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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) introduced the bipartisan Halt All Lethal Trafficking of (HALT) Fentanyl Act to permanently classify fentanyl-related substances (FRS) as Schedule I drugs under the Controlled Substances Act.
This Read More
