New Mexico Independent Medical Providers Say Rising Malpractice Cap Threatens To Shut Them Down
Gabrielle M. Adams, M.D.
By ROBERT NOTT and DANIEL J. CHACÓN
The Santa Fe New Mexican
Clad in her white medical coat, Dr. Gabrielle Adams moved through the halls of the state Capitol, hoping to talk to any lawmaker she could find.
“I’ve been walking around trying to grab people,” said Adams, president of Albuquerque-based Southwest Gastroenterology.
Her goal was to persuade lawmakers to approve a bill that would cap medical malpractice payouts at $750,000 for independent outpatient health care facilities that are not majority-owned by a hospital.
If Senate Bill 296 fails, several providers Read More
Lawmakers Push $60,000 Pay Hike For New Mexico Governor And Five Other Elected Officials
The Roundhouse in Santa Fe. Post file photo
By DANIEL J. CHACÓN
The Santa Fe New Mexican
George W. Bush was serving his first term as president and the first season of American Idol premiered on TV the last time the governor of New Mexico received a salary increase.
Not just the governor but the attorney general, secretary of state, auditor, treasurer and state land commissioner haven’t seen raises in more than two decades.
Three high-ranking Senate Democrats are championing a proposal to give them each a nearly $60,000 raise.
Whether the five-figure salary increase should take effect Read More
House Panel OKs Bill Opposing Nuclear Waste Storage Plan
By ROBERT NOTT
The Santa Fe New Mexican
A bill that would stymie, if not stop, efforts to build a radioactive waste disposal storage site in the southeastern part of the state is getting closer to the legislative finish line.
The House Government, Elections and Indian Affairs Committee voted 6-3 Saturday to approve Senate Bill 53, which would prohibit the storage and disposal of radioactive materials or waste in New Mexico unless the state has agreed to the creation of the disposal facility and unless the federal government has already created a permanent nuclear waste repository.
The Senate Read More
After Debating Smells Senate OKs Green Chile Aroma Bill
By DAVID L. CHACÓN
The Santa Fe New Mexico
A good-natured debate took place Saturday on the Senate floor and on Twitter over a proposal to make the smell of roasting green chile the official aroma of New Mexico.
Senate Bill 188, which is heading to the House after winning approval in the Senate, has captured national attention, including on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, whose host recently joked he thought New Mexico’s official aroma “was an abandoned RV that a bobcat is living in.”
Before the bill passed the Senate 31-4, Sen. Cliff Pirtle, a Roswell Republican, introduced an amendment Read More
Orphan Well Clean Up Accelerating In New Mexico Thanks To Bipartisan Infrastructure Funding
Plugging crew gathers at an orphan well. Courtesy/EMNRD
OCD SE NM Inspections Supervisor Gilbert Cordero witnessing methane monitoring at an orphan well. Courtesy/EMNRD
EMNRD News:
SANTA FE — Over the past several months, the New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD) has made a major positive impact on the environment by beginning to plug orphan oil and gas wells across the state using funds provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Since September 2022, EMNRD’s Oil Conservation Division has prevented more than 46,000 kilograms per year of methane from Read More
Legislative Roundup: 20 Days Remain In 2023 Session
Legislative RoundupThe Santa Fe New Mexican
Rural air service expansion: A measure supporters hope would make more airplane flight options available to rural New Mexico unanimously passed the Senate Tax, Business and Transportation Committee on Saturday.
Senate Bill 433 would expand the state’s existing Rural Air Service Enhancement Grant Program, letting municipalities with small airports like Las Cruces, Hobbs, Carlsbad and Alamogordo compete for grants of up to $2.5 million to entice planes that can carry up to 100 passengers. Currently, only small planes carrying up to 30 passengers Read More
Concerns Crop Up About Old Assault Charges Against New Mexico Indian Affairs Appointee
The Roundhouse in Santa Fe. Courtesty photo
By DANIEL J. CHACÓN And ROBERT NOTT
dchacon@sfnewmexican.com
rnott@sfnewmexican.com
Critics are questioning whether old sexual assault charges should disqualify Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s pick to run the New Mexico Indian Affairs Department.
James Mountain, a former governor of San Ildefonso Pueblo and the governor’s appointee to be the next secretary of Indian Affairs, was accused of rape in 2007 and indicted on a number of charges, including kidnapping and aggravated battery, the following year. The case was dismissed in 2010 after the Read More
New Mexico Center On Law And Poverty: Ask Legislators To Pass HB 400 ‘Medicaid Forward’
Courtesy/New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty
By New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty
- Contact House Health and Human Services Committee members this weekend
We all deserve access to high quality, affordable healthcare. But for far too long, New Mexico families have been forced to delay or go without the medical care they need because healthcare is too expensive. This legislative session, our state has a historic opportunity to open up the Medicaid program and ensure every New Mexican has access to affordable care.
Medicaid is a robust, comprehensive program that already provides high-quality Read More
Governor Issues Statement On Shooting Of Feral Cattle In New Mexico By U.S. Forest Service
From the Office of the Governor:
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham issued the following statement Friday in response to the U.S. Forest Service shooting of feral cattle in the Gila Wilderness, which began Friday:
“While I understand the challenge the U.S. Forest Service is rightly trying to solve, I am disappointed in their lack of meaningful, long-term engagement with New Mexico stakeholders on controversial matters like this one.
“Whether debating prescribed burns or wildlife management, it is imperative that New Mexicans who live and work in and near impacted areas are allowed the time to be Read More
Legislative Roundup: 21 Days Remain In 2023 Session
Legislative Roundup
The Santa Fe New Mexican
Charter school cap fails: Charter school advocates came out in force today for a Senate Education Committee hearing on Senate Bill 422, which would prohibit charter schools from opening in any district where at least 10% of students already attend charter schools.
Sen. Mimi Stewart, D-Albuquerque, said SB 422, which she co-sponsored, will provide a more level playing field for traditional public schools competing with state-funded charters for resources. Over time, she said, it’s possible the state will have to close some traditional Read More
Op-Ed: New Mexico Bill Poised To Make Meaningful Special Education Changes
Contributors to this Op-Ed:
Joel Davis, NM Developmental Disability Council Chair & parent, Katie Stone, NMDD Council Vice-chair & parent, Jennifer D. Sanchez, CFPSW NMDD Council Secretary & parent, Valentín Anaya, NMDD Council Treasurer, & parent, John Arango NMDD Council Past Chair & parent
By NMDD Council Members:
HB 285, the Special Education Act, begins the process of transformation long overdue in special education and will ultimately improve the outcomes for disabled students statewide. It’s about time.
- Only 64% of students receiving special education
Nathan: Better Board Practices Lead To Better Schools
By FRED NATHAN
Executive Director
Think New Mexico
School boards are an often undervalued piece of the puzzle in improving New Mexico’s public schools.
They play a critically important role in setting the tone, culture, and expectations for the schools they oversee.
Last year, Think New Mexico published a report titled: A Roadmap for Rethinking Public Education in New Mexico, which proposed a sweeping ten-point plan with 30 separate legislative recommendations to improve the performance of New Mexico’s public schools. One of those planks highlighted research demonstrating that local Read More
House Bill 445 Gives Law Enforcement More Tools To Combat Human Trafficking In New Mexico
Mark Probasco
Deputy Director of Special Prosecutions
New Mexico Office of the Attorney General
By ROBERT NOTT
The Santa Fe New Mexican
After hearing sometimes raw testimony from victims of human trafficking, members of the House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee unanimously voted Wednesday in support of a bill that would enact tougher penalties for the crime.
House Bill 445 also would broaden the definition of human trafficking and require those convicted of the crime to register as sex offenders in the state.
In cases in which the trafficking victim is an undercover cop, the bill would Read More
Score! Bill To Make Monday After Super Bowl A State Holiday Advances To Budget Committee At Legislature
Courtesy/wikipedia
By DANIEL J. CHACÓN
The Santa Fe New Mexican
Two Republican senators proposing to designate the Monday after the Super Bowl an official holiday in New Mexico scored a touchdown Thursday with the Senate Indian, Rural and Cultural Affairs Committee.
The committee endorsed Senate Bill 483, which would establish the second Monday in February as a legal holiday in the state called “Football Monday,” on a 4-2 vote.
“I think the holiday should be for the NCAA championship,” joked Sen. Shannon Pinto, D-Tohatchi, who voted against the bill along with Sen. Daniel Ivey-Soto, D-Albuquerque. Read More
New Mexico Paid Medical Leave Bill Heads To Full Senate
Sen. William Burt
By DANIEL J. CHACÓN
Santa Fe New Mexican
A contentious proposal that would entitle employees in New Mexico to up to 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave is headed to the full Senate for what promises to be a hard-fought debate on the floor.
Senate Bill 11 narrowly made it out of the Senate Finance Committee on a 6-5 vote Thursday after a 3½-hour hearing that drew stiff opposition to the measure from Republicans.
“It’s an undue burden on small business,” Sen. William Burt, (R-Alamogordo). “It’s a tax on small business.”
Sen. George Muñoz, (D-Gallup), who chairs the committee, Read More
Legislative Roundup: 22 Days Remain In 2023 Session
Legislative RoundupThe Santa Fe New Mexican
Let’s sleep in: The Sleep Foundation recently reported about 58% of middle school students and 73% of high schoolers are not getting enough sleep.
A House Democrat wants lawmakers to consider changing the start time for high schools.
House Memorial 56, introduced by Rep. Joy Garratt, D-Albuquerque, asks the interim Legislative Education Study Committee to work with students, school officials and the Public Education Department on a study of the issue and to make recommendations.
The memorial says the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends Read More
Los Alamos County Gathers Input On CIPs
Los Alamos County Manager Steven Lynne
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
As Los Alamos County prepares the FY2024 budget and a 10-year capital improvement project (CIP) projection, County Manager Steven Lynne stated community input is sought on 10 potential new assets.
During a town hall meeting Tuesday night, Lynne said maintenance of existing facilities is not included in the list of potential CIP projects since it is already designated a higher priority. Lynne reported on the existing and potential CIPs. A second town hall will be held at 6 p.m. today at White Read More
House OKs New High School Graduation Requirements
Rep. Andrés Romero
By ROBERT NOTT
The Santa Fe New Mexican
A bill updating New Mexico’s high school graduation requirements for the first time in over 15 years has made its way halfway through the legislative marathon.
The state House of Representatives voted 64-3 to approve House Bill 126 Wednesday. The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Andrés Romero, D-Albuquerque, told members of the House it is designed to keep students invested in high school and give them more options for classes that may speak to their post-school career needs.
“We need to reengage,” said Romero, an Albuquerque Read More
Senate Bill 418 Would Change Oil And Gas Law To Ease Environmental Impacts In New Mexico
The Roundhouse in Santa Fe. Post file photo
By SCOTT WYLAND
The Santa Fe New Mexican
A bill that advocates say would modernize the state’s Oil and Gas Act to consider impacts on the environment and disadvantaged front-line communities will go before the Senate Conservation Committee Thursday.
Senate Bill 418 contains a beefy list of proposed changes to the 87-year-old law, but the linchpins are more emphasis on combating climate change and pollution that can harm public health, especially in neighborhoods, schools and businesses near fossil fuel operations — which research shows Read More
Senate Backs Bill To End Life Without Parole For Juveniles
SB 64 Lead Sponsor Sen. 
, D-Albuquerque
By DANIEL J. CHACÓN
The Santa Fe New Mexican
After faltering last year amid pushback from district attorneys, a revised bill that would end life without parole as a sentencing option for youthful offenders passed the Senate with bipartisan support Wednesday.
“When children cause harm in our community, yes, we must hold them accountable. But we must hold them accountable in ways that leave room for their potential to experience transformation, positive transformation,” said Sen. Antoinette Sedillo Lopez, D-Albuquerque, the lead sponsor of Senate Read More
