Ryti: Diversity, Equity, And Inclusivity
By RANDALL RYTI
Los Alamos County Councilor
Council continues to include “welcoming” in the second sentence of our vision statement “Extraordinary educational, recreational, and cultural opportunities abound in a vibrant and welcoming small-town atmosphere situated in a magnificent mountain setting.” We also have identified Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity (DEI) as one of our 21 priorities. What does it mean to be welcoming and how do we make progress on DEI?
First, some background on how this issue got raised to Council and what actions we have taken so far. In December 2020, Councilor Read More
State Public Regulation Commission Encourages New Mexicans To Take Part In Fix-A-Leak Week
Commission Chair Pat O’Connell
PRC News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (PRC) during Fix-a-Leak Week, March 20-26, encourages state residents to make sure their plumbing fixtures and irrigation systems are working properly.
Created by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Fix-a-Leak Week campaign aims to raise awareness about water leaks and provide resources to find and address common household leaks.
“New Mexicans know that water conservation is vital toward reducing our demand for this precious resource,” Commission Chair Pat O’Connell said. Read More
Governor Appoints Members To New CYFD Advisory Council
STATE News:
SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham Tuesday announced the members selected to serve on the Children Youth and Families Department (CYFD) Advisory Council.
The members were appointed following an executive order directing its creation signed in February by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.
In addition to creating the advisory council, the order directed multiple other, immediate changes that will transform the way the department serves and protects the state’s most vulnerable children and families.
The CYFD Advisory Council gathers professionals from the child-welfare community Read More
DPLA: Rep. Christine Chandler To Present Post-legislative Session Re-cap Monday At The Tub In Central Park Square
Rep. Christine Chandler
DPLA News:
The community is invited to join the Democratic Party of Los Alamos County (DPLA) at 6 p.m. Monday, March 20 at The Tub in Central Park Square to hear Rep. Christine Chandler present a post-legislative session re-cap.
Rep. Chandler represents New Mexico District 43, which includes Los Alamos, Sandoval and Santa Fe counties. She chairs the House Judiciary Committee and serves on the House Taxation & Revenue Committee. Read More
Notable Legislation: What Passed & Failed In 2023 Session
The Santa Fe New Mexican
State lawmakers introduce hundreds of measures in a 60-day legislative session, and the race to get them passed by both chambers begins on day one.
Many of them, such as this year’s House Bill 510, which would have made Lenny Roybal’s “Red or Green?” the official state chile song, failed to reach the finish line.
Chile, a New Mexico staple, had better luck this year with Senate Bill 188, which will declare “the aroma of green chile roasting” the official state aroma if the governor gives it her signature. It passed both the House and Senate after it was amended from an original Read More
Governor On Crime Legislation: ‘I’m Going To Keep Trying’
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham
By DANIEL J. CHACÓN and ROBERT NOTT
The Santa Fe New Mexican
As Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham started her post-session news conference Saturday, she already knew the score.
Of the roughly 40 public safety bills introduced this year, the governor said she championed 10.
“We have about a handful up, and out of 40, it’s 10 [that passed], and not all of those would really constitute what I think are strong public safety measures,” she said.
“I know that is an area that you want me to say I’m disappointed,” Lujan Grisham added. “I’m motivated. I am very motivated to find additional Read More
Supporters Vow To Bring Back Paid Family & Medical Leave
Bill co-sponsor Rep. Christine Chandler
By DANIEL J. CHACÓN
The Santa Fe New Mexican
Supporters of a proposal to establish a paid family and medical leave program in New Mexico gathered Thursday in the Capitol’s Rotunda to deliver a message about its failure.
They’re bringing it back next year with backing from Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.
“We have come closer to the finish line than we ever have,” said Rep. Christine Chandler, a Los Alamos Democrat who has been pushing for paid family and medical leave since taking office in 2019.
“We all know in this Rotunda that transformational change is difficult, Read More
Bill Hailed As Compromise In Emotional Debate Over Rising Medical Malpractice Costs Passed House 63-0
Bill co-sponsor Rep. Ryan Lane, R-Atezc
By ROBERT NOTT
The Santa Fe New Mexican
A bill brokered this week by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and state Senate leaders from both parties — hailed as a compromise in an emotional debate over rising medical malpractice costs — passed the House of Representatives in a 63-0 vote Thursday.
Senate Bill 523, drafted in a deal with trial lawyers and health care professionals, will cap medical malpractice payouts for independent outpatient clinics at $1 million, which they say will allow them to obtain malpractice insurance and keep their doors open.
Under Read More
2023 Legislative Session Ends On Collegial Notes
By ROBERT NOTT and DANIEL J. CHACÓN
The santa Fe New Mexican
In the end, as Dean Martin liked to sing, everybody loves somebody — at least, sometime.
That was true in the waning minutes of this year’s legislative session as lawmakers from opposing parties and with markedly different views of political philosophy bid goodbye to one another with hugs, handshakes and fare-thee-wells.
Absent was any sense of partisan conflict as legislators, weary after 60 days of debates, decisions and defeats — as well as victories, of course — bid adieu to it all for another year at noon Saturday.
In the House of Representatives, Read More
House Approves Creation Of Civil Rights Division Within New Mexico Attorney General’s Office
House Majority Whip Reena Szczepanski
STATE News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico House of Representatives voted 51-13 Friday to pass Senate Bill 426, which would create a Civil Rights Division within the New Mexico Attorney General’s Office.
The Civil Rights Division created by SB 426 would have the authority to investigate civil rights violations and bring in civil actions for violations. The division would also collect information and make policy recommendations about the protection of New Mexicans’ civil rights to government entities.
“The work of this office will be critical to upholding Read More
Ringside Seat: Winners, Losers And A Merciful Ending
By MILAN SIMONICH
The Santa Fe New Mexican
In the world of state politics, everyone reached the finish line at the same time Saturday.
But that doesn’t mean every politician and ordinary person was a winner. New Mexico’s legislative session ended with a range of ratings on my scorecard.
Loser — Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. She nominated James Mountain as Cabinet secretary of the Indian Affairs Department, then effectively blocked his confirmation hearing before the Senate Rules Committee.
Mountain 15 years ago was accused of rape, kidnapping and battery on a household member. Read More
Rep. Stansbury Convenes Veterans Resource Fair To Highlight New PACT Act Health Care Benefits
U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury convened a Veterans Resource Fair today in Albuquerque to highlight the benefits of the Honoring Our PACT Act for New Mexico’s veterans. Courtesy photo
From the Office of U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury:
ALBUQUERQUE – U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury (N.M.-01) convened a Veterans Resource Fair today alongside the New Mexico Department of Veterans Services, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center, and local veterans’ organizations to highlight the benefits of the Honoring Our PACT Act for New Mexico’s veterans.
The fair also was designed to Read More
New Mexico Secretary Of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver Highlights Successful Passage Of Multiple Pro-Voter Policies In 2023 Legislative Session
Secretary Of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver
From the Office of the Secretary of State:
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SANTA FE – The 2023 New Mexico legislative session resulted in the successful passage of multiple high priority bills for the Secretary of State’s Office and election administrators across the state. Taken together, the bills represent the most comprehensive set of pro-voter policies to come out of the legislature in years.
“These bills are big wins for voting access, election security, and election administration in New Mexico,” said Secretary of State Read More
Common Cause New Mexico Addresses 2023 Legislative Session’s Historic Election Bills And Failure Of Modernization Amendments
By Common Cause New Mexico:
Common Cause New Mexico has issued the following end of 2023 Legislative Session statement:
The 2023 session brought a historic victory in a key priority for Common Cause New Mexico: Protection of voting rights and election security.
The passage of HB 4, and SB 180 and 43 will expand access to the polling place (HB 4), ensure efficient election administration (SB 180) and protect poll workers and election officials (SB 43).
“At a time when other states are rolling back voting rights, we are protecting these bedrock elements of democracy here in New Mexico,” said Mason Read More
New Mexico Lawmakers Churn Out Rush Of Bills As 2023 Legislative Session Winds Down
The Roundhouse in Santa Fe. Post file photo
By ROBERT NOTT and DANIEL J. CHACÓN
The Santa Fe New Mexican
The New Mexico Legislature careened toward a finish late Friday, passing both key and lesser-known legislation while trying to hash out a deal on a massive tax package.
Both the House of Representatives and the Senate pushed full steam ahead from mid-morning to night, working their way through dozens of bills as the deadline for legislative passage — noon Saturday — closed in.
Many of the issues prioritized by Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and legislative leadership this year — the Read More
Bipartisan House Tax Package Heads To Governor
STATE News:
HB 547 would lower taxes, deliver rebates for all New Mexicans, provide relief for working families, and support climate goals
SANTA FE – After conference committee meetings, the House of Representatives and the Senate have now both agreed on amendments to House Bill 547. This marks the legislation’s final step in the legislature, sending it to the Governor’s desk.
Once signed into law by the Governor, HB 547 will provide relief for working families and ease the tax burden on all New Mexicans. It also increases support for drug and alcohol treatment services, advances climate goals, Read More
AFT New Mexico: Three More Bills Head To Governor As 2023 Session Draws To A Close
AFT NM News:
At noon today, March 18, the New Mexico legislature will adjourn ‘Sine Die.’ (Adjournment sine die – from the Latin “without day” – means, “without assigning a day for a further meeting or hearing”. To adjourn an assembly sine die is to adjourn it for an indefinite period. A legislative body adjourns sine die when it adjourns without appointing a day on which to appear or assemble again.)
Both the House of Representatives and State Senate are still debating bills, so a few more bills may yet pass this Legislative Session.
All the movement of the AFT NM-supported bills:
Thursday, March Read More
Statement On New Mexico House Passage Of SB53 Addressing Storage Of High-Level Nuclear Waste
SIERRA CLUB News:
The New Mexico House passed SB53 (Sen. Jeff Steinborn, Representatives Matthew McQueen, Debra Marie Sariñana, Patricia Roybal Caballero) Friday afternoon 35-28.
The legislation, which prevents permitting for “temporary” storage of the nation’s high-level nuclear waste in New Mexico, now moves to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s desk.
In response, advocates issued the following statements:
Sen. Steinborn, SB53 sponsor:
“Today was a great win for New Mexico and the country. We protected our state from this short-sighted and long-term dangerous plan and in doing so, Read More
Governor Signs Bill To Bolster State’s Financial Stability
STATE News:
SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham Friday signed Senate Bill 26, reinvesting some of the state’s oil and gas windfall in the Severance Tax Permanent Fund and lessening any impacts to the general fund from future volatility in the industry.
“This is yet another huge investment in New Mexico’s future,” Gov. Lujan Grisham said. “By responsibly reinvesting the record revenues we are seeing now, we ensure that future budgets are less dependent on the current state of the oil and gas industry.”
The bill, sponsored by Sen. Bobby Gonzales, passed unanimously from both the House Read More
Heinrich Named Vice Chair Of National Service Caucus
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Vice Chair of the National Service Congressional Caucus and the first AmeriCorps alum to serve in the United States Senate, joined Senate Co-Chairs Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Vice Chair Shelley Moore Capito (R-W. Va.), and House of Representatives Co-Chairs Garret Graves (R-La.) and Doris Matsui (D-Calif.) to release a resolution in celebration of AmeriCorps Week to honor the invaluable contributions of AmeriCorps members and alumni.
The caucus also celebrated its Read More
