Political News

Energy Bill’s Passage Portends End Of Coal Era In NM

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 13, 2019
Sen. Bill Sharer, R-Farmington
 
By STEVE TERRELL
The Legislature has moved to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s desk a controversial bill designed to dramatically increase the amount of renewable energy used to produce electricity in New Mexico while also helping the Public Service Company of New Mexico recoup its investments in the coal-burning San Juan Generating Station near Farmington.
 
Following a three-hour debate Tuesday, the House passed Senate Bill 489 by a margin of 43-22. It was a mostly party-line vote, with almost all Democrats
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U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich, Rob Portman Launch Bipartisan Artificial Intelligence Caucus

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 13, 2019

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Rob Portman (R-Ohio) announced today the formation of the bipartisan Senate Artificial Intelligence (AI) Caucus.

AI is a transformative technology with implications spanning a number of fields including transportation, health care, agriculture, manufacturing and national security. The AI Caucus will help connect members and staff with AI experts in private industry, academia and the executive branch.

“I am proud to announce the formation of the bipartisan AI Caucus in the Senate with Sen. Rob Portman,” Read More

Key Senate Panel Adjusts State Spending Plan

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 13, 2019
By ANDREW OXFORD
A key Senate committee unveiled 123 different changes Monday to a $7 billion state budget approved by the House of Representatives, tweaking proposed raises for school teachers, funding for a marquee economic development program and plans to bring back soccer at the University of New Mexico.
 
The budget would mark an 11 percent increase over the current year’s spending plan as New Mexico enjoys a windfall of tax revenue from an oil and gas boom and as the new Democratic governor, Michelle Lujan Grisham, sets out an agenda that includes
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NM Senator Wants To Rein In Tax Hike Proposals

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 13, 2019
Rep. Jim Trujillo, D-Santa Fe, sponsor of House Bill 6, speaks on behalf of the tax legislation Tuesday during a Senate Corporations and Transportation Committee hearing. Photo by Gabriela Campos/The New Mexican
 
By ANDREW OXFORD
The chairman of an influential Senate committee proposes to strip out big pieces of a sprawling tax bill, scrapping a proposed increase in New Mexico’s personal income tax rates and scaling back a suggested increase in a credit for families.
 
For backers of House Bill 6, the measure is key to making the tax system
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Los Alamos School Board Elects New Officers

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 13, 2019
The Los Alamos School Board elected new officers at Tuesday’s School Board Meeting. All three were elected unanimously, with Board Secretary Andrea Cunningham participating by phone. New officers from left, President Ellen Ben-Naim, Vice President Steve Boerigter and Secretary Jennifer McCumber. Ben-Naim previously served as vice president and McCumber was president. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.com.
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Emergency 9-1-1 To Get Improved Technical Backup

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 13, 2019
SENATE News:
 
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Senate has passed a bill that moves the E911 services to the Department of Information and Technology (DoIT) from the Department of Finance and Administration.  
 
The sponsor of the bill, Senator Gregg Fulfer said the new department is better suited to support the technical aspects of the E911 services.
 
“The people at 9-1-1 are the first ones  you call in a dire emergency. This bill helps the  9-1-1 service get the best equipment possible to help them provide their emergency help. The new department is better suited to provide
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Senate Votes To Create Outdoor Recreation Division

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 13, 2019
By MILAN SIMONICH
The New Mexico Senate voted 38-0 Monday for a bill creating a division of outdoor recreation, one of the favored initiatives of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.
 
It is not to be a promotional agency but one that would be responsible for building the private-sector economy by helping businesses find ways to draw more visitors to New Mexico’s rivers, forests, caverns and peaks.
 
The proposal, Senate Bill 462, next moves to the House of Representatives, where the Democratic leadership will fast-track it. The legislative session
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New Mexico Senate Nixes School Bus Air Conditioners After Hot Debate

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 12, 2019
By MILAN SIMONICH
Few issues have fired up the New Mexico Senate this session like a bill to require air conditioning on school buses in hot locales.
 
After a vigorous, hourlong debate Saturday, senators defeated the proposal by a vote of 23-16.
 
Sen. Jeff Steinborn, D-Las Cruces, sponsor of Senate Bill 321, said installing air conditioners on school buses is a matter of public safety. The state is responsible for buying the buses. Drivers and kids are better protected if they are kept comfortable, he said.
 
Skeptical colleagues gave him
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UNM-LA Students Named To PTK All State Team

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 11, 2019

UNM-LA students Annika Vestrand and Aaron Waller, members of 2019 Phi Theta Kappa New Mexico All-State Community College Academic Team, meet State Rep. Christine Chandler during the Legislative session. Courtesy photo

From left, Dr. Cindy Rooney, Dr. Sharon Hurley, Annika Vestrand, Aaron Waller, Kathryn Vigil, and Maryjane Giesler visited the Legislature Feb. 13 on Community College Day. Courtesy photo

UNM-LA News:

UNM-Los Alamos (UNM-LA) students Annika Vestrand and Aaron Waller were recognized during the State Legislative Session Feb. 13 in Santa Fe as members of the 2019 Phi Theta Read More

Grazing Fee Decreases For 2019 Agricultural Leases

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 11, 2019

State Land Office News:

SANTA FE – The State Land Office (SLO), in accordance with NMAC 19.2.8.11, has updated the fee assessed to ranchers and farmers who lease state trust land for livestock grazing.

The amount is determined annually using a formula that accounts for various factors such as private grazing land lease rates, beef cattle prices, and the cost of livestock production. The formula has been used to determine rental rates for livestock grazing since 1988.

“I’m happy to announce this decrease in fees to all 2019 agricultural leases of our state trust land. This is an important part Read More

Annual Recuerda César Chávez Day March & Fiesta

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 11, 2019

NHCC News:

ALBUQUERQUE – Civil rights and labor leader César Chávez was born March 31, 1927 in Yuma, Ariz. Every year since his untimely death (1993), the Recuerda a César Chávez Committee has commemorated the birth of this humble civil rights leader by marching in his honor and celebrating his life with music, dancing, poetry and fun, culturally enriched activities for children.

This event is designed to educate the entire family about César Chávez and the farm worker movement. The Recuerda a César Chávez Committee is made up of organizations and individual volunteers who want to see Read More

Chandler: Editorial Shows Short-Term Thinking

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 11, 2019

By Rep. Christine Chandler (D-Los Alamos)

As a freshman legislator, I surprised many people by asking to sit on the House Taxation and Revenue Committee. Few people think that such subjects are interesting, let alone desirable. I disagree. They are at the heart of how our state government functions.

One of our primary jobs as legislators is to ensure that the state can provide the services and infrastructure – education, roads and highways, public safety, and more – that are needed and relied upon by our businesses, families, and communities. It’s the Legislature’s job to craft the budgets that Read More

Ringside Seat: Welcome To The Real March Madness

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 11, 2019
By MILAN SIMONICH
 
In civilized America, nothing is quite so frenetic as the last week of a 60-day session of the New Mexico Legislature.
 
Hundreds of bills — some critical, some so stupid they appear to have been introduced as a joke — are still in play. Even some of the worst ones have a chance to receive approval before the session ends at noon Saturday.
 
The 42 senators and 70 members of the House of Representatives are sleep deprived and under pressure. Some are irritable. A few appear enraged.
 
What’s it like to be a freshman
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Legislative Roundup: March 11

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 11, 2019
The Roundhouse in Santa Fe. Courtesy/SFNM
 
By The New Mexican
 
Days remaining in the session: 5
 
And now, the deal-making: A bill approved by the House of Representatives to put in place a statewide ethics commission at last received a hearing Sunday in the Senate Rules Committee. But it was pushed far down the agenda, and most of the panel’s members left the room as soon as the issue came up.
 
The result: The committee didn’t vote on the measure.
 
The Rules Committee chairwoman, Sen. Linda Lopez, D-Albuquerque, has her own bill to set up the commission.
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U.S. Senators Udall And Heinrich Introduce Legislation To Celebrate, Honor Successes Of Indigenous Women

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 11, 2019
U.S. SENATE News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Senators Tom Udall, vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, and Martin Heinrich introduced a resolution to celebrate and honor the successes of indigenous women across the country.
 
This resolution recognizes the heritage, culture, and contributions of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian women in the United States, highlighting the importance of promoting equity, providing safety, and upholding the interests of strong, diverse women.
 
“During Women’s History Month, let us reflect on the
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Governor: House Bill 7 Will Drive Innovation, Job Creation And Business Development

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 10, 2019
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham
 
From the Office of the Governor:
 
SANTA FE – Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham issued the following statement Friday after the New Mexico Senate overwhelmingly approved House Bill 7, bipartisan legislation that will create Centers of Excellence at four institutions of higher learning, transforming our universities into genuine economic engines that will grow industries and create jobs across the state. The House overwhelmingly approved the bipartisan legislation March 1.
 
“We need to pave the way to exciting career opportunities
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Udall Introduces Alamogordo Native VFW Commander-In-Chief To Present Legislative Agenda To Congress

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 10, 2019

U.S. Sen. Tom Udall introduces Vincent ‘B.J.’ Lawrence, Commander-in-Chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) in Alamogordo who has dedicated a lifetime of service to New Mexico and the United State. Courtesy image

U.S. SENATE News:

 
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Sen. Tom Udall introduced Vincent “B.J.” Lawrence, Commander-in-Chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), to present the VFW’s legislative agenda for the year at a joint hearing hosted by the Senate and House Committees on Veterans’ Affairs.
 
During the hearing, Commander Lawrence advocated for important VFW legislative
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Rep. Miguel Garcia Measure To Secure Personal Information Advances In Senate Committee

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 10, 2019

The Roundhouse in Santa Fe. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

STATE News:

SANTA FE – The Sensitive Personal Information Protection Act has passed the Senate Public Affairs Committee. House Bill 141, sponsored by Rep. Miguel Garcia (D-Albuquerque), creates a clear and strong confidentiality policy that keeps certain sensitive personal information from being disclosed by state employees.

The protected information would include social security numbers, Individual Tax ID numbers, a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability, immigration status, Read More

Military Veterans, Active-Duty Personnel To Be Honored At 2019 Military & Veterans Day At Legislature March 11

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 10, 2019

STATE News:

SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is scheduled to lead the tributes to military veterans and active-service personnel Monday, March 11 during Military and Veterans Day at the 2019 Legislature at the State Capitol in Santa Fe.

This is the annual day during the legislative session presented by the New Mexico National Guard and the New Mexico Department of Veterans Services (DVS) to honor service members and veterans for their military service.

At a noon ceremony in the Rotunda, the Governor will be joined by DVS Secretary Judy Griego and New Mexico Army National Guard Maj. Gen. Read More

Legislative Roundup: March 10

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 10, 2019

Nidia Martinez and other members of Mariachi Fiesta brought some life, color and music to the Capitol Rotunda Saturday in Santa Fe. Robert Nott/The New Mexican

 
By The Santa Fe New Mexican
 
Days left in session: 6
 
Film cap increases: The Senate Corporations and Transportation Committee unanimously approved a bill that would raise New Mexico’s annual cap on tax rebates for film production companies that shoot in the state to $110 million from $50 million.
 
Filmmakers can qualify for 25 percent tax rebates on qualified expenses for projects shot in New Mexico.
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