2019 Session … What Lawmakers Did, Didn’t Do…
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on March 17, 2019
Rep. Bill Pratt, D-Albuquerque, talks with Rep. Andrea Romero, D-Santa Fe, at the Roundhouse on final day of the 2019 session Saturday. Robert Nott/The New Mexican
Denéé Reyes plays a gospel tune in the Capitol Rotunda just after the Legislature adjourned at noon on final day of the 2019 session Saturday. Robert Nott/The New Mexican
Compiled by Milan Simonich, Andrew Oxford and Robert Nott
New Mexican Staff
Here’s a capsule view of what happened during the state Legislature’s 60-day session that ended Saturday.
Not so high: No, New Mexico isn’t legalizing
Read More U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich Announces $14.9 Million Air Force Contract For Albuquerque Space Company
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on March 17, 2019
U.S. SENATE News:WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, has announced that the U.S. Air Force awarded Albuquerque company LoadPath, LLC a $14,899,737 contract to assist the Air Force Research Laboratory at Kirtland Air Force Base with advanced spacecraft systems.
“This is another big step forward in building New Mexico’s integral role in major advances in the development of the military’s more responsive and resilient space architecture,” Heinrich said. “I’m proud that New Mexico has become a Center
Read More 2019 New Mexico Legislative Session Has Ended
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on March 16, 2019
DPNM News:
Today is the last day of the 2019 New Mexico legislative session and Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s first session as our chief executive. In celebration, Democratic Party of New Mexico Chair Marg Elliston released this statement:
“Transformative—that’s how you describe this session. From investments in our children, working families, renewable energy, and infrastructure, to overdue changes like decriminalization of cannabis, common sense gun safety, and raising the minimum wage, New Mexico is on the move.
“Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s clear vision for the state shone bright Read More
Letter To The Editor: Minimum Wage Bill
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on March 16, 2019
By TERRY GOLDMANLos Alamos
Sen. William Sharer (R-Farmington) is quoted as saying: “Most of us can’t all of a sudden take a 21 per cent increase” [in the minimum wage].
But over the last eight years, Gov. Martinez’s vetoes of all minimum wage increases were allowed to stand. Did the Senator work for compromises that would have provided for increases of 2 to 3 percent a year, which could have been ‘taken’, gradually?
How can we take his concern regarding ‘suddenness’ seriously if he made no effort to prevent it by forging
Read More Balderas Announces Grand Jury Indictment Of Guardianship Angels CEO Pamela Crumpler
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on March 16, 2019
Attorney General Hector BalderasAG News:
ALBUQUERQUE ― Attorney General Hector Balderas has announced the grand jury indictment of Pamela Crumpler, CEO of Guardian Angels. Crumpler is indicted on two counts, including 2nd-degree felony Embezzlement (Over $20,000), and 3rd-degree felony Tampering with Evidence.
“No one should take advantage of vulnerable individuals in our community,” Balderas said. “We are prepared to present this case at trial.”
Crumpler faces a total jurisdiction of 12 years in the New Mexico Department of Corrections.
Read More Gov. Lujan Grisham Signs Senate Bill 10, Significantly Boosting Small Business Investment
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on March 16, 2019
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham Wednesday signing Senate Bill 10. Courtesy photoSTATE News:
SANTA FE ― Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Wednesday signed Senate Bill 10, doubling the funding for the state Small Business Investment Corporation, delivering $50 million into new and growing New Mexico small businesses.
For almost two decades, the self-sustaining SBIC has supported small businesses across New Mexico through loans to finance business expansion and job creation.
Both chambers overwhelmingly approved the legislation.
“This is a perfect example
Read More USFS Moves Forward With Massive Timber Sale
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on March 16, 2019
Defenders of Wildlife Senior Alaska Representative Patrick LavinFOREST News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― The U.S. Forest Service has announced that it is signing the Record of Decision for the Prince of Wales Landscape Level Analysis Project today, March 16.
The project entails widespread old-growth clearcutting on the largest island in our nation’s largest forest. In 2016, the USFS committed to a transition out of old-growth logging and away from uneconomical and destructive timber sales like this proposal.
Defenders of Wildlife Senior Alaska Representative, Patrick
Read More Governor Signs Education Legislation
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on March 16, 2019
STATE News:
SANTA FE – Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Friday signed three bills that will create new and boost existing education efforts across the state, welcoming legislative sponsors to brief signing ceremonies in the Cabinet Room.
Senate Bill 576 increases access to area vocational high schools by removing restrictions on where those schools can be located. The new law also places the responsibility of approving such a school solely in the hands of the Public Education Department.
House Bill 7 establishes four centers of excellence at colleges and universities Read More
Udall Statement On EPA Methylene Chloride Rule
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on March 16, 2019
U.S. Sen. Tom Udall U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― Friday, U.S. Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.), ranking member on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, issued the following statement on EPA’s final rule on methylene chloride:
“The Trump administration has again failed to live up to the letter and spirit of the historic bipartisan reform of TSCA that Congress passed in 2016. In that law, we explicitly authorized EPA’s work to ban methylene chloride-based paint strippers because of their dangerous effects on both workers
Read More Senate, House Reach Deal On $7 Billion State Budget
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on March 16, 2019
By ANDREW OXFORDThe New Mexico Senate and House of Representatives appeared to have an agreement on a $7 billion state budget late Friday after ironing out differences over pay for educators, funding for roads and college athletics.
In the end, the biggest sticking point turned out to be a tiny but politically fraught piece of the spending plan: $700,000 for legislators to hire additional staff.
The House passed the budget Feb. 21 and the Senate approved a series of changes on Wednesday. But the House did not accept those changes, spurring a round
Read More Heinrich, Gardner Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation To Address Workforce Shortage In Tech Industry
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on March 15, 2019
U.S. Sen. Martin HeinrichU.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) reintroduced the Championing Apprenticeships for New Careers and Employees in Technology (CHANCE in Tech) Act Wednesday to provide workers from all backgrounds with the skills and training they need to fill good-paying tech jobs.
The American economy is dependent on the technology industry to create jobs and expand economic growth. In New Mexico, the average tech industry wage is $87,400 a year, which is almost double the average state wage.
Read More Senate Panel Pares Back Proposed Tax Increases
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on March 15, 2019
Corporations and Transportation Committee Chair Sen. Clemente SanchezBy ANDREW OXFORD
A Senate committee rolled back proposed tax increases in a sprawling bill that would change rates on internet sales, car purchases, e-cigarettes and more.
House Bill 6 represented a push by top Democrats in the House of Representatives to shore up the state’s finances, which now rest largely on revenue from oil and gas. But it prompted plenty of skepticism for threatening to raise taxes for many New Mexicans at a time when the state enjoys a hefty budget
Read More Senate, House Differ On Details Of Hefty State Budget
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on March 15, 2019
By ANDREW OXFORDThe New Mexico House of Representatives rejected the Senate’s proposed budget on Wednesday, raising objections related to teacher pay, road funding and the pension plan for public employees.
The differences are not insurmountable, leaders in both chambers insisted, but they delayed final action on a whopping $7 billion spending plan.
The Senate approved its version earlier in the day with a vote of 39 to 2. But the House voted overwhelmingly against that budget, leaving some questions over how to divvy up appropriations
Read More Minimum Wage Fight Continues As Session Nears End
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on March 15, 2019
The Roundhouse in Santa Fe. Courtesy/SFNMBy ROBERT NOTT
The state House of Representatives and the Senate may be on a collision course when it comes to how best to reset New Mexico’s minimum wage law, a priority issue for Democrats in this year’s legislative session.
That’s because the House on Wednesday night refused to budge on its proposal to the raise the statewide minimum wage to $12 an hours by Jan. 1, 2022 and then increase it in future years with a cost-of-living bump.
The Senate, however, has approved a more modest
Read More Coyote-Killing Contest Ban Now Up To Governor
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on March 15, 2019
Bill 76 Co-sponsor Sen. Mark Moores, R-AlbuquerqueBy ROBERT NOTT
The Legislature has sent Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham a bill that would outlaw coyote killing contests in New Mexico.
A 37-30 vote late Tuesday by the House of Representatives to pass Senate Bill 76 came after the Senate approved the measure last week on a vote of 22-17.
As to whether the governor plans to sign it into law, spokesman Tripp Stelnicki said Wednesday only that, “At this point, we’re reviewing the legislation.”
The House vote came after
Read More Education Spending Plans Go To The Governor
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on March 15, 2019
By ROBERT NOTTThe state Senate and House of Representatives approved identical plans Wednesday for how New Mexico should spend a big boost in public education funding, sending the two measures to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.
Both Senate Bill 1 and House Bill 5 provide for an additional $450 million in public education spending next year, including $113 million aimed at providing support for at-risk students and an extra $38 million to increase teacher pay.
While much of the content of the bills mirrored earlier versions debated last week, there
Read More Legislative Roundup: March 15
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on March 15, 2019
By The New MexicanDays left in session: 1
Recreational marijuana unlikely: The likelihood that New Mexicans will be able to access legal recreational cannabis is fading away.
On Friday, Rep. Antonio “Moe” Maestas, D-Albuquerque, said he thought the bill “probably will not get heard” in the Senate Finance Committee, where it’s been sitting since the House of Representatives voted 36-34 to approve the proposal.
Friday is the last full day of the session and the last planned meeting of the Senate Finance Committee, chaired by Sen.
Read More Bill Expunging Criminal Records Clears NM Senate
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on March 14, 2019
By MILAN SIMONICHCommitting a crime might be easy enough. Getting a criminal record expunged in New Mexico is more difficult than almost anywhere in the West.
Now that is close to changing. The New Mexico Senate on Wednesday voted 28-13 for a bill clearing the way for both the wrongly accused — and those who committed certain crimes — to petition a court for expunction of those records.
The proposal, House Bill 370, probably would be most important to people convicted of drug offenses or lower-level property crimes.
But even
Read More Superintendent Kurt Steinhaus Briefs School Board On Impact Of Decisions At Legislature
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on March 14, 2019
LAPS Superintendent Kurt Steinhaus updates school board members Tuesday evening on developments at the New Mexico Legislature. Photo by Bonnie Gordon/ladailypost.comBy BONNIE GORDON
Los Alamos Daily Post
bjgordon@ladailypost.com
During Tuesday’s meeting, Los Alamos Public Schools Superintendent Kurt Steinhaus updated school board members on developments at the New Mexico Legislature and what they mean for LAPS.
Steinhaus first outlined what he finds encouraging:
- Although there is a 20 percent reduction in the special funding for small-sized schools, the reduction is
Senate Bill To Ban Coyote Killing Contests Passes NM Legislature, Advances To Governor’s Desk
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on March 14, 2019
APV News:SANTA FE ― Tuesday, by a vote of 37-30, the New Mexico House of Representatives passed Senate Bill (SB) 76 to prohibit coyote killing contests statewide.
Having passed the New Mexico Senate by a vote of 22-17 last month, Senate Bill 76 will advance to the desk of Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham.
Animal Protection Voters (APV) applauds the New Mexico Legislature for passing SB 76, a culmination of work to draw attention to and outlaw coyote killing contests since APV first attended and documented a carcass check-in of a contest held in 1999 in southwestern New Mexico.
Read More 
