Halfway Through Session Watch For Speed, Priorities To Rule
By ROBERT NOTT
The Santa Fe New Mexican
It’s the halfway point for this year’s 30-day legislative session, but that doesn’t mean there’s a halftime.
No breaks allowed.
A lobbyist ordering lunch at the cafe in the Capitol on Tuesday put it this way: “Starting tomorrow [Wednesday], it’s hell week.”
Make that hell week, two weeks in a row. With 15 days to go and nearly 600 pieces of legislation already introduced, expect top-priority and hot-button issues to rise to the top in an effort to get them over the finish line by Feb. 15, the last day of the session.
That means many other pieces of legislation will Read More
Roundhouse Roundup: Days Remaining In Session – 15
Roundhouse Roundup
The Santa Fe New Mexican
Electric vehicle tax credit: Members of the House Taxation and Revenue Committee gave criticisms and suggestions to the sponsors of House Bill 140, which would establish a tax credit for electric vehicle purchases through 2029.
Buyers would receive a $3,000 tax credit on new EVs, $1,500 for used ones and $2,000 for new hybrid cars from 2024 through 2026. The credit would decrease in the following three years because EVs prices are expected to fall; it would sunset at the end of 2029.
The bill will come back to the committee as part of this year’s tax package. Read More
Simonich: Dems Show Spine In Disagreement With Governor
By MILAN SIMONICH
The Santa Fe New Mexican
Political courage seldom flashes before our eyes at the state Capitol. This week was an exception.
Five Democratic senators defied Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, who favored a Republican’s bill to make it easier to keep defendants jailed in felony cases.
The senators closed ranks to stop the bill from advancing on grounds it would violate the state constitution. Their decision leaves them vulnerable to backlash in an election year, but they never blinked.
State prosecutors already have vast resources available to make their case for keeping Read More
New Mexico Senate Oks Ban On Guns At Election Sites
The Roundhouse in Santa Fe. Post file photo
By ROBERT NOTT
The Santa Fe New Mexican
New Mexico Senate Republicans, outnumbered in their chamber nearly 2-to-1, have vowed this legislative session to use every play in the book to amplify their voices and, if necessary, slow Democratic efforts they don’t like.
They pulled a play Tuesday during a floor debate on a contentious bill that would prohibit New Mexicans from carrying firearms near polling places on Election Day.
About 35 minutes into the debate, Sen. Craig Brandt, R-Rio Rancho, requested a “call of the Senate”, a procedural move that requires Read More
Governor On ‘Another Year Of Inaction’ By Legislature To Keep New Mexico’s Violent Offenders Behind Bars
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham
STATE News:
SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham issued a statement following the Senate Health and Public Affairs Committee’s vote to table SB 122.
“I am dismayed that our Legislature has once again refused to undertake an honest, robust debate on the state of our pretrial release system. Crime is out of control and something needs to change. We have invested hundreds of millions of dollars in behavioral health services, education, economic opportunity – critical components that ensure every New Mexican gets a fair shake. However, I will not stand by as repeat Read More
Farmington Representative Decries Budget Adjustment To Provide Full-Time Staff For Lawmakers
Rep. Rob Montoya, (R-Farmington), is shown at the House Appropriations and Finance Committee meeting Monday, Jan. 29, 2024. Courtesy/Luis Sánchez Saturno/The New Mexican
Rep. Brian Baca, (R-Los Lunas), discussed the proposed state budget bill with Legislative Finance Committee Director Charles Sallee during a meeting of the House Appropriations and Finance Committee Monday, Jan. 29, 2024. Courtesy/Luis Sánchez Saturno/The New Mexican
By DANIEL J. CHACÓN
The Santa Fe New Mexican
A $10.1 billion spending plan approved Monday by the House Appropriations and Finance Committee is turning Read More
Bill To Raise State’s Fossil Fuel Royalty Rates Moves Ahead
By SCOTT WYLAND
The Santa Fe New Mexican
New Mexico’s fossil fuel industry is enjoying a record boom in the Permian Basin, and state officials want the education system to benefit even more than it has from the oil-rich region by making companies pay more to drill on state lands there.
The House Commerce and Economic Development Committee voted 6-5 Monday, mostly along party lines, in favor of House Bill 48, which would raise the maximum royalty rates on state lands to 25 percent from the current 20 percent — the first such increase since the 1970s.
The bill’s next stop is the House floor for a vote. Read More
Roundhouse Roundup: Days Remaining In Session – 16
Roundhouse Roundup
The Santa Fe New Mexican
Gun bills head to House: A couple of contentious gun control measures are headed to the House floor after winning approval Monday in the House Judiciary Committee.
House Bill 129 would impose a 14-day waiting period on gun purchases. House Bill 27 would add health care professionals to the list of people who can ask law enforcement officers to file a petition for an extreme risk firearm protection order. It also clarifies that law enforcement officers can file petitions.
Both proposals passed long party lines, with Republicans voting in opposition. Read More
DPLAC To Host Fundraiser Feb. 3 At Fuller Lodge
The community is invited to attend this fun event – be sure to bring cash or checks! Read More
Military & Veterans Day At 2024 Legislature Feb. 3
DVS News:
-
-
-
-
- Ceremony at noon in the Capitol Rotunda
-
-
-
SANTA FE – Military veterans, National Guard/Reserve and active service members will be honored on Military & Veterans Day at the 2024 Legislature Saturday, Feb. 3, at the State Capitol in Santa Fe.
This annual day during the legislative session is presented by the New Mexico Department of Veterans Services (DVS) and the New Mexico National Guard to honor New Mexico’s military community for their sacrifice and service for our country.
There will be a noon ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda, and informational tables in the east and west wings Read More
Leger Fernández Presents Congressional Record Certificate To ENMU’s Award Winning ‘Greyhound Sound’ Marching Band
Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández presents a Congressional Record Certificate to the Eastern New Mexico University ‘Greyhound Sound’ Marching Band Jan. 26. Courtesy/ENMU
ENMU News:
PORTALES — Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández presented a Congressional Record Certificate to the Eastern New Mexico University Greyhound Sound Marching Band Friday, Jan. 26, at Buchanan Hall in the Music Building on the ENMU main campus.
The Certificate recognized Eastern New Mexico University’s marching band, “Greyhound Sound”, for its victory in the inaugural Metallica Marching Band Competition. The Greyhound Read More
LAPS Possible Quorum Notice: AP Day At State Capitol
LAPS News:
Members of the Los Alamos School Board may attend the AP Day at the New Mexico State Capitol Tuesday, Jan. 31 in Santa Fe.
A quorum may be present; however no action will be taken. Read More
No-Shows Delay Vote On Paid Family & Medical Leave
The chairs of four Republicans on the Senate Tax, Business and Transportation Committee remained empty Thursday during a hearing on a bill to create a paid family and medical leave program in New Mexico. Photo by Daniel J. Chacón/The New Mexican
By DANIEL J. CHACON
The Santa Fe New Mexican
Republicans held up a vote Thursday on a contentious bill to create a paid family and medical leave program in New Mexico after they skipped a hearing that left the Senate Tax, Business and Transportation Committee without a quorum.
Their Democratic colleagues, who met as a subcommittee, moved forward nonetheless Read More
Denish: Good News Pierces Gloomy Headlines
By DIANE DENISH
Corner to Corner
© 2024 New Mexico News Services
Sometimes I wonder if the job of the media, no matter which channels you select, is to keep Americans wringing their hands. It doesn’t really matter if you watch cable channels such as Fox News or MSNBC or network channels. There is always something to worry about: the economy, the war in Ukraine, violence, food recalls, just to name a few.
Just for starters, let’s think about the economy. For months, media headlines had us on the brink of a recession. First it was, “Buckle up, we are headed for a recession!” Or this: “Is a recession looming Read More
NNSA Issues Floodplain Findings For Natural Gas Line Replacement At Los Alamos National Laboratory
NNSA News:
The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) is proposing new construction that crosses through upper Pajarito Canyon and upper Starmer Canyon from Technical Area (TA) 8 to TA-22 at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL).
The project proposes to install a new 12-inch HDPE natural gas line to replace the existing 70+ year old 12-inch bare steel natural gas line. Replacement will prevent loss of service to several LANL technical areas and Bandelier National Monument. The project activities within the 100-year floodplains include new natural gas line installation to replace Read More
Simonich: Games Legislators Play Are Pricey Proposition
By MILAN SIMONICH
The Santa Fe New Mexican
January is a difficult time for vegetarians in Santa Fe. State legislators as usual are pushing projects made of pure pork.
In certain instances, their efforts are bipartisan, demonstrating that bad government can be a collaborative undertaking.
Two senators, Democrat Moe Maestas and Republican Mark Moores, want $900,000 in state funding to promote the Isleta New Mexico Bowl, a college football game played in their hometown of Albuquerque.
Through Senate Bill 131, Moores and Maestas want the cash appropriated to the state Tourism Department. Then Read More
Video: County PIO Gives Briefing On Council Work Session
Los Alamos County Public Information Officer Julie Williams Hill gives a briefing on Tuesday night’s County Council work session. Video by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com Read More
JEC Chairman Heinrich On 4th Quarter GDP Growth
Sen. Martin Heinrich
JEC News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Chairman of the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee (JEC), released the following statement Thursday after the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) reported its initial estimate that real fourth-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) expanded 3.3 percent on an annual basis.
“All signs continue to point to a stable and growing economy. We closed out last year with strong economic growth, led by increases in consumer spending, exports, and investment. We continue to avoid the recession that naysayers have continually Read More
Tales Of Our Times: Larger Scopes Find Better Remedies For Hard Problems
Tales Of Our Times
By JOHN BARTLIT
Los Alamos
The priorities that make a healthy forest are quite different from the trendy views on the subject that fill the daily news. Politics today finds itself amid a full-blown dilemma. In times past, politicos once believed that the more facts are included, the better informed policy can be crafted on some large national issue, such as forest health.
Now, parties seek victory at the expense of issues. We live immersed in electioneering 24/7. Campaign ads tell us 24/7 to choose truths and trash truths according to our favorite ads. So, forest issues are used Read More
Advocates Urge Legislators To Support Efforts To Reduce Homelessness In New Mexico
Monet Silva, executive director of the New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness, speaks to Sen. Harold Pope, D-Albuquerque, about Senate Bill 166, which would create a Homeless Reduction Division, after a news conference at the Capitol Friday, Jan. 24, 2024. Photo by Luis Sánchez Saturno/The New Mexican
Rep. Andrea Romero, D-Santa Fe, speaks about House Bill 25, which would prohibit housing discrimination based on income, during a news conference at the Capitol Friday, Jan. 24, 2024. Photo by Luis Sánchez Saturno/The New Mexican
By CARINA JULIG
The Santa Fe New Mexican
The New Mexico Coalition Read More
