Governor Signs Into Law Increase To Top Oil And Gas Royalty Rate On New Mexico’s Best State Lands
Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard pushed for legislation to increase the top royalty rate offered for new oil and gas development on the best state lands will be signed into law today by the governor. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
STATE News:
- Offering market rate for premium tracts would generate over a billion dollars in additional value for public schools, universities and hospitals
SANTA FE – Legislation pushed by New Mexico Commissioner of Public Lands Stephanie Garcia Richard to increase the top royalty rate offered for new oil and gas development on the best state Read More
Governor Signs Strategic Water Supply And Environmental Protection Bills
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham
STATE News:
SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham Tuesday signed legislation that advances New Mexico’s 50-Year Water Action Plan through conservation of freshwater resources, enhanced water quality protections, and protecting residents from harmful PFAS chemicals.
“Today marks a turning point for New Mexico’s water future,” Lujan Grisham said. “The Strategic Water Supply program unlocks economic opportunities by providing brackish water for manufacturing and clean energy development, while preserving our freshwater for other vital Read More
Luján, Leger Fernández Reintroduce Legislation To Strengthen Land Grant Communities’ Rights
STATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) reintroduced the New Mexico Land Grant-Mercedes Historical or Traditional Use Cooperation and Coordination Act to provide greater cooperation between the federal government and land grant communities. There are 27 community land grant-mercedes that are recognized as political subdivisions under New Mexico law.
Federal agencies have consistently sought to work more closely with these land grant-mercedes, as the majority of them maintain historical or traditional Read More
Taos ‘Pueblo Vault’ Project Celebrates Milestone
TAOS News:
TAOS — The long-awaited Pueblo Wastewater Metering Vault (“Pueblo Vault”) infrastructure project has come to fruition through collaboration between the Town of Taos and Taos Pueblo and the renewal of the joint wastewater service “Interconnection Agreement,” led by Town of Taos Mayor Pascualito Maestas and former Taos Pueblo Governor Gary Lujan.
To commemorate this achievement, a groundbreaking ceremony will be held for the installation of the “Pueblo Vault” at 11 a.m., Wednesday, April 16, at the end of Cohn Lane off Paseo del Pueblo Norte.
The Interconnection Agreement, first Read More
Governor Authorizes National Guard To Support APD
Memorial to the 200th Coast Artillery of the New Mexico National Guard – Albuquerque. Courtesy photo
STATE News:
SANTA FE – Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has authorized the deployment of New Mexico National Guard personnel to support the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) in response to ongoing public safety challenges in the city, particularly along the Central Avenue corridor and other specific areas.
The emergency request from APD cites the fentanyl epidemic and rising violent juvenile crime as critical issues requiring immediate intervention. Additional support is Read More
New Mexico Governor Signs 41 More Bills Into Law
The Roundhouse in Santa Fe. Post file photo
STATE News:
SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham Tuesday signed 41 bills into law, addressing a wide range of priorities including healthcare access, economic development, education, environmental protection, and public safety.
The legislation represents the administration’s ongoing commitment to improving the quality of life for New Mexicans across the state.
Healthcare improvements:
- HB 056: Medicaid Reimbursements for Birth Centers
- HB 078: Prohibit Discrimination Against 340B Entities
- HB 117: Death Certificate by Physician
Senators Luján, Hawley Introduce Legislation To Make Car Repairs Easier, Expand Options, Increase Transparency
From the Office of U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján:
- Senators Champion Efforts to Improve Car Repair Processes, Offer More Repair Choices, And Make Information About Repairs More Transparent For Car Owners And Repair Shops
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) introduced the REPAIR Act, legislation that would give car owners expanded options for automobile repairs.
The REPAIR Act ensures vehicle owners, independent repair shops, and aftermarket manufacturers have secure access to vehicle repair and maintenance data, which is critical to the independent Read More
LANL Requests Approval To Perform Controlled Release Of Headspace Gas From Flanged Tritium Waste Container
A view at sunset of Los Alamos National Laboratory. Courtesy/LANL
LANL News:
Friday, April 4, 2025, the U.S. Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration’s (NNSA) Los Alamos Field Office, the U.S. Department of Energy Environmental Management Los Alamos Field Office and the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) submitted a request to New Mexico Environment Department to safely perform the controlled release of headspace gas from four flanged tritium waste containers (FTWCs) at Technical Area 54, Area G at LANL.
The relevant documents are posted in the LANL Electronic Read More
Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard Issues Statement On Federal Legislation To Protect Pecos Watershed
NMSLO News:
SANTA FE — Legislation to protect the federal lands in the Upper Pecos Watershed from future mining development was reintroduced today by U.S. Sens. Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Luján and Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez. On Monday, the Trump administration reversed a proposal to ban mineral development on federal lands in the Upper Pecos Watershed, which the U.S. Department of Interior had implemented last December.
The Upper Pecos Watershed is a critical resource for surrounding communities and a diverse set of stakeholders. The Greater Pecos Valley region is the ancestral home Read More
Lunch With A Leader: Rep. Christine Chandler April 17
The League of Women Voter’s (LWV) community event, Lunch with a Leader, will feature Rep. Christine Chandler noon-1 p.m. Thursday, April 17, at the Unitarian Fellowship Hall on Sage. Post file photo
LWV News:
The League of Women Voter’s (LWV) community event, Lunch with a Leader, will feature Rep. Christine Chandler noon-1 p.m. Thursday, April 17, at the Unitarian Fellowship Hall on Sage.
Rep. Chandler will review the 2025 Legislative Session. She serves as chair of the House Judiciary Committee and a member of the House Taxation and Revenue Committee. During the interim, Rep. Chandler chairs Read More
Op-Ed: A Deep Dive Into New Mexico’s Lack Of Economic Freedom
By MATTHEW MITCHELL, Fraser Institute
and PAUL GESSING, Rio Grande Foundation
A thousand years ago, a group of people settled along Red Willow Creek at the base of the Taos Mountains and never left. They were among the first, but hardly the last, to be enchanted by New Mexico’s snow-capped mountains and sun-drenched vistas. The state’s moderate climate, rich culture, and mouth-watering cuisine are peerless. And now that New Mexico churns out 2 million barrels of oil every day—more than 15 percent of all US production—you’d think New Mexicans would be riding high.
Instead, the state’s citizens Read More
Governor Signs Bill To Strengthen Public Safety Response, Mental Health Crisis Hotline, And Support Services
The Roundhouse in Santa Fe. Post file photo
NMDFA News:
SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has signed Senate Bill 535, legislation to strengthen public safety, crisis response, and workers’ compensation through fees and surcharges increases. The bill also establishes a framework for supported decision-making.
“This funding helps local entities with the resources needed to build a modern, equitable emergency communications network statewide,” said Secretary Wayne Propst of the New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration (NMDFA). “By moving to Next Generation 911, we Read More
Governor Lujan Grisham Signs 60 Bills Into Law
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham
STATE News:
SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed 60 bills into law Monday, addressing a wide range of priorities including healthcare access, public safety, economic development, elections and education.
Legislation Lujan Grisham signed will:
- Strengthen public safety through measures like the Turquoise Alert System (SB 41) and enhance DNA collection for certain offenders (HB 340).
- Support economic development through the Strategic Economic Development Site Readiness program (SB 169)
- Expand educational opportunities with the Community
Council Action: County Provides Updates On Recent Cell Phone And Internet Outages
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
On March 11 and March 17, Los Alamos was unceremoniously kicked off not only the internet but cell phone service. In response, Deputy Utility Manager for the Engineering Division James Alarid explained to Los Alamos County Council March 25 why everyone’s Wifi and cell phone service bars vanished.
The outage was due to cut fiber lines in the N.M. 4 Water Transmission Line Replacement/Fiber Conduit Installation Project along N.M. 4 between N.M. 502 and Rover Boulevard. Alarid said the project is about 67 percent completed; Read More
County Planning & Zoning Commission To Meet April 9
COUNTY News:
The Los Alamos County Planning & Zoning Commission is scheduled to meet 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 9 in Council Chambers at 1000 Central Ave.
The meeting is open to the public in person and online. The following Zoom meeting link and/or telephone call in numbers may be used for public viewing and participation:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81885706651
Or Telephone:
Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
US: +1 719 359 4580 or +1 253 205 0468 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 346 248 7799 or
+1 669 444 9171 or +1 669 900 6833
Webinar ID: 818 8570 6651.
Agenda Read More
Civil Rights Icon Dolores Huerta Endorses Deb Haaland
Deb Haaland and Dolores Huerta walk arm and arm during 32nd Annual César Chávez & Dolores Huerta Celebration. Courtesy photo
STATE News:
ALBUQUERQUE — Saturday, after Deb Haaland and Dolores Huerta marched for workers in the 32nd Annual César Chávez & Dolores Huerta Celebration, Huerta announced her endorsement of Deb Haaland to be New Mexico’s next governor. This endorsement continues a long tradition of Huerta supporting candidates who lead with integrity and put working families first.
“Deb Haaland is a true public servant who always places the needs of working people Read More
Senators Heinrich And Hickenlooper Lead Amendment To Prevent Sale Of Public Lands
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sens. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, are leading an amendment to the Senate’s budget resolution to prevent the privatization of public lands.
The amendment comes after recent reporting about Congressional Republicans’ plans to sell public lands to fund tax breaks for billionaires.
“Public lands belong to all of us,” said Heinrich, Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Read More
County FY2026 Proposed Budget Hearings To Begin April 21
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos County has published its FY2026 Proposed Budget and it is available here.
The Los Alamos County Budget Hearings will begin at 6 p.m. Monday, April 21 in person in Council Chambers at the Municipal Building and Via Zoom.
Proposed Budget Hearing Schedule:
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- Monday, 6-10 p.m. April 21;
- Tuesday, 6-10 p.m. April 22;
- Wednesday, 6-10 p.m. April 23;
- Monday, 6-10 p.m. April 28;
- Tuesday, 6-10 p.m. April 29.
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Note: Scheduled budget hearings may be canceled if the budget is adopted at an earlier hearing. Read More
Family Wellness And Early Intervention Programs Emphasized During Child Abuse Prevention Month
CYFD Secretary Teresa Casado
CYFD News:
SANTA FE — April is Child Abuse Prevention Month nationally, and across New Mexico, the Children, Youth, and Families Department (CYFD) is calling attention to programs, services, and support systems that are designed to improve the safety and well-being of the children and youth in our state.
“CYFD’s Family Services Division focuses on supporting families to prevent abuse and neglect,” CYFD Secretary Teresa Casados said. “Through family-centered programs and partnerships with service providers, CYFD aims to give families the tools and supports Read More
Leger Fernández Re-Introduces Bill To Maintain Vital Access To Audio-Only Telehealth For Tribal Communities
U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández re-introduces Telehealth Access for Tribal Communities Act. Courtesy image
From the Office of U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03) re-introduced the Telehealth Access for Tribal Communities Act of 2025, crucial legislation designed to protect access to essential healthcare services through audio-only telehealth for Medicare beneficiaries in tribal communities.
The bill is co-sponsored in the House by Representatives Jay Obernolte (CA-23), Melanie Stansbury (NM-01), Raul Ruiz (CA-25), Read More
