Legislative Roundup: Jan. 30
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on January 31, 2019
The New Mexico State Capitol in Santa Fe. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.comBy The New Mexican:
Legislative Roundup: Jan. 30, 2019
Days remaining in session: 45
Open primaries: When legislative leaders assign a bill to three different committees, it’s usually a sign they are not eager for it to pass.
That’s what happened to a bill that would allow independent voters to cast ballots in primary elections.
But House Bill 93 is on its way after getting the backing of a sharply divided House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee on Tuesday.
60+ Mile Run Aims At Drawing Attention To SB 135, Licensing Naturopathic Doctors In New Mexico
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on January 30, 2019
HEALTH News:JEMEZ SPRINGS — A legislative bill which would allow Naturopathic doctors to be licensed and regulated in New Mexico is the catalyst behind a 60+ mile run, led by the New Mexico Association of Naturopathic Physicians (NMANP) who want to draw attention for the need to license Naturopathic doctors.
“The Run” takes place Feb. 10-12 beginning in Albuquerque with the Sweetheart Run – consists of a 5K, 10K and kid’s 1K run – and continuing from Bernalillo to Jemez Springs, then finishing at the State Capitol steps in Santa Fe.
Currently, Naturopathic
Read More Council Appoints Katrina Schmidt To Fill Open Seat
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on January 30, 2019
Applicants for the open seat on Los Alamos County Council answer questions during the regular meeting Tuesday night in Council Chambers. Questions ranged from the applicants’ leadership experience to what they believe are key priorities for the County. Council voted 4-2 to appoint Katrina Schmidt to fill the seat left vacant by Christine Chandler now serving as Dist. 43 State Representative. Councilor James Robinson and Council Vice Chair Pete Sheehey voted for John Bliss while Council Chair Sara Scott and Councilors Antonio Maggiore, David Izraelevitz and Randall Ryti voted forEMERGE Graduates Honored Including Land Commissioner SGR And Dist. 43 Rep. Christine Chandler
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on January 30, 2019
New Mexico Commissioner of Public Lands Stephanie Garcia Richard is honored as an EMERGE graduate Tuesday at Casa España in Santa Fe along with House Dist. 43 Rep. Christine Chandler and 16 other state legislators. EMERGE is an organization with branches across the nation that recruits and trains Democratic women to hone their skills to win elections. EMERGE who won their races in 2018 include Rep. Deb Haaland, Rep. Xochitl Torres Small, Los Alamos County Municipal Court Judge Elizabeth Allen and Los Alamos County Council Chair Sara Scott. Courtesy photoGov. Lujan Grisham Signs Executive Order Committing New Mexico To Essential Climate Change Action
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on January 29, 2019
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham
From the Office of the Governor:
SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Tuesday formally ordered that New Mexico will join the U.S. Climate Alliance, fully embracing the goals set by the 2015 Paris Agreement, aligning New Mexico with the U.S. governors and states that have committed to a climate-conscious future and moves to protect people, natural resources and cultural heritage. The governor also ordered the creation of a New Mexico Climate Change Task Force, calling on all state agencies to contribute to a statewide climate strategy and incorporate climate Read More
Governor On Passing Of Rep. Henry ‘Kiki’ Saavedra
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on January 29, 2019
Gov. Michelle Lujan GrishamSTATE News:
SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham Monday expressed her sadness at the passing of former state Rep. Henry “Kiki” Saavedra:
“I was incredibly saddened today to hear of former Representative Saavedra’s passing. I had the good fortune to work with and learn from him for many years and knew him to be deeply devoted to his community. As a veteran, a city employee, and a legislator, he lived his life in service.
“He was a treasured leader in the state House, looked up to by new legislators of both parties as a welcoming
Read More State Lottery Scholarship Under Siege Again
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on January 29, 2019
By MILAN SIMONICHNew Mexico college students should beware of trickery at the state Capitol.
A proposal that seems innocuous at first glance would undermine the state scholarship program that serves them well.
I call your attention to Senate Bill 283. It’s the latest attempt to fatten the income of vendors for the state lottery at the expense of New Mexico’s students. The title of this legislation by Democratic Sens. Jacob Candelaria of Albuquerque and John Arthur Smith of Deming is as deceptive as any I’ve seen.
Panel Adds Time Frame To Aid-In-Dying Bill
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on January 29, 2019
By ANDREW OXFORDA legislative committee decided Monday that medical professionals would have to determine a patient has no more than six months to live before prescribing drugs that would help the patient end his or her own life.
By tweaking the bill to give it a time frame, lawmakers who support the measure hope to add New Mexico to a short list of states that permit medical assistance in dying.
Critics had raised concerns about exactly which patients would qualify under House Bill 90. It was originally written to allow medical aid in dying for patients
Read More Sen. Mimi Stewart Appointed To National Conference Of State Legislatures National Education Committee
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on January 28, 2019
Majority Whip Mimi Stewart
STATE News:
Sen. Mimi Stewart has been appointed to serve as a national vice-chair of the National Conference of State Legislatures’ (NCSL) Education Committee.
The Committee is one of 10 national committees that deal with both state and state-federal issues. The jurisdictions of the standing committees are similar to those of committees in state legislatures.
“NCSL has benefitted from Sen. Stewart’s expertise over her more than 20 years as a legislator,” NCSL’s executive director Bill Pound said. “Sen. Stewart’s participation will continue Read More
Rep. Lente’s Bill To Improve Native American Student Success Passes House For Third Consecutive Year
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on January 28, 2019
NMDP News:SANTA FE ― Rep. Derrick Lente’s (D-Sandia Pueblo) bill that would improve Native American student success passed the House Wednesday with unanimous support.
HB 250 requires a needs assessment to determine the services public school districts must provide Native American students to close the opportunity gap and improve graduation rates and college preparedness.
“With the recent decision on the Yazzie/Martinez cases, New Mexico is in dire need for bold, smart investments in our public schools and most vulnerable students. This bill will prioritize
Read More ‘Tesla Bill’ Offers NM Motorists New Choice
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on January 27, 2019
Sen. Gerald Ortiz y PinoBy Sen. Gerald Ortiz y Pino
Sponsor of Senate Bill 243
The sale and service of vehicles is not a very exciting topic but it is an important one.
Many motorists have bought a car from a dealership. There are more than 110 new-car dealerships in New Mexico that employ some 7,000 people. Some dealerships have occupied the corners of your towns for decades, and while there has been a consolidation in car dealerships resulting in out-of-state ownerships, many will continue to thrive for decades to come.
I have introduced Senate Bill 243, Motor Vehicle
Read More New Mexico Ethics Watch Releases List Of Elements Necessary For Strong Ethics Commission
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on January 27, 2019
NMEW News:New Mexico Ethics Watch (NMEW), a nonprofit dedicated to promoting ethics in governance and public life, has released its Essential Elements for an Independent Ethics Commission.
The document highlights and explains the following nine elements necessary for a strong, effective, nonpartisan ethics commission:
- Independence;
- Jurisdiction;
- Transparency;
- Open Meetings;
- Funding;
- Evidence Standard;
- Subpoena Power;
- Enforcement; and
- Commission Quorum.
In November of 2018, three quarters of those New Mexicans who voted on the issue approved the constitutional
Read More Legislation Expanding Access For Developmentally Disabled Passes First Committee
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on January 27, 2019
NMDP News:SANTA FE ― Wednesday, a bill sponsored by Rep. Elizabeth “Liz” Thomson (D-Albuquerque) and co-sponsored by Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-Albuquerque) passed the House Health and Human Services Committee.
House Bill 68 addresses the chronic problem of long waitlists for the developmental disabilities waiver services in New Mexico.
“This bill is so important for New Mexico families who have a family member with a developmental disability. It is unthinkable and unbelievable that families are waiting 13 years for services they desperately need and for which they
Read More Report Fuels Debate On Access To Higher Education
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on January 27, 2019
A group of students walk towards the Student Union Building at the University of New Mexico campus in Albuquerque. Gabriela Campos/The New Mexican File Photo
Students pass by the duck pond at the University of New Mexico campus in Albuquerque in October. Gabriela Campos/New Mexican file photo
By CYNTHIA MILLER
A new report on the economic effects of escalating costs to attend New Mexico colleges and universities calls for more financial assistance for low-income students and recommends an income cap on eligibility for the state’s flagship
Read More Balderas Announces $120 Million Settlement With Johnson & Johnson Subsidiary Over Marketing Practices
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on January 26, 2019
Attorney General Hector BalderasAG News:
ALBUQUERQUE ― Attorney General Hector Balderas announced Tuesday that he and 45 other Attorneys General reached a $120 million settlement with Johnson & Johnson and DePuy to resolve allegations that DePuy unlawfully promoted its metal-on-metal hip implant devices, the ASR XL and the Pinnacle Ultamet.
Depuy claimed the devices were much more reliable than they actually were. Contrary to DePuy’s claims of reliability, these hip implants were found to fail at rates more than eight times higher than rates advertised.
Armstrong Bill To Keep Guns Out Of Hands Of Domestic Violence Offenders Passes Committee
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on January 26, 2019
STATE News:Rep. Debbie Armstrong’s bill to keep guns out of the hands of domestic violence offenders, HB 87, passed the House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee Thursday night by a vote of 3-2.
“When a gun is present in a situation of domestic violence, it is five times more likely that a woman will be killed,” Armstrong said. “HB 87 is a common-sense way to reduce gun violence in New Mexico.”
Armstrong’s bill will make it a misdemeanor for anyone convicted of domestic violence, or under a restraining order, to possess a firearm. The bill also provides a clear process for offenders
Read More House Committee Passes ‘Only Yes Means Yes’ Bill
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on January 26, 2019
STATE News:SANTA FE ― The House Health and Human Services Committee passed the bill Friday to add consent language to the state’s sexual education curriculum.
House Bill 133, sponsored by Rep. Elizabeth “Liz” Thomson (D-Albuquerque), would require public schools and public post-secondary educational institutions to adopt policies and procedures addressing affirmative consent and prevention of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking.
According to the 2017 New Mexico Youth Risk & Resilience Survey of New Mexico high school students,
Read More Four ‘Common-Sense’ Gun Measures To Prevent Violence Pass House Consumer & Public Affairs
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on January 26, 2019
NMDP News:SANTA FE ― Four “common-sense” gun violence prevention bills passed the House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee.
Representatives and New Mexicans from across the state shared personal stories of gun violence to highlight the importance of the bills.
The package of bills are as follows:
- House Bill 8, Sponsored by Rep. Debra M. Sariñana (D-Albuquerque) and Rep. Patricia Roybal Caballero (D-Albuquerque); The “Background Check for Firearms Act” would require background checks when conducting sales of a firearm.
- House Bill 40, Sponsored by Rep.
Bill To Fund Domestic Violence Services Advances
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on January 26, 2019
NMDP News:SANTA FE ― A bill to fund domestic violence services in New Mexico advanced through the House Health and Human Services Committee.
House Bill 62, sponsored by Rep. Christine Trujillo (D-Albuquerque) and Sen. Linda Lopez (D-Albuquerque), would make an appropriation of $2 million to the Children, Youth and Families Department to fund services related to domestic violence.
“Every day that we don’t fully fund domestic violence services is another day that survivors are left in danger,” Rep. Christine Trujillo said. “It’s so important that survivors have access
Read More CCNM 2019 Poll Reveals Appetite For Reform
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on January 26, 2019
CCNM News:Common Cause New Mexico has rolled out the results from its annual poll, which revealed an increasing appetite for institutional and procedural changes in the NM legislature.
The telephone poll of 450 registered voters, randomly selected by Research and Polling Inc. for the December 2018 survey, asked voters about a wide variety of campaign finance and transparency issues. In addition, there were some broader questions included the pool, which had a margin of error of 4.6 percent.
According to the results of the poll, 36 percent of those surveyed believed New
