Political News

Gender-Free Restrooms Bill Passes House

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 4, 2019
HOUSE DEMOCRATS News:
 
SANTA FE ― The House of Representatives has passed a measure to establish gender-free restrooms for single-occupant restrooms in places of public accommodation.
 
House Bill 388/a, sponsored by Rep. Angelica Rubio (D-Las Cruces), will ensure that women, families, the LGBTQ+ community, and New Mexicans with disabilities feel safe when accessing the restroom.
 
According to a study by the Williams Institute Manager of Transgender Research, 70% of transgender and gender-nonconforming participants experienced problems, including violence and
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Naphesh: $300 Mil Pays The Bill

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 4, 2019
By TSIPORAH NEPHESH
Executive Director
New Mexico Thrives
 
When you finish eating at a restaurant, you get a bill, and you pay for it. Simple, right? But what if you just left, without paying the tab? What if you “dined and dashed”?
 
Most would say, that’s not right. But that’s how state government has been run for eight years. Schools have been in session. Cars have traveled our roads. New Mexicans have gotten the flu or broken an arm and have needed medical services. But state government has dined and dashed. The schools have been starved. The roads have been crumbling. Health care has
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Bill To Limit Property Tax Break Advances

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 4, 2019
Matthew Lobato of the Santa Fe County Assessor’s Offfice uses a handheld laser Thursday to make measurements so he can create an exterior footprint sketch of a new home. Photo by Gabriela Campos/The New Mexican
 
Christopher Oakeley of the Santa Fe County Assessor’s Office looks along an exterior wall and makes measurements using a laser device Thursday on Las Brisas Street in Santa Fe. Photo by Gabriela Campos/The New Mexican
 
By THOM COLE
A state House committee on Thursday approved legislation to eliminate a property tax break enjoyed
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Letter To The Editor: Red Vs. Blue

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 4, 2019
By AARON WALKER
Los Alamos
 
For too long, the game of “Red Vs. Blue” politics has been played at the national level. We cheer for our “team” to win, regardless of WHO that person really is or what they stand for.
 
We look for the “R” or “D” on the ballot and check the box without thinking. Political news is not about legislation, but rather about one side attacking the other. This kind of thinking and actions are not limited to one side. Both major parties engage in belittling the others in an attempt to gain momentum for their party or attention. Both sides introduce legislation in hopes to
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House Passes Safety Measure For Hotel Employees

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 3, 2019
HOUSE DEMOCRATS News:
 
SANTA FE ― Thursday, the House of Representatives passed House Bill 139/a sponsored by Rep. Elizabeth “Liz” Thomson (D-Albuquerque) to protect hotel employees from violence, sexual harassment, or other emergencies by providing a panic button for employees who work alone.
 
“This is a common-sense measure that is an industry best practice. A panic button is a tool for hotel employees that work alone to keep themselves safe while doing their job. There is no reason why any New Mexico worker should feel vulnerable or threatened while at work, and I am glad to see
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Governor Fills Pair Of Supreme Court Seats

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 3, 2019
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham
 
STATE News:
 
SANTA FE ― Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has announced her selections for a pair of judicial vacancies, one each in the Sixth Judicial District and in the Second Judicial District, Criminal Court:
 
  • James B. Foy: Sixth Judicial District; and
  • Daniel E. Ramczyk: Second Judicial District.
 
James Foy has been engaged in private practice in Silver City since 2005 and demonstrated expertise in New Mexico criminal law over a career of more than three decades. He was district attorney of the Sixth Judicial District for six years and a judge
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Los Alamos County Board Of Registration Reviews List Of Inactive Voters For Removal From Rolls

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 3, 2019

Los Alamos County Board of Registration met Tuesday to review a list of 211 inactive voters. Courtesy/LAC

COUNTY News:

The Los Alamos County Board of Registration (Board) met Tuesday, Feb. 26, to review the list of 211 inactive voters to ascertain whether they met the criteria to be purged from the voter rolls. 

The list of voters was compiled through unbiased efforts of the New Mexico Secretary of State (NM SOS), per the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, (NVRA). 

Los Alamos County Council appointed board members, which included Catherine Ozment (D); Chris Luchini (L) and Read More

Lawmakers Question Carbon Capture And Sequestration Tech Proposed In Plan To Keep San Juan Plant Running

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 3, 2019
Coal miners from San Juan County stand during a hearing Saturday on Senate Bill 489 before the state Senate Corporations and Transportation Committee. They pleaded with lawmakers to adopt an amendment to the bill that would allow the San Juan Generating Station to continue operating. Jane Phillips/For The New Mexican
 
Senate Bill 489, the sweeping Energy Transition Act, whips up tensions at a hearing Saturday before the state Senate Corporations and Transportation Committee. Jane Phillips/For The New Mexican
 
Senate Bill 489, the sweeping Energy Transition Act, whips up tensions
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Senate Finance Committee Restores Bill Creating Early Education Department

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 3, 2019
By ROBERT NOTT
Just days after the Senate Education Committee drastically pared down a bill creating a new early childhood education department — stripping much of its oversight of programs for young children — the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Michael Padilla, convinced another panel of lawmakers to reverse the changes.
 
The Senate Finance Committee unanimously approved an amendment Thursday undoing the earlier move, which would have torn the proposed new department in half.
 
“We heard a rallying cry that people want full
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Bill To Prevent Auto Theft Statewide Advances

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 3, 2019

STATE News:

SANTA FE – A bill to help prevent auto theft around the state has passed the House Judiciary Committee.

House Bill 529, sponsored by Rep. Raymundo Lara (D-Chamberino), would create an automobile theft prevention fund to help provide resources to prevent vehicle theft.

“This bill is about prevention,” Rep. Raymundo Lara said. “In order to lower our rates of auto theft, we have to create a comprehensive, statewide framework in connection with multiple law enforcement agencies throughout the state. We know this is an issue that many New Mexicans have been impacted by, and this bill Read More

Legislative Roundup: March 3

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 3, 2019

By The New Mexican

Days left in session: 13

Early childhood education: A proposed constitutional amendment to expand early childhood education might get its first hearing Monday in the Senate.

The big question is whether it can survive the Democrat-controlled Rules Committee.

House Joint Resolution 1 has been a priority for Democrats in the House of Representatives. But the Senate will be a tougher test.

Though Democrats have a 7-4 majority on the Rules Committee, a few of them might not be on board with the proposal, leaving its fate unclear. The panel will be one to watch come Monday morning Read More

House Oks Sweeping Tax Reform Along Party Lines

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 2, 2019
By ROBERT NOTT
 
The New Mexico House of Representatives approved a sweeping tax-reform bill late Friday night that would generate at least $320 million more each year for the state’s general fund.
 
Republican lawmakers critical of the move called it one of the biggest tax increases in New Mexico history.
 
The bill, approved on a vote of 40-25 after nearly three hours of debate, also would bring in $37 million per year in additional funding for state and local roadways.
 
Not surprisingly, the vote fell mostly along party lines, with two conservative
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Dyslexia Testing Bill Headed For Senate Floor

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 2, 2019
Clarence Efroymson, 11, sits in class as Corrie Shapiro, a 5th and 6th grade teacher at the May Center for Learning in Santa Fe, teaches a lesson Wednesday. Photo by Luis Sánchez Saturno/The New Mexican
 
Ben Becker, 11, reads ‘No Fear Shakespeare’ during class Wednesday at the May Center for Learning in Santa Fe. Photo by Luis Sánchez Saturno/The New Mexican
 
 
By ROBERT NOTT
The kids in his class called Francisco Sandoval dumb.
 
He couldn’t read when he was in the first and second grades, the 11-year-old told members
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New Mexico Senate Passes SB 131: Interagency Pharmacies Purchasing Council

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 2, 2019
NM SENATE News:
 
SANTA FE ― New Mexico has an opportunity to save millions of dollars a year in prescription drug costs for state agencies and its employees and retirees.  
 
Senate Bill 131, which passed Friday on the Senate floor, would create an interagency pharmaceutical council to coordinate prescription drug and pharmacy services for state agencies who purchase pharmaceutical drugs. The council would also look for cost savings opportunities for all New Mexicans who purchase prescription drugs.
 
“Using state buying power and bulk purchasing to negotiate for
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Balderas Calls On New Mexico Legislature To Protect Victims Of Horrific Child Abuse, Pass HB 488

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 2, 2019
Attorney General Hector Balderas
 
AG News:
 
SANTA FE ― Today, Attorney General Hector Balderas called on the New Mexico Legislature to pass House Bill 488, which would require all New Mexicans to report suspicion of child abuse to the proper authorities for prevention and intervention.
 
“New Mexicans have made it clear that the status quo isn’t good enough for our kids. They’re tired of the horrific crimes against children that run rampant across our state,” Attorney General Hector Balderas said. “The law, as it stands now, is far too narrow and doesn’t do enough to protect
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Legislative Roundup: March 2

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 2, 2019
Christina Castro of Three Sisters Collective drums and sings to conclude the presentations for the first Ingenious Women’s Day Friday at the Capitol Rotunda. Gabriela Campos/The New Mexican

A 2-year-old girl wearing a shirt that reads ‘We are all the village’ holds the hands of her caretakers Friday at the Capitol during Foster Parent Appreciation, Advocacy and Awareness Day. Gabriela Campos/The New Mexican

By The New Mexican

Days left in session: 14

Centers of excellence: The House of Representatives voted 50 to 14 to give a “do pass” recommendation to House Bill 7, which charges the Higher Read More

Governor Cheers House Passage Of Legislation Creating Centers Of Excellence; Supporting Hemp Production

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 1, 2019

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham

STATE News:

SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham issued the following statement today after the New Mexico House overwhelmingly, and with bipartisan support, approved a pair of important bills, one creating Centers of Excellence at New Mexico institutions of higher education, driving innovation in economic growth sectors and building closer links between research and industry; and the other expanding hemp production in New Mexico, first-of-its-kind legislation creating an important framework to encourage businesses and innovation.

“Centers of Excellence Read More

Local GOP Hosts Monthly Meeting 6 p.m. March 7

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 1, 2019

GOP News:

The Republican Party of Los Alamos County will hold its monthly meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 7 in Wallace Hall, Building 5 at UNM-LA.

A Central Committee meeting will be held 6-6:50 p.m. followed by a 10-minute break for refreshments.

At 7 p.m., there will be a special presentation, “Fatal Flaws, Legalizing Assisted Death”, Part 1. This presentation is open to the public. Read More

Legislation To Promote Clean Energy Jobs Advances

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 1, 2019
HOUSE DEMOCRATS News:
 
SANTA FE ― Thursday, the House Labor, Veterans & Military Affairs Committee advanced a measure to promote clean energy jobs.
 
House Bill 547, sponsored by Reps. Javier Martinez (D-Albuquerque) and Angelica Rubio (D-Las Cruces), creates a plan to leverage our resources to create new, good-paying jobs and grow the economy.  
 
House Bill 547 calls on the Department of Workforce Solutions to prepare a report that will examine the opportunities for and barriers to a transition to a clean energy economy and to specifically assess the impact on
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