Proposed Tax Credit Seen As Vital For Electric Car Transition
An electric car charges in May 2023 in the parking lot at the Public Employee Retirement Association Building in Santa Fe. Luis Sánchez Saturno/New Mexican file photo
By SCOTT WYLAND
The Santa Fe New Mexican
A proposed tax credit designed to make electric vehicles more affordable and give a jolt to what advocates call New Mexico’s clean car transition is heading toward a critical juncture in this year’s legislative session.
The EV credit will be part of the legislative tax package, which the House Taxation and Revenue Committee is expected to review this week. Members can vote to modify it, Read More
Roundhouse Roundup: Days Remaining In Session – 11
Roundhouse Roundup
The Santa Fe New Mexican
Clean fuel standards advance after lengthy debate: A bill aiming to reduce vehicle pollution narrowly passed the state House of Representatives on Saturday afternoon.
After three hours of debate, House Bill 41 passed 36-33. Eight rural Democrats joined the Republicans in opposition.
The bill seeks to establish clean transportation fuel standards and reduce “carbon intensity” levels of transportation fuels in New Mexico by requiring producers of high-carbon transportation fuels like oil to either reduce how much they pollute or buy clean-fuel Read More
Gun Owners Rally At Capitol To Oppose Gun Control Bills
State Rep. Stefani Lord, R-Sandia Park, addresses the crowd during a pro-gun rights rally outside the state Capitol on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024. Photo by Luis Sánchez Saturno/The New Mexican
A man holding a 300 Blackout AR-15 rifle, left, and Danny Harkins, of Middle Mesa, N.M., listen to Rep. John Block, R-Alamogordo, while he addresses the crowd during a pro-gun rights rally outside the state Capitol on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024. Photo by Luis Sánchez Saturno/The New Mexican
By MAYA HILTY
The Santa Fe New Mexican
A strong sentiment among people rallying outside of the Roundhouse Saturday morning Read More
County Board Of Public Utilities Work Session Feb. 7
COUNTY News:
The Board of Public Utilities will hold a work session Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024 in Council Chambers.
Members of the public may view proceedings online or attend and provide public comment in person or via Zoom – https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89412512522.
The agenda is attached, and the complete packet is available online – https://losalamos.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx. Read More
Op-Ed: Where Are Our Spiritual And Community Leaders?
By KELLY MYERS
EMMA ABATA
Los Alamos
We write with heavy hearts from Los Alamos, a place with an extraordinary history that is currently confronted with a disturbing present. For the past 16 weeks, a small group of us have stood on the streets of our town, voices raised against the heartbreaking events unfolding in Palestine. Our peaceful protests have sometimes been met with hostility and derogatory slurs, although we also sense a growing approval for our cause to see an immediate cease-fire, as well as a long-term peaceful solution for all the people in Palestine.
Having both grown up and been Read More
New Mexico Lawmakers Begin To Craft Tax Package Early To Avert Last-Minute Chaos
Rep. Derrick Lente
By DANIEL J. CHACON
The Santa Fe New Mexican
After rushing to develop a massive tax package last year that was then largely gutted by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, lawmakers from both chambers of the Legislature met Friday to get an early start and avert a hasty repeat.
“We’re super excited to host this type of forum and meeting of minds to hopefully avoid what happened last year,” Rep. Derrick Lente, a Sandia Pueblo Democrat who chairs the tax committee in the House, said at the beginning of a joint meeting with members of the Senate tax committee.
“It’s anticipated that if we can Read More
Committee Votes To Send Paid Leave To Full Senate
BY NATHAN Brown
The Santa Fe New Mexican
A paid family and medical leave bill is a step closer to becoming law in New Mexico.
Senate Bill 3, which would create a program funded by contributions from all workers and larger employers to give employees up to 12 weeks of paid leave, passed out of the Senate Finance Committee on a 6-5 vote Saturday morning. Committee Chairman Sen. George Muñoz, D-Gallup, joined the panel’s four Republicans to vote against the bill and sided with them on a couple of procedural votes beforehand meant to block the proposal.
The bill, whose sponsors include Senate President Read More
House Passes Seven-Day Waiting Period For Gun Buys
Rep. John Block, R-Alamogordo, debates House Bill 129, which would require a firearms sale waiting period, on the House floor Friday, Feb. 2, 2024. Photo by Luis Sánchez Saturno/The New Mexican
Rep. Andrea Romero, D-Santa Fe, listens to Rep. John Block, R-Alamogordo, while he debates House Bill 129, which would require a firearms sale waiting period, on the House floor Friday, Feb. 2, 2024. Photo by Luis Sánchez Saturno/The New Mexican
By ROBERT NOTT
The Santa Fe New Mexican
Little has stirred up legislative debate this year more than the issue of guns — particularly at the intersection where Read More
Highlights From Jan. 25 School Board Meeting
The School Board during its Jan. 25 meeting recognized LAHS junior Michael Bane on being awarded the Cadet Wings scholarship. Bane also recently received the Brigadier General Billy Mitchell Award and earned the rank of Cadet 2nd Lieutenant. School Board President Antonio Jaurigue holds the microphone. Courtesy/LAPS
Aspen Principal Liz Janusz and Assistant Principal Shannon Trujillo present programs put in place to address the district’s goals of academic success, social emotional well-being and civic responsibility. Courtesy/LAPS
LAPS News:
The Los Alamos Public Schools (LAPS) Read More
Roundhouse Roundup: Days Remaining In Session – 12
Roundhouse Roundup
The Santa Fe New Mexican
‘Sofia’s Law’ moves forward: The Senate Education Committee approved Senate Bill 219, a $1 million plan to supply high schools across the state with naloxone nasal spray — a drug better known by its brand name Narcan that reverses the effects of an opioid overdose.
Sen. Moe Maestas, D-Albuquerque, said the bill would not only allow students and staff to administer naloxone at school but would ensure students could take the nasal spray with them, in case of an overdose off-campus.
The proposed legislation comes from Albuquerque Academy senior Karl Read More
Council Recognizes Local Election Officials & Poll Workers
From left, Los Alamos County Clerk Naomi Maestas stands with poll workers and County Clerk’s Office Elections Manager Victoria Martinez, 2nd from right, and Councilor Keith Lepsch, right, during Tuesday’s council meeting. County Council recognized the poll workers’ efforts at the beginning of the meeting. Courtesy/LAC
Staff Report
Los Alamos County Council recognized and commended the contributions of election officials during its regular meeting Jan. 30.
Councilor Keith Lepsch read the recognition.
Los Alamos County Clerk Naomi Maestas congratulated local poll workers and their Read More
Jennifer Garner Leaves Lawmakers, Visitors Star-Struck
Mark Kennedy Shriver and actor Jennifer Garner stand together as they are introduced from the Senate floor at the state Capitol Thursday. Garner and Kennedy Shriver visited both chambers of the Legislature as representatives of Save the Children, a humanitarian organization that helps children worldwide. Courtesy/Gabriela Campos/The New Mexican.
Senate President Pro Tem Mimi Stewart, (D-Albuquerque), introduces actor Jennifer Garner and Mark Kennedy Shriver, representatives of Save the Children, at the state Capitol on Thursday. Courtesy/Gabriela Campos/The New Mexican.
By Read More
Students Speak Up At 2024 STEAM Day At The Legislature
LANL Foundation News:
SANTA FE — Hundreds of students flocked to the Roundhouse Thursday to advocate for STEAM education across New Mexico at this year’s STEAM Day at the Legislature, hosted by LANL Foundation.
STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education is a vital part of getting our state ready for the future. Every student in New Mexico should have access to STEAM education so they can developthe knowledge, skills, and practices demanded by the 21st Century.
Student speakers joined legislators Rep. Susan Herrera, Rep. Joseph Sanchez, and Sen. Leo Jaramillo Read More
JEC Chairman Heinrich On January Jobs Report
JEC News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Chairman of the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee (JEC), released the following statement today after the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that nonfarm payroll employment increased by 353,000 in January and the unemployment rate remained at 3.7 percent.
The unemployment rate was 5.3 percent for Black workers, 5.0 percent for Hispanic workers, 3.4 percent for white workers, 2.9 percent for Asian workers, and 6.7 percent (not seasonally adjusted) for American Indian and Alaska Native workers.
“We started off the year Read More
New Mexico House Panel OKs Ban On Book Bans
Rep. Stefani Lord (R-Sandia Park)
By NATHAN BROWN
The Santa Fe New Mexican
A bill before the state Legislature to make it harder to remove books from public libraries based on objections to their content took a step forward Thursday evening.
House Bill 123 made it out of the House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee on a 4-2 party-line vote. Sponsored by five Albuquerque-area Democrats, the bill would take state funding away from public libraries that remove books “because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval or the author’s race, nationality, gender identity, sexual orientation or political Read More
Senate Finance Chairman George Muñoz Says Some Budget Proposals Violate Constitution
Sen. George Muñoz
By DANIEL J. CHACÓN
The Santa Fe New Mexican
A big fight is brewing at the Capitol over the state budget, which is supposed to be the focus of the 30-day session but has almost become an afterthought amid a politically charged push to pass gun control legislation.
With less than two weeks left until lawmakers are set to adjourn for the year, the chairman of the powerful Senate Finance Committee is sounding the alarm on a number of proposed appropriations in New Mexico’s record-breaking $10.1 billion spending plan, saying they are in direct violation of the state constitution. Read More
Video: Williams Hill Shares Council Meeting Highlights
County Library Board To Meet Monday Feb. 5
COUNTY News:
The next Los Alamos County Library Board meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 5 at the Municipal Building.
There is also an option to attend via Zoom with this link https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82045845608
The Los Alamos County Library Board welcomes Councilor Melanee Hand as its new liaison.
Click this link to find meeting details: https://losalamos.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx Read More
Scenes From FLOW Workshop At Los Alamos Teen Center
Leaders from the Climate Citizens Lobby New Mexico state chapter and Los Alamos High School Eco Club host a beginning climate advocacy FLOW workshop for teens recently at Los Alamos Teen Center. Presenters include LAHS Eco Club Co-Presidents Charlotte Butcher and Arianne Terrones and CCL leaders Bill Barron and Sara Mason. Courtesy/Charlotte Butcher
Scene from the beginning climate advocacy FLOW workshop for teens held recently at Los Alamos Teen Center. Courtesy/Charlotte Butcher
Scene from the beginning climate advocacy FLOW workshop for teens held recently at Los Alamos Teen Center. Read More
Roundhouse Roundup: Days Remaining In Session – 13
Roundhouse Roundup
The Santa Fe New Mexican
Gun bills head to House floor: Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee said Wednesday a bill that would raise the minimum age to purchase certain types of guns to 21 might not pass constitutional muster.
“Age restrictions on young adults have been found unconstitutional,” Rep. Andrea Reeb, R-Clovis said. She noted people younger than 21 can serve in the military and become certified law enforcement officers. And they can vote, added Rep. Bill Rehm, R-Albuquerque.
An amended version of House Bill 127 was one of a pair of high-profile gun control Read More
