Political News

Gov. Lujan Grisham, Reps. Cadena And Salazar Announce Legislation Creating Centers Of Excellence

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 11, 2019

STATE News:

SANTA FE – Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced today the introduction of legislation to create four Centers of Excellence at New Mexico higher education institutions.
 
House Bill 7, introduced by Reps. Tomás Salazar and Micaela Cadena, would support and drive innovation in growing economic sectors and build closer links between research and industry by designating each as a Center of Excellence in a particular field. 
 
“Centers of Excellence will put New Mexico on the map worldwide and show we’re serious about the growth of research and development in key
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Heinrich On American Artificial Intelligence Initiative

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 11, 2019

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich

From the Office of U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Armed Services and Senate Intelligence committees, issued the following statement on the executive order to be signed today launching the American Artificial Intelligence (AI) initiative:

“I welcome the administration’s announcement to invest more in the research and development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and to build a workforce that is prepared to take on the enormous changes that will come as a result of this technology. AI Read More

Databank Bill Will Track Children’s Welfare

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 11, 2019
New Mexico Roundhouse. Courtesy/SFNM
 
By CYNTHIA MILLER
 
After years of hand-wringing over worst-in-the-nation poverty levels and education rankings, reports repeatedly declaring New Mexico “the worst place to raise a family,” a persistent opioid epidemic and a rising prison population, policymakers are pushing legislation they say will finally lead to solutions.
 
Without the Child and Family Databank Act, one researcher said, the state won’t ever be able to solve its woes, largely rooted in multigenerational poverty.
Read More

New Mexico House Celebrates African American Day

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 11, 2019

The Roundhouse celebrates African American Day Friday with Congressional House Majority Whip James Clyburn, Rev. Donna Maria Davis, pastor of Grant Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and House Majority Leader Sheryl Williams Stapleton. Courtesy photo

STATE News:

  • Joint Session  African American Community With Congressman James Clyburn

SANTA FE – The Roundhouse celebrated African American Day Friday with Congressional House Majority Whip James Clyburn, Rev. Donna Maria Davis, pastor of Grant Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church and Read More

Udall, Heinrich, Luján Announce Nearly $2.5 Million For Rail Runner Safety Upgrades

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 11, 2019
U.S. SENATE News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich and U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján have announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded $2,496,842 in federal funding to the Rio Metro Regional Transit District (RTD) to make critical improvements to the New Mexico Rail Runner Express system’s Wi-Fi network that will support full implementation of Positive Train Control (PTC) technology, a federally mandated safety system designed to prevent train accidents and derailments.
 
The improved technology is essential to providing
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After Pushback, Sponsor Revamps State Lottery Bill

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 11, 2019
By ROBERT NOTT
State Sen. Jacob Candelaria on Wednesday amended his controversial bill on the state lottery, adding a guarantee that at least $40 million a year from ticket sales would go for college scholarships.
 
His initial proposal would have eliminated a section of state law requiring that 30 percent of gross lottery revenues be turned over each month for scholarships.
 
That version of the bill came under fire. Funding for scholarships is the sole reason the New Mexico lottery exists.
 
In response to complaints by students at the University
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Scenes From IWF-NM Legislative Luncheon

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 11, 2019

International Women’s Forum of New Mexico members from Los Alamos, Historian Nancy Bartlit, left, Bradbury Science Museum Director Linda Deck and Los Alamos Daily Post Publisher Carol A. Clark (taking the photo) traveled Wednesday to the annual IWF-NM Legislative Luncheon at Hotel Santa Fe. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

IWF-NM Board President Diane Harrison Ogawa welcomes members and guests to the Legislative Luncheon Wednesday at Hotel Santa Fe. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Legislators from left, Sen. Gay Kernan of the Senate Finance Committee, House Appropriations Read More

Governor Names Five To Serve As UNM Regents

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 11, 2019
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham
 
By ROBERT NOTT

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced Saturday that she has named five people to the University of New Mexico Board of Regents.

Their appointments are subject to confirmation by the state Senate.

Her appointees are:

  • Kimberly Sanchez Rael for a six-year term. Rael’s background is in business, and she served on the New Mexico State Board of Finance from 2003 to 2009.
  • Sandra K. Begay for a four-year term. Begay, whose background is in science, most recently worked on development and management of renewable energy at Sandia
Read More

Autism Health Care Access Bill Passes House Committee

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 11, 2019
NMDP News:
 
SANTA FE ― The House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee passed legislation Thursday to remove age restrictions and ensure parity with treatment for other physical conditions on health insurance for treatment of autism.
 
House Bill 322, sponsored by Representatives Elizabeth “Liz” Thomson (D-Albuquerque), Karen Bash (D-Albuquerque) and Natalie Figueroa (D-Albuquerque) expands access to health care coverage for New Mexicans with autism.
 
House Bill 322 will prevent discrimination against New Mexico adults living with autism and bring us into compliance
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League Of Women Voters Spend Day At Legislature; Honor Former Rep. Jim Dines

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 10, 2019

LWV officers Dick Mason and Judith Williams present former Rep. Jim Dines with an award for his tireless efforts to create an Independent Ethics Commission in New Mexico. Photo by Rebecca Shankland

New Mexico State Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard welcomes the League to the State Land Office. Photo by Rebecca Shankland

New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver speaks to the League’s Legislative Reception. Photo by Rebecca Shankland

 

By REBECCA SHANKLAND
League of Women Voters of Los Alamos

A large contingent of members from the League of Women Voters Read More

Heinrich, Udall Introduce Measures To Enhance Safety In Remote Border Areas, Boost Trade At Ports Of Entry

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 10, 2019
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich
 
U.S. SENATE News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Tom Udall (D-N.M.) have introduced three key proposals to address the needs in remote areas of the nation’s southern border region and invest in our southern ports of entry to increase international trade and bolster economic development in border communities.
 
As congressional negotiators continue to work on a path forward for funding border security measures and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through the end of the fiscal year, Heinrich and
Read More

New Mexico Ethics Watch Releases Essential Resources For Establishment Of Independent Ethics Commission

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 10, 2019
NMEW News:
 
New Mexico Ethics Watch (NMEW), a nonprofit dedicated to promoting ethics in governance and public life, Friday released its Essential Resources for the Establishment of an Independent Ethics Commission.
 
The document centralizes essential resources for policy discussions regarding the establishment of the ethics commission, on the heels of voters’ approval of the ethics commission constitutional amendment by a roughly 75 percent to 25 percent margin.
 
NMEW participated, in the recent interim, in the Ethics Commission Working Group, chaired by State
Read More

Legislative Roundup: Feb. 10

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 10, 2019
By The New Mexican
 
Days left in the session: 34
 
Trapping debate: A House committee gave its backing Saturday to a bill that would ban trapping on public lands.
 
Supporters of the measure contend trapping is a hazard to hikers and others in the outdoors.
 
“All individuals are using these public lands, and they need to be safe for those individuals,” Rep. Christine Chandler, D-Los Alamos, told the House Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Committee.
 
Moreover, advocates have argued that trapping is cruel, indiscriminate and ultimately ineffective
Read More

Health Security Act Passes Key Committee

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 9, 2019
STATE News:
 
The House Health and Human Services Committee on Friday passed by a vote of 5-2 Rep. Debbie Armstrong’s bill, HB 295, the Health Security Act, a study bill to gather information on the feasibility of creating a New Mexico-run health insurance cooperative.
 
“The Affordable Care Act has helped many New Mexicans get the care they need,” Armstrong said. “Still, 190,000 New Mexicans don’t have health coverage. Many of them have to choose between paying their heating bill and going to the doctor. The Health Security Act will allow us to take an in-depth look at how we might create
Read More

Heinrich Leads Border State Senators On Legislation To Improve Health & Safety In Remote Southern Areas

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 9, 2019
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich
 
U.S. SENATE News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― In response to recent child migrant deaths, U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) led fellow border state Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Tom Udall (D-N.M.), and Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) in introducing the Remote, Emergency, Medical, Online Training, Telehealth, and EMT (REMOTE) Act to improve health and safety in all remote areas of the southern border.
 
The legislation would provide additional medical training and resources to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
 
The tragic deaths
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Feds To Boost Troops At Border As Lujan Grisham Pulls Guard Members Out

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 9, 2019
By ANDREW OXFORD
The federal government is sending more troops to the U.S. border with Mexico just as Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham pulls back National Guard personnel from the state’s southern frontier.
 
But the Department of Defense is not saying whether any of 3,750 additional troops headed to the border will be coming to New Mexico.
 
“The specific units and locations are still being finalized,” Maj. Mark Lazane said Wednesday. “We hope to release that information when it becomes available, but we aren’t able
Read More

New Mexico Energy Transition Act Seeks To Aid Switch From Coal To Renewables

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 8, 2019
The New Mexico Roundhouse. Courtesy/SFNM
 
By STEVE TERRELL
 
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and several environmentalist groups on Thursday praised legislation aimed at ensuring the shuttering of the coal-burning San Juan Generating Station near Farmington and establishing ambitious targets for pushing New Mexico toward more reliance on renewable energy sources.
 
The bill is intended to soften the financial hit both to the community surrounding the aging power plant and to Public Service Company of New Mexico, the state’s largest
Read More

Ringside Seat: A Rags Or Riches Debate Wages On

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 8, 2019
By MILAN SIMONICH
 
Except for the numbers, nothing changes in the angry debates about raising the minimum wage.
 
Santa Fe was the nation’s most ferocious battleground on this issue 16 years ago. What happened then should provide some perspective on today’s furor across New Mexico.
 
Most city councilors believed Santa Fe’s lowest-paid workers needed a raise. Hometown business owners, most notably restaurateurs, warned the councilors that government dictates on wages would endanger companies and their employees.
 
Read More

Udall, Heinrich Lead Effort To Address Crisis Of Missing And Murdered Indigenous Women

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 8, 2019
U.S. SENATE News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) joined U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), and eight others to introduce Savanna’s Act, legislation to combat the epidemic of murdered and missing Indigenous women (MMIW) by improving the federal government’s response to the crisis.
 
The bipartisan bill increases coordination among all levels of law enforcement, increases data collection and information sharing, and empowers tribal governments with the resources they need
Read More

New Mexico Senate And House Open Sessions Thursday With Hindu Mantras In Sanskrit

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 8, 2019

Hindu statesman Rajan Zed reads a Hindu invocation Thursday morning in the New Mexico Senate. Lt. Gov. Howie Morales is standing at his left. Courtesy photo

STATE News:

Both the New Mexico Senate and House of Representatives at the state capitol in Santa Fe opened their February seven sessions with Hindu prayers, containing verses from the world’s oldest existing scripture.

Hindu statesman Rajan Zed delivered the invocation from ancient Sanskrit scriptures before the Senate and House after sprinkling drops of water from river Ganga in India, considered holy by Hindus. After Sanskrit delivery, Read More

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