Advocates Laud Plan For $1 Billion Trust Fund To Boost New Mexico’s Behavioral Health System
State Sen. George Muñoz arrives at the Senate Health and Public Affairs Committee for a hearing on a key behavioral health bill at the state Capitol Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. Photo by Michael G. Seamans/The New Mexican
By MARGARET O’HARA
The Santa Fe New Mexican
A committee hearing room at the state Capitol was spotted with white coats Wednesday afternoon.
Even Sen. Martin Hickey, an Albuquerque Democrat and the only doctor in the Legislature, wore his white coat in his seat on the rostrum.
Doctors — and many other advocates — packed the meeting room as the Senate Health and Public Affairs Committee Read More
CASA Volunteers Call For More Funding From Legislature
Elizabeth Eppley, executive assistant at CASA First, stands with colleagues during a news conference in the Rotunda of the state Capitol to call for more funding for their program on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. Photo by Michael G. Seamans/The New Mexican
Robert Mesa, a court-appointed special advocate, or CASA, stands with colleagues as they hold a news conference in the Rotunda of the state Capitol to call for more funding for their program Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. Photo by Michael G. Seamans/The New Mexican
By ESTEBAN CANDELARIA
The Santa Fe New Mexican
Volunteers assigned to be the voices Read More
Legislative Roundup: 52 Days Remaining In Session
Fernanda Rivas has her picture taken with Don Quioto, the New Mexico PBS mascot in the halls of the state Capitol Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. Photo by Michael G. Seamans/The New Mexican
Sen. Leo Jaramillo, D-Española, holds a University of New Mexico Lobos cheerleading horn on the floor of the Senate at the state Capitol Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. Wednesday was University of New Mexico Day. Photo by Michael G. Seamans/The New Mexican
The Santa Fe New Mexican:
Resolutions changing legislative schedules, processes get green light: Two bills that would shake up New Mexico’s legislative process Read More
Former Lawmaker Nibert Confirmed By Senate For PRC
By NICHOLAS GILMORE
The Santa Fe New Mexican
State senators heaped praise upon former legislator Greg Nibert before voting Wednesday afternoon to confirm his appointment to the state Public Regulation Commission.
“He’s smart, he’s kind, he’s thoughtful,” Senate President Pro Tem Mimi Stewart, D-Albuquerque, said on the Senate floor. “He thinks deeply, and he gives very thoughtful answers to your questions.”
“We also all agreed that the PRC really needed an attorney, and we were very happy that they’re getting an attorney that’s had experience in both the House and the Read More
Lawmakers Weigh Dueling Anti-Hazing Bills
Sen. Bill Soules, D-Las Cruces, talks to Sen. Harold Pope, D-Albuquerque, during a discussion of Pope’s anti-hazing bill at the state Capitol Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. Photo by Michael G. Seamans/The New Mexican
Sen. Harold Pope, D-Albuquerque, presents an anti-hazing bill to the Senate Education Committee Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. Photo by Michael G. Seamans/The New Mexican
By ESTEBAN CANDELARIA
The Santa Fe New Mexican
Two bills’ battle for the title of New Mexico’s Anti-Hazing Act is underway.
Three Albuquerque lawmakers have introduced two similar pieces of legislation aimed at cracking Read More
First Wave Of Crime Bills Get Hearing But No Vote
Committee Chair Sen. Joe Cervantes
By DANIEL J. CHACÓN
The Santa Fe New Mexican
The Senate Judiciary Committee pored over the first in a series of crime bills the Legislature will consider during the 60-day session but didn’t vote on any of them Wednesday.
The committee chair, Sen. Joe Cervantes, D-Las Cruces, said lawmakers may try to roll several crime bills into one public safety package that will be voted on as a whole.
“We want to do the work of hearing the bills, engage in the committee in debate, taking care of all the public hearing components of a bill but then waiting on a vote until we Read More
Senate Bill 88 Introduced To Create $2 Billion Medicaid Trust Fund
From Think New Mexico:
Senate Bill 88 has been introduced to establish a $2 billion permanent trust fund for Medicaid. The bill is sponsored by Senate Finance Committee Chair George Muñoz (D-Gallup); Senate Minority Leader Bill Sharer (R-Farmington); and Senate Minority Whip Pat Woods (R- Curry, Harding, Quay & Union counties).
The bill is supported by the nonpartisan think tank Think New Mexico, which proposed a similar fund in its recent report, How to Solve New Mexico’s Health Care Worker Shortage.
Since 1973, New Mexico legislators have created a dozen permanent funds to provide Read More
Leger Fernández, House & Senate Colleagues Demand A Stop To ICE Harassment Of Native American Citizens
U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández
STATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Jan. 29, Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández, Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Committee Bennie Thompson, Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Committee Jared Huffman, Congressman Raúl Grijalva, Congressman Melanie Stansbury, Congressman Gabe Vasquez, Congresswoman Yassamin Ansari and Senators Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Lujan sent a letter to President Donald Trump demanding immediate action to address reports of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents harassing, detaining, and Read More
Governor Lujan Grisham Announces 26 Additional Rural Health Care Delivery Fund Recipients
STATE News:
SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced that 26 additional rural health care providers will receive a combined $40.6 million from the Rural Health Care Delivery Fund, part of the $46 million allocated during the 2024 legislative session.
Last fall, $5.4 million was awarded to four rural health care organizations that demonstrated their ability to immediately implement services.
“Every New Mexican deserves access to quality health care close to home,” Gov. Lujan Grisham said. “My administration is committed to supporting and strengthening the health care provider Read More
Heinrich Delivers Remarks On The Senate Floor Slamming Trump’s Unlawful Federal Funding Blockade
Courtesy photo
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) took to the Senate floor this evening to condemn President Trump’s unlawful unilateral blockade of all federal grant funding. In his remarks, Heinrich underscored the magnitude of damage this unlawful decision has already wrought on the lives of thousands of New Mexicans, highlighting the harm and chaos it has created in communities across the state.
Heinrich also pointed to the illegality of this action, citing the law that Congress passed — the Impoundment Control Act of 1974 — after President Richard Read More
House Panel Approves Changes To ‘Red Flag’ Gun Law
By MARGARET O’HARA
The Santa Fe New Mexican
After nearly four decades in law enforcement, Angel Fire police Chief Jerry Hogrefe has come to a conclusion.
“I think we can all agree certain people should not have firearms or have access to firearms,” he said before the state House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee. “That’s why I’m here to support this initiative.”
On Tuesday, that committee voted to advance House Bill 11, a measure making changes to the so-called “red flag” gun law state lawmakers passed several years ago.
New Read More
Legislative Roundup: 53 Days Remaining In Session
Nina Klimenko, center, alongside a group of National Dance Institute of New Mexico dancers, wave their arms in the air while practicing their routine on the House floor before they performed for the House of Representatives and Senate at the state Capitol Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025. Photo by Gabriela Campos/The New Mexican
The Santa Fe New Mexican:
Criminal competency bill moves forward: House Bill 4, a piece of legislation aimed at reforming the state’s system for criminal commitment, earned initial approval from the House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee in a unanimous vote Tuesday night. Read More
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham Defends Record On Crime In New Mexico As She Pushes Public Safety Bills
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham speaks with Rep. Christine Chandler, D-Los Alamos, following a news conference to discuss public safety held at the state Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025. Photo by Gabriela Campos/The New Mexican
Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman speaks to the group gathered at a news conference held at the state Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025. ‘However, I want to make this as clear as possible, violent juvenile crime is out of control,’ said Bregman, who is advocating for legal changes to crack down on youthful offenders. Photo by Gabriela Campos/The New Mexican Read More
Salute To Rep. Christine Chandler For Developing And Sponsoring HB11 – Paid Family Medical Leave Act
By BILL WADT
Los Alamos
We are so fortunate to have Christine Chandler represent us in the NM House. Her combination of compassionate, incisive thinking with extensive legal knowledge and experience as a County Councilor and State Representative makes her an ideal chair of the House Judiciary Committee as they consider legislation to improve public safety.
Chris looks at the big picture and long-term consequences of legislation. Research has repeatedly shown that investment in early childhood and enabling positive social-emotional relationships between primary caregivers and children Read More
2025 Governor’s Awards For Excellence In The Arts Issues Call For Nominations
New Mexico Arts Commission News:
The New Mexico Arts Commission and the New Mexico Arts Division announce a call for nominations for the 2025 Governor’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts.
Nominations are accepted from interested individuals and art organizations statewide culminating in an exhibition and awards ceremony each year when the Governor acknowledges the extraordinary achievements and contributions of New Mexican artists, arts organizations, and arts supporters.
Nominations are only open to organizations and living artists in New Mexico and self-nominations and nominations Read More
Senate Bill 176 Introduced To Reform Medical Malpractice Law To Center Patient Needs And Safety In New Mexico
From Think New Mexico:
Senate Bill 176 has been introduced by Senator Martin Hickey (D-Albuquerque and the only doctor in the legislature) and Senate Minority Whip Pat Woods (R-Curry, Harding, Quay & Union Counties).
The bill would reform New Mexico’s medical malpractice system by:
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- capping attorney’s fees in medical malpractice attorney lawsuits;
- ending lump-sum payouts from the Patient Compensation Fund (PCF); and
- sending 75% of any punitive damages awarded in a medical malpractice cases to a new public fund designed to improve patient safety.
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The bill was drafted by the nonpartisan Read More
Bill To Rename New Mexico Game & Fish Dept. Snags OK
The Roundhouse in Santa Fe. Post file photo
By DANIEL J. CHACÓN
The Santa Fe New Mexican
Whether you shoot with a camera or a gun, anyone who enjoys the outdoors in New Mexico will want to pay attention to Senate Bill 5 during the 60-day legislative session.
The bill, which cleared its first legislative committee Monday, represents the biggest proposed reform of the New Mexico Game and Fish Department since its inception, from renaming it the Department of Wildlife and expanding its mission to reflect its new name to raising fees for hunting and fishing licenses for the first time in nearly two decades. Read More
Stansbury Introduces WaterSMART Access For Tribes Act
U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury
STATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury (N.M.-01), a member of the House Natural Resources Committee, reintroduced the WaterSMART Access for Tribes Act as her first piece of legislation of the 119th Congress.
Watch the bill introduction here.
The Senate lead is Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM). Original co-sponsors include Rep. Jared Huffman (CA-02), Ranking Member House Natural Resources Committee, House Assistant Minority Leader Rep. Joe Neguse (CO-02), Rep. Jim Costa (CA-21), Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Rep. Sharice Davids (KS-03), Read More
Santa Fe Farmers’ Market Institute Invites Lawmakers To Event Showcasing Food Programs
By MARGARET O’HARA
The Santa Fe New Mexican
Manny Encinias is hoping to help lawmakers “connect the dots.”
The executive director of the Santa Fe Farmers’ Market Institute and a rancher himself, Encinias said recent changes in agricultural policy — namely, the advent of the New Mexico Grown program — have been a “game-changer” for farmers and ranchers, and he wants to show off the positive change to New Mexico lawmakers while they’re in town for this year’s legislative session.
The Farmers’ Market Institute, in partnership with the Read More
Fight For Paid Family And Medical Leave Notches Early Victory In Return To The Roundhouse
Courtesy photo
By MARGARET O’HARA
The Santa Fe New Mexican
State Rep. Jenifer Jones has examined paid family and medical leave from many angles.
As a mother to seven children, she saved up every hour of paid time off to be at home with her kids, the Deming Republican told members of the House Health and Human Services Committee on Monday.
As an oncology nurse, she witnessed what families faced as they searched for time to care for sick loved ones.
And as a wife and daughter-in-law, she took unpaid time off to care for her late husband and mother-in-law during their cancer treatments.
“I Read More
