Political News

Bill To Increase Accountability, Remove Pensions From Elected Officials Convicted Of Corruption Advances

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 23, 2019

Rep. Matthew McQueen

STATE News:

SANTA FE – Today, a bill to add more accountability to those in publicly elected positions passed the House Judiciary Committee. House Bill 169, sponsored by Rep. Matthew McQueen (D-Galisteo), would remove the pension of an elected official if they are convicted of abusing their position of power.

“Elected officials are in a position of trust and if that trust is abused, New Mexicans deserve to know that they will be held accountable,” Rep. Matthew McQueen. “We need to hold our elected officials to a higher standard to restore trust and transparency in our government.” Read More

Rep. Christine Chandler Champions Fair Wages Bill To Prevent Wage Theft … Now Heads To House Floor

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 23, 2019

Rep. Christine Chandler

STATE News:

SANTA FE – The House Judiciary Committee passed Rep. Christine Chandler’s (D-Los Alamos) bill Friday to champion fair wages and benefits for workers. House Bill 246, regarding the Prevailing Wage, protects workers adversely affected by wage theft.

House Bill 246 ensures that New Mexicans are paid a fair wage for a hard day’s work by closing loopholes, providing a complaint resolution process, and increases penalties for violations. Addressing these issues in the Prevailing Wage law will keep jobs local, workplaces safe, and ensure quality workmanship Read More

Legislative Roundup: Feb. 23

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 23, 2019

Bob Finch, a retired TV production worker and engineer, addresses an Americans for Prosperity rally Friday outside the state Capitol in Santa Fe. Luis Sánchez Saturno/The New Mexican

DuWayne Shaver, school choir and band director from Capitan, directs the defending state choir champions in A-AAA, for 2018 during a performance Friday at the Rotunda in the state Capitol in Santa Fe. Luis Sánchez Saturno/The New Mexican

By The New Mexican

Days remaining in the session: 21

Confirmations: The Senate on Friday voted 35-0 to confirm Alicia Keyes as secretary of the Economic Development Department. Read More

Senate OKs Bill To ‘Ban The Box’ On Job Applications

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 23, 2019
Sen. Bill O’Neill, D-Albuquerque
 
By MILAN SIMONICH
The state Senate on Friday approved a bill to prohibit private employers from using a job application that asks applicants about arrests or criminal convictions.
 
The measure carried 28-11 and now advances to the House of Representatives.
 
Employers would still be free to inquire about an applicant’s record after reviewing the application, said the bill sponsor, Sen. Bill O’Neill, D-Albuquerque.
 
His proposal, Senate Bill 96, is intended to help people
Read More

Interior & Environment Funding Bill Signed Into Law

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 23, 2019
U.S. Sen. Tom Udall
 
U.S. SENATE News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, lead Democrat on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies, announced that the funding bill his subcommittee authored, the Fiscal Year 2019 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill, was signed into law as part of the government funding package which passed Congress last week.
 
The bill provides critical funding for New Mexico’s public lands, infrastructure, environmental protection and stewardship, and programs for Indian
Read More

Secrist: We Need 6 Percent For All…

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 23, 2019
By DAN SECRIST
Executive Vice President, Steward
CWA, Local 7076

We Need 6% for All Why are Democrats treating state workers unfairly? Santa Fe, New Mexico: Yesterday the the State House of Representatives passed their budget proposal for FY 2020. Educators, Judges, and a few others, are getting 6%. Most state workers are only getting 4%.

We seriously question the priorities of the Democratic leadership of the state. To say we are deeply disappointed is an understatement. Setting a double standard on pay is wrong.

We have nothing against other workers being properly compensated, but treating Read More

State Game Commission Reform Passes House

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 22, 2019
HOUSE DEMOCRATS News:
 
SANTA FE ― Yesterday, the House of Representatives took a step towards reforming the State Game Commission by passing House Bill 263, State Game Commission Changes.
 
House Bill 263 would move the Commission towards more scientific and inclusive decision-making by diversifying the membership, adding stability, and reducing political influence.
 
“New Mexico needs a more professional and less political Game Commission,” Rep. Matthew McQueen (D-Galisteo) said. “Our wildlife resources—including hunting and fishing—are critical to more than
Read More

House Sends $7 Billion Budget Plan To Senate

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 22, 2019
The Roundhouse in Santa Fe. Courtesy/SFNM
 
By ANDREW OXFORD
The state House of Representatives approved a $7 billion budget on Thursday, sending to the Senate a plan for the next fiscal year that would provide nearly half a billion dollars in additional funds for public schools but which Republicans say amounts to an outsize increase in government spending.
 
House Bill 2 would mark an 11 percent bump in New Mexico’s budget, drawing on a surplus fueled by an oil and gas boom. That would leave about 22 percent of the state’s general fund
Read More

Legislative Roundup: Feb. 22

Submitted by Chris Clark on February 22, 2019
Angelica Montoya of Las Vegas, N.M., a Highlands University freshman, sings during a performance by the Vaqueros de Highlands University mariachi group Thursday in the Capitol Rotunda. Photo by Luis Sánchez Saturno/The New Mexican
 
SFNM News:
 
Days remaining in the session: 22
 
Mandela visit: The grandson of the late South African president Nelson Mandela will appear Mondayat the state Capitol.
 
Ndaba Mandela, 36, will address a joint education committee of the state Legislature. A writer, he will be on his first visit to New Mexico.
 
House Majority Leader
Read More

Tales Of Our Times: Think Big, Think Again, Think Of Ways To Improve

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 22, 2019
Tales of Our Times
By JOHN BARTLIT
New Mexico Citizens
for Clean Air & Water
 
Think Big, Think Again, Think Of Ways To Improve
 

 

A close look at modern institutions—such as big companies, big political parties and lobby groups—finds a most peculiar approach to self-promotion. The custom is so familiar we forget how really bizarre it is. The oddness is unmistakable when we see it on a human scale: A man walks up to you on the street, sticks out his hand with a smile and says, “Hi, my name is Joe. I’m perfect.”
 
You might hold back a laugh, hurry away or call the police.
Read More

House, Senate Pass Competing Bills On Time Change

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 22, 2019
By MILAN SIMONICH
If the moon turns blue or a million-to-one shot comes in, New Mexico legislators might be able to agree that time marches on.
 
But, chances are, the Senate and the House of Representatives would still have opposite views of what the clock should say.
 
Senators today voted 25-17 for a bill to permanently keep New Mexico on daylight saving time.
 
Members of the House earlier this week took a stand that’s 180 degrees different. They voted 35-32 to exempt New Mexico from daylight saving time. The House bill would keep New
Read More

Steinhaus On Education Agenda At Legislature

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 21, 2019
Los Alamos High School student liaisons to the LAPS Board of Education on the floor of the House of Representaives Feb. 18, hosted by Rep. Christine Chandler of Los Alamos, center. Students include seniors Sonyia Williams and Priscilla Marquez and Juniors Justin Pena, Ogden Berry, Zoe Butler and Ethan Rushton. Photo by Kurt Steinhaus
 
By BONNIE J. GORDON
Los Alamos Daily Post
bjgordon@ladailypost.com

Los Alamos Public Schools Superintendent Kurt Steinhaus has been closely monitoring the New Mexico Legislature this session. He recently updated the School Board on the current state Read More

Charter School Moratorium Advances In House

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 21, 2019
By MILAN SIMONICH
New Mexico moved a step closer Wednesday to halting the growth of charter schools.
 
The House Education Committee voted 10-3 for a bill that would place a moratorium on new charter schools from June 14 of this year until Jan. 1, 2022.
 
Freshman Rep. Jack Chatfield, R-Mosquero, joined the Democrats on the committee in voting for the moratorium. The proposal, House Bill 434, would not cap enrollment at New Mexico’s 96 charter schools, nor would it seek to close any of them. They have a collective enrollment of more than 26,000.
Read More

House Advances Bill Modernizing New Mexico’s Voter Registration System, Moves To State Senate

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 21, 2019
STATE News:
 
SANTA FE ― A bill to modernize the process how New Mexicans register to vote or update their voting registration was passed by the House on a 44-22 vote, Tuesday night.
 
“Automatic voter registration is a common sense approach that opens access to voting which in turn improves our democracy,” said Natalie Tennant, Manager for State Advocacy at the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law. This action by the House of Representatives puts the state on the path to a more secure, accurate and accessible process  and puts New Mexico on the forefront nationally as
Read More

County Notice Of Possible Quorum Feb. 22

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 21, 2019

COUNTY News:

Members of the Los Alamos County Council may attend Community Development Department and Public Works Department tours 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday, Feb. 22 at various County locations.

A quorum may be present; however no action will be taken. Read More

Udall Calls For Infrastructure Improvements To Bolster New Mexico Border Economies

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 21, 2019
U.S. Sen. Tom Udall
 
U.S. SENATE News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Sen. Tom Udall questioned transportation leaders on opportunities for infrastructure improvements at ports of entry during a Senate Commerce Committee hearing titled “America’s Infrastructure Needs: Keeping Pace with a Growing Economy.”
 
As a member of the Senate Commerce and Appropriations Committees, Udall has long championed strong federal investment to improve infrastructure and technology throughout New Mexico, including along the U.S.-Mexico border, which would bolster economic development
Read More

Rep. Melanie Stansbury Introduces Bill To Address Albuquerque’s Homeless Crisis

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 21, 2019

Rep. Melanie Stansbury Introduces Bill to Address Albuquerque’s Homeless Crisis. Courtesy photo

STATE News:

SANTA FE – Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-Albuquerque) held a press conference with community organizations, advocates and officials from the City of Albuquerque to announce the introduction of House Bill 657—an Affordable Housing Study bill—which would support the development an evidence-based framework for addressing homelessness in Albuquerque and across the state.

With strong bi-partisan support, HB 657 is co-sponsored by 23 legislators, including most of the Representatives Read More

State Land Office: Open For Business

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 21, 2019

Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard

NMSLO News:

  • February Lease Sales Generate Largest Bid Amount Ever For Open Lease 

SANTA FE – The State Land Office held its monthly online oil and gas lease sales, which garnered the largest open bid sale in history and generated more than $35 million for New Mexico schools, hospitals and colleges.

The open bid included 8,920.27 acres in Chaves, Lea and Eddy Counties and closed at over $12 million, more than double the previous record for an open bid.

The aggregate bid amounted to an average per-acre price of $3,961.25. 

“The Land Office is Read More

Bill To Keep New Mexico’s Children Safe Advances

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 21, 2019

Rep. Micaela Lara Cadena

STATE News:

SANTA FE – A bill to keep New Mexico’s children safe passed Wednesday the House Health and Human Services Committee.

House Bill 500, sponsored by Rep. Micaela Lara Cadena (D-Mesilla) and Rep. Willie Madrid (D-Chaparral), would extend the authority of the Children, Youth and Families Department to regulate, inspect, and sanction programs for at-risk youth.

Rep. Willie Madrid

During the committee hearing, members heard heart-wrenching stories of abuse of at-risk youth, bringing to light both the urgency and importance of this legislation.

“The stories Read More

House GOP Budget Calls For Rebates, Fewer Raises

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 21, 2019
By ANDREW OXFORD
Republicans in the House of Representatives want to use some of the state’s budget surplus to give every New Mexican $200.
 
These rebates are part of a $6.6 billion budget that GOP lawmakers are putting forward as an alternative to a spending plan sponsored by Democrats and headed for a vote in the House as soon as Thursday night.
 
The House Republican plan would still increase the state budget, but by 5 percent instead of the 11 percent boost in spending included in House Bill 2 and related legislation.
 
New Mexico is in
Read More
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