Secretary Of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver Highlights Passage Of Priority Election Bills In 2024 Legislative Session
Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver
From the Office of the Secretary of State:
SANTA FE — The 2024 New Mexico legislative session saw the passage of multiple bills that add stability, transparency, and safety to New Mexico’s elections. Notably, the legislature passed much needed funding for the state’s Election Fund; a bill that requires disclosures for campaign materials created with artificial intelligence; and a bill to restrict the carrying of firearms at polling places.
“I commend the successful passage of these bills during the 2024 New Mexico legislative session, as each one Read More
LAPS Notice Of Possible Quorum: Congressional Record Certificate Presentation Feb. 20
LAPS News:
Members of the Los Alamos Public Schools (LAPS) Board of Education may attend the event being held 1:15-2:45 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 20 at Los Alamos High School.
U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez will be presenting the Congressional Record Certificate to recognize Los Alamos High School for being named College Board Small District of the Year for 2023.
A quorum may be present; however, no action will be taken. Read More
Governor Mulls Special Session To Tackle Public Safety Priorities
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, with Lt. Gov Howie Morales, left, and House Speaker Javier Martínez, (D-Albuquerque), speaks Thursday at a news conference after the conclusion of the legislative session. Courtesy/Daniel J. Chacón/The New Mexican
By DANIEL J. CHACÓN
The Santa Fe New Mexican
Frustrated with the Legislature’s lack of progress on her public safety priorities during the 30-day session, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said Thursday she is considering calling lawmakers back to Santa Fe for a special session.
“Both houses are well aware that I’m frustrated” by how few public safety Read More
Official Call For Democratic Party Preprimary Convention
DPNM NEWS:
To all County Party Chairs and Vice Chairs, SCC Members and New Mexico Democrats,
This is the official amended Call for the DPNM 2024 Pre-Primary Election Nominating Convention.
As stated in Article II, Rule 4.1.1 in the DPNM Rules, the Call shall be issued at least 60 days prior to the date of the convention.
The 2024 Pre-Primary Election Nominating convention shall be held virtually Saturday, March 9, 2024.
Required Business of the Pre-Primary Convention
We are required to hold the Pre-Primary Convention per state law and DPNM Rules. At the convention, delegates from all New Mexico Read More
CVNM: New Mexico Legislature Secures Once-In-A-Generation Climate And Conservation Funding
CVNM News:
SANTA FE — This year, the New Mexico Legislature passed a $10.2 billion budget including the most significant environmental investments in state history.
More than $400 million was allocated to once-in-a-generation climate and conservation programs in the state’s budget bill, House Bill 2.
This includes:
- $300 million for the Land of Enchantment Legacy Permanent Fund;
- $75 million for the New Mexico Match Fund; and
- $7 million to the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) to begin building a state-level surface water permitting program.
“Each legislative session is unique, Read More
How Notable Legislation Fared In 2024 Session
The Santa Fe New Mexican:
The New Mexico Legislature packed its 2024 session with hundreds of measures addressing a wide range of topics, from public safety to affordable housing to cloud seeding.
Most of the bills introduced in the 30-day session failed to clear both the House and Senate, including a high-profile program to cover workers’ wages for up to 12 weeks of leave due to a medical condition or to care for a new baby or a loved one with an illness.
The House voted 36-34 against Senate Bill 3, the Family and Medical Leave Act, less than 24 hours before the session ended. The bill’s Read More
Simonich: Smokey Got In Their Eyes
By MILAN SIMONICH
The Santa Fe New Mexican
Those dedicated members of the New Mexico Legislature somehow found time for the late, legendary Smokey Bear.
With more than a dozen weighty bills on the agenda and less than a day remaining in the legislative session, Speaker Javier Martínez called House Bill 251 for consideration. The measure would authorize a state license plate featuring Smokey Bear.
Many of New Mexico’s 112 senators and representatives spoke throughout wintertime about modernizing government. But when given that chance, the House fell back on an old standby — debating the worth Read More
Republicans ‘Flexed Some Muscle’ During Session
By ROBERT NOTT
The Santa Fe New Mexican
Republicans, heavily outnumbered in the New Mexico Legislature, managed to win some victories in this year’s 30-day session.
Speaking at a news conference just minutes after the session ended at noon Thursday, Rep. Ryan Lane, R-Aztec, said his party played a role in passing what he called “meaningful” public education measures and did its best to kill bills that did not have the support of the GOP caucus.
The “big resounding win on the House floor” for Republicans, Lane said, was the narrow 36-34 vote against a proposed paid family and medical leave program, Read More
Legislature Approves Much Of Governor’s Agenda
From the Office of the Governor:
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SANTA FE – The New Mexico Legislature adjourned its 30-day session at noon today having passed much of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s legislative agenda. However, the governor is seriously considering a special session to press for additional public safety protections that New Mexicans demand.
Lawmakers approved a $10.2 billion budget for FY 2025, a 6.8 % increase over current-year state spending. The Legislature passed a total of 72 bills, 48 of which were proposed or supported by Read More
DOE Announces More Than $17 Million For Three Projects As Part Of Biden’s Investing In America Agenda
U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm
DOE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — As part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced today more than $17 million for three projects that will support the design and construction of facilities that produce rare earth elements and other critical minerals and materials from coal-based resources.
The projects, funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, may strengthen domestic supply chains, helping to meet the growing demand for critical minerals and materials and reduce reliance on unreliable Read More
Michael Redondo To Run For Los Alamos County Clerk
Michael Redondo has announced his candidacy for County Clerk. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
By CAROL A. CLARK
Los Alamos Daily Post
caclark@ladailypost.com
Continuing his life of service, former Los Alamos County Probate Judge Michael D. Redondo has announced his intention to run for Los Alamos County Clerk. Clerk Naomi Maestas term limits out Dec. 31, 2024, after serving two consecutive 4-year terms.
Redondo stepped down from his judgeship Feb. 2, 2024, to allow the person appointed to fill that vacancy the opportunity to participate in annual training offered in early February. Read More
Council Votes Down Proposed Minimum Wage Increase
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
The motion to implement an incremental minimum wage increase in the County failed by a narrow margin during the Feb. 6 Los Alamos County Council meeting.
The motion failed 4-3 with Council Chair Denise Derkacs, Councilors Randall Ryti and Suzy Havemann voting in favor and Council Vice Chair Theresa Cull and Councilors David Reagor, Keith Lepsch and Melanee Hand voting against.
Ryti made the motion, amending the published ordinance, to implement an annual $1 per hour increase to the minimum wage, which is $12 per hour, for the Read More
DPS Secretary Bowie Urges Lawmakers To Pass Crucial Public Safety Bills In Final Hours Of Session
DPS News:
SANTA FE — Department of Public Safety Secretary Jason R. Bowie Tuesday issued a statement advocating New Mexico lawmakers pass crucial public safety bills in final hours of session.
“Law enforcement officers risk their lives every day while working to keep New Mexicans safe. Violent crime statistics in New Mexico make it clear that officers need more tools to protect themselves and the communities they serve. Sadly, the Legislature has, so far, failed to act – or even hold hearings – on most of Gov. Lujan Grisham’s common-sense proposals to provide such tools. This is unacceptable. Read More
Capital Outlay Clears Both Chambers; Senators Worry About Unfinished Projects
By GABRIELLE PORTER and NATHAN BROWN
The Santa Fe New Mexican
New sewer lines and government buildings, water plant improvements and road projects are part of the Legislature’s $1.4 billion capital outlay package this year.
Senate Bill 275 first passed the Senate on Wednesday morning, along with a second bill authorizing extensions on funding approved in recent years for projects that have since been delayed. Both bills then passed the House unanimously and with little debate Wednesday evening.
The lengthy list of more than 1,400 new projects this year includes about $406 million Read More
Public Safety Bills Clear Committee, More Urgent Action Needed
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham
From the Office of the Governor:
SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham issued a statement following the rapid movement of three critical public safety bills through the Senate Judiciary Committee:
“The Senate Judiciary Committee today approved three more critically important bills contained in my historic plan to enhance public safety in New Mexico. I urge both chambers to quickly approve these bills and send them to my desk. We still have much work to do with less than 48 hours left to go in the session. I implore lawmakers to respond to the urgent demands of New Mexicans Read More
Canceled: LWV Lunch With A Leader Talk Today
Due to illness, today’s League of Women Voters of Los Alamos “Lunch with a Leader” is canceled.
LWV News:
The League of Women Voters of Los Alamos (LWV) monthly “Lunch with a Leader” is noon to 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15 at the Unitarian Church.
This month’s leader is Executive Director Rachel Mohr-Richards of the Juvenile Justice Advisory Board (JJAB). JJAB is a nonprofit organization that funds 15 programs for youth and their families in Los Alamos.
Mohr-Richards was born and raised in Jackson, Mich., where she met her husband Andrew. The couple moved to New Mexico in 2014 and have two children, Read More
Lawmakers Send Governor Few Victories On Guns And Crime
Sen. Joe Cervantes, D-Las Cruces
By ROBERT NOTT and GABRIELLE PORTER
The Santa Fe New Mexican
The House of Representatives nearly blasted two “tough-on-crime” bills across the finish line and up to the governor’s desk on the fourth floor of the Roundhouse on Wednesday evening, less than 18 hours from the legislative session’s end.
One of the measures — Senate Bill 96, increasing the penalty for second-degree murder — was on a list of 21 high-priority public safety initiatives Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham unveiled days before the session began. They ranged from prohibiting panhandling to cutting Read More
Omnibus Tax Package That Restructures Income Tax Brackets Heads To Governor
By NATHAN BROWN and ROBERT NOTT
The Santa Fe New Mexican
An omnibus tax package that would cut income tax rates for most New Mexicans is headed to the governor’s desk.
The House of Representatives, in a 37-29 concurrence vote late Tuesday night, approved changes to House Bill 252 made in the Senate. The measure, which includes an extensive list of changes to the state’s tax system, would cost an estimated $217 million in fiscal year 2025.
HB 252 overhauls the state’s tax brackets, offering the most significant rate cuts to the lowest-income earners. It also establishes a range of tax credits Read More
Paid Family And Medical Leave Narrowly Fails House Vote
Rep. Tara Lujan, D-Santa Fe, reacts after the Paid Family and Medical Leave Act failed to pass the house Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024. Photo by Luis Sánchez Saturno/The New Mexican
Rep. Christine Chandler, D-Los Alamos, one of the sponsors of the Paid Family and Medical Leave Act, speaks on behalf of her bill on the House Floor Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024. Photo by Luis Sánchez Saturno/The New Mexican
By ROBERT NOTT
The Santa Fe New Mexican
Advocates for a state-run paid family leave program came closer than ever this year to getting something passed in the Legislature, but at the end of the day they were Read More
Roundhouse Roundup: Time Remaining In Session – 6 Hours
Roundhouse Roundup
The Santa Fe New Mexican
Mooning over a moose: He’s been spotted at Ski Santa Fe and wandering the banks of the Rio Grande near Española and Abiquíu: Marty the Moose, the four-legged loner who prefers New Mexico to points north and elsewhere. He has generated news coverage, inspired a children’s book and starred in a number of videos chronicling his journeys around the state.
On Wednesday the House of Representatives approved a certificate deeming Marty the most “eligible bachelor” for Valentine’s Day — an initiative that led to moose jesting and the like. House Speaker Javier Read More
