Republican Party Of New Mexico Celebrates End Of Successful Legislative Session
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on February 18, 2016
STATE GOP News:
ALBUQUERQUE – The Republican Party of New Mexico is excited about the positive legislative changes that Republicans in the Senate and House fought to successfully pass in this short 30 day session.
“Despite the best efforts of Senate Democrats, Republicans in the legislature were able to make significant progress in these 30 days,” said Republican Party of New Mexico Spokesman Tucker Keene. “We’ve finally fixed the many issues with our drivers licenses and made them REAL ID compliant, we’ve passed a budget that pays to address Read More
Think New Mexico Recaps 2016 Legislative Session
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on February 18, 2016
By Think New Mexico
The 2016 legislative session wrapped up a few minutes ago, and we wanted to report to you the final outcomes of Think New Mexico’s initiatives.
Scholarships Safe for Another Year! (Senate Bill 180)
- Thanks in part to 2,747 emails sent to legislators by New Mexicans like you, the House Ways and Means Committee defeated Senate Bill 180 on a bipartisan 8-5 vote.
- This bill would not only have repealed the requirement that a minimum of 30% of lottery revenues go to scholarships, but also would have opened the door to new and different kinds of lottery gaming. So Senate Bill 180
Garcia Richard’s Economic Development Bill Heads To Governor
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on February 18, 2016
Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard
STATE News:
SANTA FE – Late into the evening Wednesday, Feb. 17, the New Mexico Senate voted 38-2 in favor of passing Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard, D-Los Alamos, Rio Arriba, Santa Fe and Sandoval counties, House Bill 139, the Economic Development Act Project (LEDA).
HB 139 expands the number of communities that can access local LEDA funding, by allowing for municipalities with a population between 10,000 and 35,000 to participate. The legislation was concurred by the New Mexico House on Thursday morning and heads to Gov. Susana Martinez’s desk. Read More
Legislature Passes Indigent Interlock Fund
Submitted by Chris Clark
on February 18, 2016
Rep. Patricio RuilobaSTATE News:
SANTA FE ― Tuesday Feb. 16, the New Mexico Legislature passed House Bill 203, the Indigent Interlock Fund Act, with a unanimous 35-0 vote from the New Mexico Senate.
Earlier this session the House of Representatives passed the Indigent Interlock Fund Act with a 62-0 unanimous vote on Feb. 12. House Bill 203, sponsored by Rep. Patricio Ruiloba (D-Albuquerque), increases the financial assistance granted to drivers convicted of a DWI who cannot afford to have and maintain an interlock device in their vehicle.
Legislature Passes The Savings Account For Disabled New Mexicans Act
Submitted by Chris Clark
on February 18, 2016
Rep. Sheryl Williams StapletonSTATE News:
SANTA FE ― Tuesday Feb. 16, the New Mexico Legislature passed the Savings Account for Disabled New Mexicans Act with unanimous support.
House Bill 61, sponsored by House Democratic Whip, Rep. Sheryl Williams Stapleton (D-Albuquerque) passed the Senate Chamber with a unanimous 34-0 vote. Earlier in the legislative session the New Mexico House of Representatives passed the Savings Account for Disabled New Mexicans Act with a unanimous vote of 65-0 on Feb. 8.
The Savings Account for Disabled
Udall Introduces Legislation To Ensure Migrant Children Receive Due Process
Submitted by Chris Clark
on February 18, 2016
U.S. Sen. Tom UdallSENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Sen. Tom Udall announced Tuesda that he has introduced legislation to ensure that unaccompanied migrant children seeking asylum in the United States receive legal representation and a fair hearing.
The Fair Day in Court for Kids Act will address concerns that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is improperly rushing recently arrived asylum seekers from El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras through the immigration court process. Many of those individuals are children who
Legislature Approves Bail Reform Proposal
Submitted by Chris Clark
on February 18, 2016
SENATE News:SANTA FE ― A proposed constitutional amendment for reforming pretrial detention in New Mexico has won approval in the Legislature with broad bipartisan support.
The measure won final approval Wednesday when the Senate voted 36-0 to accept a version of the proposal that unanimously passed the House earlier in the week.
The proposal can help lower the costs of county jails. An average of 39 percent of inmates in county jails are eligible for release but have been unable to post bond, according to a survey by the New Mexico Association
Senate Passes Balanced State Budget
Submitted by Chris Clark
on February 17, 2016
Sen. John Arthur SmithSTATE News:
SANTA FE — The Senate passed the Senate Finance Committee’s amended House Bill 2 (HB 2) on a 39-1 vote Monday that includes minor to modest budget increases for the corrections and law enforcement, the Children Youth and Families Department and public schools, including salary increases for Level II and III teachers.
HB 2 as amended by the Senate now heads back to the House of Representatives for concurrence.
However, the adjusted budget will include about a 2 percent decrease to the budgets of all other state
House Passes Bill Providing Parental Visitation Rights To Adult Children
Submitted by Chris Clark
on February 17, 2016
Rep. Conrad JamesSTATE News:
SANTA FE ― House Bill 120, sponsored by Rep. Conrad James, unanimously passed the House of Representatives yesterday. The legislation would ensure that adult children have the right to visit their elderly and ill parents even if they are under the care of another person.
“This bill will support the visitation rights of adult children with ailing parents, and I’m encouraged by its passage,” James said. “We need to take this step to clarify the law and protect the rights of children to maintain a relationship with their parents in
Bail Reform Passes House
Submitted by Chris Clark
on February 17, 2016
STATE News:SANTA FE ― Monday Feb. 15, Senate Joint Resolution 1, the Bail Reform Constitutional Amendment, unanimously passed the House of Representatives.
The Bail Reform Constitutional Amendment will allow defendants who pose a clear threat to the community to be held without bail. Conversely, non-violent defendants who are unable to pay bail where evidence shows they pose no threat to the community can be released with non-monetary restrictions.
“Jail should be for violent people, not poor people,” stated Representative Antonio “Moe” Maestas,
Udall Staff Hold Los Alamos Office Hours March 1
Submitted by Chris Clark
on February 17, 2016
SENATE News:Tuesday, March 1, a representative from the office of U.S. Sen. Tom Udall will hold office hours for Los Alamos residents who need help with issues related to federal agencies.
The office hours are 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Betty Ehart Senior Center. Residents of Los Alamos and the surrounding communities are encouraged to stop by.
“If you need assistance with a federal agency, my staff will guide you through the process and do whatever they can to help,” Udall said. “I encourage you to meet with them during our Udall Serving You community office
Council Votes To Express Opposition To SJR 16A And SJR 23
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on February 17, 2016
Council Chair Rick Reiss calls for a vote of the Council. Screen Shot/LADP
Staff Report:
Council voted 6-1 to express its opposition to Senate Joint Resolution 16A – a floor amendment to extend term limits for the office of sheriff.
Councilor Kristin Henderson joined the meeting by telephone. Councilor Pete Sheehey voted against the measure.
Council also voted to oppose SJR 23, which would require specific law enforcement qualifications for individuals wishing to run for the office of sheriff. Councilor James Chrobocinski and Councilor Pete Sheehey voted against the measure. Read More
Luján Introduces Bill To Create Jobs By Increasing Partnerships Between Businesses And National Labs
Submitted by Chris Clark
on February 16, 2016
U.S. Rep. Ben Ray LujánCONGRESSIONAL News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján, of New Mexico’s Third District, introduced legislation Friday Feb. 12, to increase partnerships between businesses and national laboratories that spur economic growth and create new jobs.
Luján’s legislation authorizes a dedicated fund to provide for the government’s share of Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADA) that support maturing lab technology and transferring it to the private sector.
Cooperative Research
DOE Makes Up To $7 Million Available For Assistance To Indian Tribes; Releases Alaska Solar Prospecting Report
Submitted by Chris Clark
on February 16, 2016
DOE Secretary Ernest MonizDOE News:
BETHEL, AK ― U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Ernest Moniz yesterday announced the availability of up to $7 million to establish a technical assistance regional energy providers’ network to Indian tribes and Alaska Native communities.
Participants will be chosen through a competitive process and will receive five weeks of intensive training through the Department of Energy, DOE’s national labs and other entities, giving tribal communities and Alaska Native villages the knowledge, skills
House Honors Rep. Luciano ‘Lucky’ Varela
Submitted by Chris Clark
on February 16, 2016
Rep. Luciano “Lucky” VarelaSTATE News:
SANTA FE ― Rep. Luciano “Lucky” Varela (D-Santa Fe), after 30 years of representing House District 48, in the New Mexico House of Representatives was honored Friday, Feb. 13, for his years of public service.
Varela was inaugurated to the state House in 1987 becoming the third longest serving representative. Remembered for his incredible knowledge of state government, especially on financial matters and the budget, Varela was a factual database long before the regular use of computers.
Senate Passes Bill To Protect Young Athletes From Brain Injuries
Submitted by Chris Clark
on February 16, 2016
STATE News:The State Senate passed a bill Saturday that expands guidelines for treating head injuries suffered by student athletes by lengthening the rest period after a suspected concussion, and calls for these procedures to cover non-school related youth athletic programs.
Senate Bill 137 (SB 137), Student Athlete Brain Injury Protocols, which passed the Senate on a 35-4 vote, amends the protocols that were enacted in 2010.
“As our understanding of brain injuries increases, we learn the importance of allowing the young athlete sufficient time to recover,”
Senate Rules Oks Measure To Raise Minimum Wage
Submitted by Chris Clark
on February 16, 2016
Sen. Bill SoulesSTATE News:
SANTA FE ― The Senate Rules Committee voted a do-pass Saturday on Senate Joint Resolution 18 (SJR 18) that would let voters decide in the November general election whether to raise the statewide minimum wage.
SJR 18, sponsored by Sen. Bill Soules (D-37- Doña Ana), would base the wage increase on the annual rate of inflation and each increase could not exceed 4%. The minimum wage in New Mexico hasn’t changed since 2009 when it increased to $7.50 an hour, despite price increases across the board for housing,
Udall Reiterates Concerns About Lack Of An Ambassador To Mexico, Urges Senate To Confirm Roberta Jacobson
Submitted by Chris Clark
on February 16, 2016
SENATE News:WASHINGTON D.C. ― Thursday Feb. 11, U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and a longtime advocate for Senate reform, pushed for a Senate vote on Roberta Jacobson’s nomination to serve as ambassador to Mexico.
Although Jacobson has been called one of the most qualified nominees for the position ever, her nomination has been on hold for almost six months in large part due to a few senators’ objections to her role in the Obama administration’s Cuba policy.
In a speech on the Senate floor,
Victory For New Mexico Home School Speech And Debate Team
Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on February 16, 2016
Members of the Jemez Mountain Home School Speech and Debate Team with their younger siblings celebrate news of their victory to continue their participation in speech and debate competitions and activities in New Mexico. Courtesy photo
EDUCATION News:
SANTA FE — Jemez Mountain Home School speech and debate students are back on track this week preparing for the final tournaments of the regular season. On Wednesday, the Team received news that New Mexico Secretary of Education, Hanna Skandera, issued a decision on its appeal. The Secretary’s order overturned the decision of the New Read More
Civil and Human Rights Coalition Endorses John King Nomination For Secretary Of Education
Submitted by Chris Clark
on February 16, 2016
Wade HendersonCHR News:
WASHINGTON D.C. ― Wade Henderson, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights (CHR), issued the following statement in support of the nomination of Acting Secretary of Education John King to be Secretary of Education:
“We applaud the President for nominating Acting Secretary King to fill out the remainder of his term as the permanent Secretary of Education. Acting Secretary King is a reliable steward of this administration’s legacy of strong civil rights enforcement and for ensuring that the
