New Mexico Senate Floor Action For March 9, 2023
New Mexico Senate News:
SANTA FE – Today, the New Mexico senate: passed legislation supporting geothermal energy research & development, unanimously advanced a measure increasing funding for senior programs, and recognized the critical need to shore up acequia disaster response and hazard mitigation.
Below is a summary of these measures and a complete list of all the additional legislation passed today on the senate floor.
Bolstering Geothermal Resource Development
Today the Senate passed Senate Bill 8, a priority piece of legislation for New Mexico Senate Democrats that promotes Read More
Council Action Taken March 7, 2023
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
The ban on the County’s use of glyphosate on its properties remains in place.
Los Alamos County Council voted 6-1 to keep the ban, with Councilor Keith Lepsch in opposition, during the regular council meeting Tuesday night.
Lepsch proposed revising the ban, stating his concerns about the weeds that grew in the cracks in the Los Alamos County Airport’s runway, which poses safety risks to planes and helicopters such as Classic Air Medical, which Lepsch works for as a flight nurse.
“It is unrealistic, I think, to have crews walking Read More
DPU Feels The Heat From Rising Natural Gas Prices
In response to rising costs of natural gas the Los Alamos County Council will consider at its March 28 meeting approving a revision to the ordinance that would adjust the variable rate cap for natural gas, add an additional recovery rate component and a compensatory minimum value for the variable portion. Courtesy/DPU
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
The price of natural gas, like everything else, has risen. Everyone has been feeling the heat and the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) is no exception.
In response, Los Alamos County Council will consider approving Read More
RPLA Invites Republicans To Meeting Thursday March 16
By LISA SHIN
Chair
Republican Party of Los Alamos
Since our last Central Committee meeting Jan. 19, we have had successful Ward C and RPLA Subcommittee meetings.
I am very encouraged about the new faces and volunteers we are seeing! People who are concerned about the attacks on our 2nd Amendment rights, parental rights, small business owners, and medical specialists are asking how they can get involved and help.
We are planning more ward meetings and special events throughout the year. Check out our events page here to stay informed. Councilor Reagor reports that there are 2 County Board vacancies. Read More
Bennie Hargrove Gun Safety Act Heads To Governor’s Desk
The Roundhouse in Santa Fe. Post file photo
STATE News:
SANTA FE — House Bill 9, also known as “Bennie’s Bill”, cleared its final step in the legislature Wednesday.
The House voted 34-28 to concur with the Senate on amendments made to the bill. The bill will now head to the desk of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, who has already expressed her support for it, to be signed into law by April 7.
House Bill 9 is a commonsense safe storage bill to protect children from gun violence and tragic accidents by making sure adults store their firearms responsibly. The bill is named in honor of Bennie Hargrove, the Albuquerque Read More
Ethics Bill To Prevent Abuses Of Power Passes House
STATE News:
SANTA FE — House Bill 5 passed the House Wednesday night with a unanimous vote of 61-0.
This bill updates the Governmental Conduct Act to make the exchange of sexual acts for official favors from government officials or legislators in a quid pro quo arrangement an ethics violation.
It also increases the maximum penalty for an ethics violation from $5,000 to $10,000.
“We cannot tolerate sexual coercion or harassment from our elected leaders and public officials,” lead sponsor Rep. Kathleen Cates (D-Rio Rancho) said. “Every New Mexican should feel safe in interactions with our government Read More
Bipartisan Community Safety Bill Heads To House Floor
STATE News:
SANTA FE — An important community safety bill will now head to the House Floor, after unanimously passing the House Judiciary Committee Wednesday.
House Bill 306 would make it a fourth-degree felony to knowingly purchase a firearm for another person who cannot lawfully own it or intends to use it for a crime.
“Far too much of the gun violence in our state can be attributed to those who have no business owning firearms in the first place,” said Rep. Raymundo Lara (D-Chamberino). “Closing the current straw purchase loophole will help us keep guns out of the wrong hands and reduce violent Read More
HB 134 Free Menstrual Products In Schools Goes To Senate
The Roundhouse in Santa Fe. Courtesy photo
By ROBERT NOTT
The Santa Fe New Mexican
A student-driven bill that would require all public schools in New Mexico to stock restrooms with free menstrual products is headed to its final proving ground in the Legislature.
The Senate Education Committee on Wednesday voted 4-1 in approval of House Bill 134, drafted by three teens who attend Albuquerque Academy. The bill now goes to the full Senate.
Rep. Christine Trujillo, D-Albuquerque, a sponsor of HB 134, said the budget bill for fiscal year 2024 includes $1.2 million to fund the measure.
Maddy Hayden, Read More
Secretary Toulouse Oliver Praises Passage Of New Mexico Voting Rights Act
Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver
STATE News:
SANTA FE — Wednesday, House Bill 4, also known as the New Mexico Voting Rights Act, passed the New Mexico Senate on a 27 to 14 vote. The bill now heads back to the New Mexico House of Representatives for concurrence on amendments before being sent to the governor.
House Bill 4’s pro-voter provisions bolster the safety and integrity of New Mexico’s elections and include streamlining the voter registration process for formerly incarcerated New Mexicans so they can better reintegrate into civic society; establishing the Native American Voting Read More
Proposed Education Department Overhaul Faces Last Hurdle
Bill Co-sponsor Sen. Steven Neville, R-Aztec
By ROBERT NOTT
The Santa Fe New Mexican
A proposed overhaul of New Mexico’s public education system — eliminating the Cabinet secretary position and reestablishing a statewide board of education — is headed to its last stop, the House floor.
The House Education Committee voted 9-2 today to support Senate Joint Resolution 1, which calls for a November 2024 general election ballot question asking New Mexico voters to decide on a constitutional amendment making the change. The Senate already has approved the resolution, which does not need the governor’s Read More
Legislative Roundup: 9 Days Remain In 2023 Session
The Santa Fe New Mexican
Bigger budget: A revised spending plan the Senate Finance Committee is considering would increase the state’s overall budget for the upcoming fiscal year by nearly 14%.
The budget proposal approved by the House increased spending by 12.4%.
Changes proposed by the Senate Finance Committee include $101 million more for the Opportunity Scholarship, as well as additional funding to cover the cost of providing free meals at school for all students — both priorities of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.
The committee is also proposing bigger raises for state Read More
In Budget Committee Luján Introduces Mora County Commissioner Veronica Serna, Highlights Need For Wildfire Recovery Assistance
U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján. Courtesy photo
Mora County Commissioner Veronica Serna. Courtesy photo
STATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — During a Senate Budget Committee hearing today, U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) introduced Mora County Commissioner Veronica Serna to highlight the need for continued investment in New Mexico’s wildfire recovery.
During his introduction, Luján explained how the consequences of a once-in-a-lifetime wildfire and post-fire flooding has taken a devastating toll on local communities’ budgets and resources.
Following her introduction, Commissioner Serna delivered Read More
House Bill 4 ‘Voting Rights Act’ Passes New Mexico Senate
New Mexico Senate Democrats News:
SANTA FE – As voting rights are assailed and rolled back across the country, New Mexico continues to enhance and expand voter access. Today, the New Mexico Voting Rights Act, legislation supporting voter accessibility and election security measures, passed the Senate (27-14).
House Bill 4 is sponsored by Speaker of the House Javier Martínez (D-Albuquerque), House Majority Floor Leader Gail Chasey (D-Albuquerque), Sen. Katy Duhigg (D-Albuquerque), Rep. D. Wonda Johnson (D-Church Rock), Majority Caucus Chair Ray Lara (D-Chamberino), Rep. Derrick Read More
Chamber Business Breakfast At SALA Thursday March 23
Gov. Lujan Grisham Issues Statement On Passing Of Former Navajo Nation Chairman And President Peterson Zah
Former Navajo Nation Chairman and President Peterson Zah
From the Office of the Governor:
SANTA FE – Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham issued a statement today following the passing of former Navajo Nation Chairman and President Peterson Zah.
“Chairman and President Zah committed himself to service to the Navajo people, first as Chairman of the Navajo Nation from 1981 to 1987, and then as President from 1990 to 1995.
“A longtime advocate for higher education, he worked tirelessly to advocate for Navajo students, pushing students to finish their schooling, while working with ASU to improve their Read More
Heinrich, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Bill To Tackle National Security Threats From Foreign Technology
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, co-led the introduction of the Restricting the Emergence of Security Threats that Risk Information and Communications Technology (RESTRICT) Act.
The legislation that will comprehensively address the ongoing threat posed by technology from foreign adversaries by better empowering the U.S. Department of Commerce to review, prevent, and mitigate information communications and technology transactions that pose undue risk to national security. The legislation Read More
Scene From Los Alamos County Day At The Roundhouse
Gathered this morning for the first ever ‘Los Alamos County Day at the Roundhouse’ from left, Los Alamos Chamber Director Ryn Herrmann, Los Alamos Commerce & Development Corporation Executive Director Lauren McDaniel, Sen. Leo Jaramillo and Los Alamos MainStreet Director Jacquelyn Connolly. Courtesy photo
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, center, joins a local contingent and others for the first ever ‘Los Alamos County Day at the Roundhouse’ today in Santa Fe. Courtesy photo Read More
Op/Ed: Paid Family & Medical Leave – Pro-Business, Pro-Worker
By President Pro Tem Sen. Mimi Stewart and
House Judiciary Committee Chair Rep. Christine Chandler
Hindsight is undefeated, and the best way to view the Paid Family and Medical Leave proposal in the Legislature is to look at what similar policies in the past caused—or more importantly, did not cause—today.
If you believe the rhetoric from some Senate Republicans during the Floor debate last Saturday, Paid Family and Medical Leave will cause hundreds of small businesses to immediately layoff employees, shut their doors, or leave the state for the greener pastures of Texas or Arizona (but not Read More
Committee OKs Bill To Give New Mexico Governor, Other Elected Officials $60,000 Pay Raise This Year
The Roundhouse in Santa Fe. Post file photo
By DANIEL J. CHACÓN
The Santa Fe New Mexican
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, Attorney General Raúl Torrez and other statewide elected officials each would get a raise of nearly $60,000 this year under a proposal the Senate Finance Committee endorsed Monday.
Senate Bill 442 passed on an 8-3 vote.
Sen. William Burt, R-Alamogordo, joined the seven Democrats on the committee in voting in support of the bill, which heads next to the full Senate for consideration.
The Senate Health and Public Affairs Committee had previously advanced SB 442 but with the proposed Read More
Carson: New Mexico’s Bars & Restaurants Need Support, Not Higher Taxes
By KEN CARSON
Owner
Nexus Brewery + Restaurant
As the owner of Nexus Brewery in Albuquerque, I can tell you that newly proposed alcohol tax increases are not what New Mexico’s bars and restaurants need right now.
I realize that our state lawmakers have good intentions and I commend them for this effort. But there are other ways to achieve the goal; this tax increase will further burden an industry that has already been through so much. Establishments like mine are struggling to cope with the continued economic impacts of inflation, supply chain woes and the remnants of the COVID-19 pandemic.
We’ve Read More
