Healthcare Commission Bill Sounds Complicated, But Is Simple Way To Understand Care, Access
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on February 3, 2019
Rep. Debbie ArmstrongSTATE News:
Rep. Debbie Armstrong’s legislation to create a Healthcare Value & Access Commission and an All-Payers Database in New Mexico, which passed the House Health & Human Services Committee 5-2 Wednesday, may make the eyes of non-policy-wonks glaze over, but it implements a simple plan: To gather and analyze currently uncollected data on healthcare in New Mexico to improve healthcare policy.
“HB 88 creates meaningful, systemic change to the way we track and understand healthcare in New Mexico. That is huge, but the idea and implementation
Read More Governor Hails Bill To Lift Cap On Film Incentives
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on February 3, 2019
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham touted the introduction Friday of Senate Bill 2, which would eliminate the cap on the film tax credit. Photo by Andrew Oxford/The New Mexican
Sen. Nancy Rodriguez, D-Santa Fe, introduced Senate Bill 2 on Friday. The legislation would eliminate the $50 million-a-year cap on the film tax credit. Photo Andrew Oxford/The New MexicanBy ANDREW OXFORD
Gov. Susana Martinez had a relationship with the film industry that could seem at times like something out of a shoot-em-up Western.
Now, her successor wants to be
Read More Udall, Heinrich Work To Close Gender Wage Gap
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on February 3, 2019
U.S. SENATE News:WASHINGTON, D.C. ― Thursday, U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich reintroduced the Paycheck Fairness Act, legislation that would strengthen the Equal Pay Act of 1963 by guaranteeing that women can challenge pay discrimination and hold employers accountable.
The bill introduction comes 10 years after President Obama passed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, marking an important step in the fight to end the gender wage gap.
“Pay discrimination against women violates the basic tenant of fairness that is at the foundation of our state and our country.
Read More Trujillo Unveils Plans To Improve Public Education
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on February 3, 2019
New Mexico Public Education Secretary-designate Karen Trujillo, shown at the Capitol last week during a news conference announcing her appointment by the governor, on Friday outlined some of her priorities for the department, including bolstering teacher ranks and building better collaboration with other agencies that serve children. Photo by Olivia Harlow/The New MexicanBy ROBERT NOTT
Growing up surrounded by a mother and sisters who were teachers, Karen Trujillo decided to rebel.
“No,” she said to herself as a child, rejecting the idea
Read More Navajo Code Talker Museum Bill Passes Committee
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on February 2, 2019
State Sen. John Pinto, 94, says he is one of about just eight Navajo Code Talkers who are still alive. Courtesy photoBy ROBERT NOTT
They spoke a language most people — including many in their own nation — could not understand.
They befuddled their Japanese enemies who tried to make sense of the strange code. And when World War II ended, they knew they had played a part in keeping the world free.
“We helped win the war,” said Sen. John Pinto, 94, one of the few Navajo Code Talkers who’s still alive.
His voice
Read More Los Alamos County Officials Day At The Roundhouse … Senate Finance Committee Passes ‘Lab Tax Bill’
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on February 2, 2019
Los Alamos County Councilor David Izraelevitz, Councilor Chair Sara Scott, County Manager Harry Burgess and Councilor Vice Chair Pete Sheehey at the Roundhouse. Photo by Morrie Pongratz
Councilors Sara Scott and David Izraelevitz smiling at the ‘Do Pass’ recommendation from the Senate Finance Committee. Photo by Morrie PongratzA Day at The Roundhouse
By MORRIE PONGRATZ
Los Alamos
Jan. 31, four of us from Los Alamos traveled to Santa Fe to support Senate Bill 11 (SB11), the bill to not allow 501C(3) exemptions from New Mexico Gross Receipts Taxes for National
Read More Romero Tables Own Privacy Bill Amid Sharp Criticisms
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on February 2, 2019
Rep. Andrea Romero
By ROBERT NOTT
Freshman state Rep. Andrea Romero introduced a bill that proposed to fine private companies if they did not remove “damaging” or “excessive” information about people from their websites.
Romero withdrew her legislation less than 24 hours later after she was pilloried by critics who said she wanted to undermine the First Amendment and use state government to police disputes in the private sector.
Romero, D-Santa Fe, on Friday asked the speaker of the House of Representatives
Read More Legislative Roundup: Feb. 2
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on February 2, 2019
SFNM News:Days left in session: 42
Free Sundays: The new secretary of the Department of Cultural Affairs says her staff is revisiting the previous administration’s decision to curtail free admission to the state’s museums.
“I do believe the citizens of New Mexico should have free access to their cultural institutions on a more regular basis,” Debra Garcia y Griego told the Senate Rules Committee on Friday.
State-run museums such as the New Mexico Museum of Art and the Palace of the Governors used to offer free admission to New Mexico residents
Read More ‘Rocket Docket’ Bills Pass New Mexico House
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on February 1, 2019
House Speaker Rep. Brian Egolf
STATE News:
SANTA FE – The New Mexico House of Representatives passed the Senate “Rocket Docket” bills this morning that will now head to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s desk for signing.
Each of the bills received bipartisan support over the last two legislative sessions and received less than five votes in opposition.
“I am very proud of the bipartisan work the House of Representatives has done to get these important, common-sense bills to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham,” House Speaker Brian Egolf (D-Santa Fe) said. “New Mexico families do not have time to waste, Read More
UNM-LA Participates In UNM Day At Legislature
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on February 1, 2019
UNM-LA Instructor Art Nichols promotes the IT Cybersecurity Program at UNM Day at the State Legislature with a display on Encrypted Steganography and Watermarking. Photo by Kateri Morris/UNM-LAUNM-LA News:
UNM-Los Alamos (UNM-LA) participated Thursday in UNM Day at the State Legislature.
The event provided opportunities for UNM Main and Branch Campuses to highlight campus organizations, specific degree programs and alumni through posters, printed media and personal interactions.
Visitors to the event included State Legislators and other government
Udall, Carper Respond To EPA Withdrawing Proposal To Scrap Worker Protection Rules
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on February 1, 2019
U.S. SENATE News:WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.), ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, and U.S. Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, responded to news that the Trump Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has withdrawn—for now—its proposal to scrap two critical worker protections, the updated Agricultural Worker Protection Standard (WPS) and Certification of Pesticide Applicators (CPA) Rule.
Carper previously secured
Read More Bill Lets Parties Choose: Open Primaries Or Pay For Them
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on January 31, 2019
The Roundhouse. Courtesy photoBy ANDREW OXFORD
One lawmaker wants to give political parties a choice of whether to let independent voters participate in primary elections.
The option is: Let independents vote or pay for the election yourselves.
Backers hope Senate Bill 418 will win over legislators wary of letting just any voter help pick their party’s nominees.
If it does, the bill could also end for now a long-running debate over the role of independent voters, who are a growing segment of the electorate in New Mexico.
Read More CVNM: Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham Keynotes Annual Legislative Reception
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on January 31, 2019
CVNM News:SANTA FE — Conservation Voters New Mexico (CVNM) will present State Rep. Patricia Roybal Caballero (HD 13, Bernalillo) with the 2019 Luminaria Award at CVNM’s 13th annual Legislative Reception Feb. 6. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham will serve as keynote speaker.
CVNM’s annual Legislative Reception is a dynamic gathering of policymakers, business leaders and community members. The program will showcase CVNM’s 2019 legislative priorities.
“Gov. Lujan Grisham has already demonstrated her commitment to diversifying our economy while protecting the health
Read More Commissioner Garcia Richard Appoints Four Key Staff
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on January 31, 2019
Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
From the Office of the Land Commisioner:
SANTA FE – Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard has appointed four key staff to assist in executing a bold agenda for the land office.
The new hires include General Counsel and three Assistant Commissioners for Mineral Resources, Commercial Resources, and Communications.
On the job for just a month, Commissioner Garcia Richard has begun to implement her key initiatives, including issuing an Executive Order to ban killing contests on state trust land, requesting Read More
Heinrich, Kennedy, Cassidy, Carper, And Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Legislation To Restore Wetlands And Migratory Bird Habitat
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on January 31, 2019
U.S. SENATE News:WASHINGTON, D.C. ― On the 30th anniversary of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA), U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and a member of the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission, U.S. Senators John Kennedy (R-La.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), and colleagues introduced bipartisan legislation to reauthorize NAWCA through 2024.
The legislation would also increase authorized annual funding for the program to $60 million.
NAWCA was originally enacted
Read More Newly Appointed Los Alamos County Councilor Katrina Schmidt Seeks To Serve Retirees And Young Families
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on January 31, 2019
Municipal Judge Elizabeth Allen, left, swears in Katrina Schmidt as the newest County Councilor while Schmidt’s partner, Neal Martin, holds the Bible. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
Good ideas and diversity characterized the crop of applicants who applied for the open seat on Los Alamos County Council.
Several councilors commented it was a difficult choice but in a 4-2 vote, they appointed Barranca Elementary School teacher Katrina Schmidt to fill the vacancy.
The decision was made during the regular Read More
Stewart Bill Overhauls Teacher Evaluation To Support Professional Development
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on January 31, 2019
SENATE News:Sen. Mimi Stewart’s bill to overhaul the state’s teacher evaluation system by focusing on professional development passed the Senate Education Committee Wednesday.
“As a retired educator, I know that professional development—not punishment—is what teachers need to succeed,” Stewart said. “And when teachers succeed, our kids succeed.”
SB 247 calls on the Public Education Department to develop–in consultation with educators and other stakeholders–by July 1, 2019, a new evaluation system based on instructional quality (which will be
Read More Rep. Christine Chandler Champions Fair Wages And Benefits For Workers Through House Bill 246
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on January 31, 2019
Dist. 43 Rep. Christine ChandlerNMDP News:
SANTA FE ― Rep. Christine Chandler (D-Los Alamos) is championing fair wages and benefits for workers by preparing House Bill 246, regarding the Prevailing Wage, for its first committee hearing.
House Bill 246, ensures that New Mexicans are paid a fair wage for a hard day’s work by closing loop holes, providing a complaint resolution process, and increases penalties for violations. Addressing these issues in the Prevailing Wage law will keep local jobs local, workplaces safe, and ensure quality workmanship in public projects.
Read More Bill To Ensure Sustainability Of New Mexico’s Health Care System Advances
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on January 31, 2019
NMDP News:SANTA FE ― Wednesday, a bill to create the Health Care Value and Access Commission advanced in the House Health and Human Services Committee.
House Bill 88, sponsored by Rep. Debbie Armstrong (D-Albuquerque) and Rep. Elizabeth “Liz” Thomson (D-Albuquerque), would provide oversight and implement recommendations to ensure the sustainability of the health care system in New Mexico through the Commission.
The Health Care Value and Access Commission would collect and report on state health data and make policy recommendations to improve the efficiency
Read More Udall, Tester, Hoeven, Isakson Fight To Curb Veteran Homelessness In Indian Country
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on January 31, 2019
U.S. SENATE News:WASHINGTON, D.C. — Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.), vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, along with U.S. Senators Jon Tester (D-Mont.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), and Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), reintroduced bipartisan legislation to better serve homeless or at-risk Native American veterans.
The senators’ Tribal HUD-VASH Act will formally codify a joint tribal housing initiative between the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) program, which provides rental
Read More 
