‘This is Not Normal’ Stansbury Speaks Up Against Trump
U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury
STATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury (NM-01) released the following statement after President Donald Trump’s joint address to Congress:
“This is not normal. And, we refuse to normalize it.
“Tonight, I participated in a walk-out of the joint address to Congress because we refuse to normalize the reckless and illegal dismantling of vital federal programs, the firing of thousands of Americans, and the undermining of our national and global security.
“50 years ago, Members of Congress held a walkout of the 1975 State of Read More
New Mexico Senate OKs $2 Billion Trust Fund To Fight Any Federal Medicaid Cuts
Sen. Bill Sharer, R-Farmington
By Esteban Candelaria
The Santa Fe New Mexican
It’s the most basic financial advice you can get: Always save for a rainy day.
So amid concerns about cuts in Medicaid programs coming down from Capitol Hill in the coming years, the New Mexico Senate unanimously approved a measure to set aside billions of dollars in rainy-day money for the state Medicaid program.
Senate Bill 88, which has earned bipartisan support from top Senate Democrats and Republicans, would over several years build up a $2 billion pot of money known as the Medicaid Trust Fund to then match federal Read More
Legislation Would Make High School Equivalency Tests Free
NMHED News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico House of Representatives has approved a measure that will help New Mexicans obtain their high school equivalency credential for free.
House Bill 167, sponsored by Reps. Joy Garratt and E. Diane Torres-Velásquez and Sen. Nicole Tobiassen, will cover the costs of the high school equivalency test and associated test preparations. The bill now moves to the Senate.
“We continue to look for more ways to reduce costs for New Mexicans looking to enhance their career and workforce potential,” Higher Education Secretary Stephanie M. Rodriguez said. “A high school Read More
Senate Signs Off On Governor’s Fifth PED Secretary
The Roundhouse in Santa Fe. Post file photo
By Alaina Mencinger and Esteban Candelaria
The Santa Fe New Mexican
Five people have acted as chief of New Mexico’s public education system during Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s tenure.
But lawmakers hope that Mariana Padilla, a former Albuquerque Public Schools science teacher, will be the last.
“She has a sense of urgency to help all of our kids succeed. She is focused on the outcomes of our children,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Mimi Stewart, D-Albuquerque, adding Padilla is “the best education secretary Read More
U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján Presses Budget Office Nominee On Firing FBI Victim Specialist, Attacks On Social Security
Sen. Ben Ray Luján helped lead opposition to Project 2025. Courtesy photo
STATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), a member of Senate Committee on the Budget, pressed Dan Bishop, the nominee to be Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), on firing career civil servants and Elon Musk’s attacks on Social Security following President Trump’s Tuesday night Joint Address to Congress.
Luján shared the story on behalf of a New Mexican who was fired as an FBI victim specialist, saying, “I am not waste, fraud, and abuse. I am not the enemy. I’m not expendable. Read More
Legislative Roundup: 17 Days Remaining In Session
The Santa Fe New Mexican Staff:
State police arrest pair at Capitol: New Mexico State Police arrested two men Wednesday on suspicion of causing a disturbance outside the Secretary of State’s Office in the Capitol North Building.
Capitol security called state police around 1 p.m. asking for assistance with two men causing a disturbance, spokesperson Wilson Silver wrote in an email.
“Officers made contact with the two males, later identified as Thomas Porwitzky and Matthew Jones, who were yelling, screaming, cursing and causing a disruptive disturbance in the Secretary of State’s Read More
Red Lipstick Brigade Invites Community To Gather March 9
Courtesy Image
COMMUNITY News:
The local Red Lipstick Brigade invites the community to join them at a gathering at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 9 at Ashley Pond.
The purpose of the gathering is to give folks a chance to peacefully demonstrate their unhappiness with the current national situation. People are asked to show up wearing red lipstick and are encouraged to wear clothing with messages and bring hand held placards with their specific grievances. For example: I Stand With Ukraine, I Support the National Park Service, etc., but emphasize is NO VULGARITIES.
This link shares the history of red lipstick Read More
Senate Confirms Heather Jordan As Director For New Mexico Workers’ Compensation Administration
Heather Jordan
STATE News:
SANTA FE — Today, the New Mexico Senate confirmed Heather Jordan as the director for the New Mexico Workers’ Compensation Administration (WCA).
“Director Jordan is a dedicated public servant with decades of experience leading teams and prioritizing New Mexico’s needs. Her background in the workers’ compensation industry ensures a smooth transition as she takes on the leadership of the Workers’ Compensation Administration,” said Sen. Elizabeth “Liz” Stefanics, who sponsored Jordan.
“I am truly honored to lead the Workers’ Compensation Administration and Read More
Samizdat Bookstore & Teahouse Author Talk: Jeff Colvin
COMMUNITY News:
Samizdat Bookstore & Teahouse is hosting Jeff Colvin, author of Avoiding Apocalypse: How Science and Scientists Ended the Cold War, for an author talk 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 18 at Fuller Lodge.
There will be tea before the talk and a book signing afterwards.
Avoiding Apocalypse tells the little-known story of the worldwide scientists’ boycott of the Soviet Union that set in motion an astonishing sequence of events.
Starting simultaneously with the rise to power of an obscure Soviet bureaucrat named Mikhail Gorbachev, the scientists’ boycott led to the end not only of the Read More
Heinrich Statement Opposing Education Secretary Nominee Linda McMahon
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) released the following statement opposing the nomination of Linda McMahon for Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education:
“Linda McMahon has no respect for the essential role of public education in our democracy and is wholly unqualified to lead the U.S. Department of Education. That makes sense when you consider the only reason Donald Trump and Elon Musk nominated her is so that she executes their plan to abolish the Department of Education.
“Every child should have the right to access a quality Read More
Luján Condemns Potential Closure Of Carlsbad Facility
U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) released the following statement in response to reports stating that the General Services Administration (GSA) is moving to discontinue the government’s lease for the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Carlsbad Field Office. DOE’s Carlsbad Field Office employs nearly 200 federal workers who oversee highly radioactive nuclear waste from nuclear defense activities at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP).
“WIPP is critical to our national security. Now, Elon Musk and President Trump are jeopardizing Read More
Senator Pushes New PED Overhaul Legislation After Original Resolution Loses Favor
Roundhouse in Santa Fe. Post file photo
By Esteban Candelaria
The Santa Fe New Mexican
Sen. Bill Soules, D-Las Cruces, said his proposal to overhaul the leadership structure of New Mexico’s public education system lost its, well, soul, after undergoing significant changes in the Senate Education Committee, of which he is the chair.
So in an effort to leapfrog over the dying Senate Joint Resolution 3, Soules is pushing a different measure, Senate Joint Resolution 15.
That legislation would still cut the Cabinet secretary position leading the state Public Education Department, a key feature Read More
New Mexico Legislation On Greater Solitary Confinement Restrictions Spurs Polarized Reaction
By CORMAC DODD
The Santa Fe New Mexican
A bill that would expand restrictions on the placement of inmates in solitary confinement in New Mexico’s prisons and jails spurred strong reactions Tuesday as former inmates and correctional officers sounded off on opposite sides of the issue.
“It’s easy to say solitary confinement is necessary when you are the one locking the door,” said Christopher Herrera, who discussed his experience being incarcerated during a House Consumer & Public Affairs Committee. “It only causes more violence.”
Offering Read More
Legislative Roundup: 18 Days Remaining In Session
The Santa Fe New Mexican Staff:
Shining a light on lobbyists: Note to freshman lawmakers: Never call a piece of legislation you’re introducing on the floor on final reading a “simple bill”
Otherwise, you’ll just end up jinxing yourself.
Rep. Sarah Silva, D-Las Cruces, learned that lesson the hard way with House Bill 143, a measure that would require lobbyists and lobbyists’ employers to file an “activity report”, depending on who engaged in the said activity.
The report would identify specific legislation lobbied and support or opposition and whether their position changed, Read More
CYFD Overhaul Bills Sail Through House; Agency Pushes Back
Minority Leader Gail Armstrong, R-Magdalena
By DANIEL J. CHACÓN
The Santa Fe New Mexican
In a sign lawmakers’ patience with the state Children, Youth and Families Department has run out, the House unanimously approved three bills Tuesday designed to bring greater oversight to the troubled child welfare agency.
All three measures now head to the Senate.
But even if they make it out of the other chamber, their fate is up in the air amid pushback from the Cabinet department.
Child welfare advocate Maralyn Beck, founder of the New Mexico Child First Network, said the unanimous approval shows the Read More
Bill To Increase Top Oil And Gas Royalty Rate Offered On New Mexico State Lands Passes House Committee
Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard
State Land Office News:
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- Offering market rate for premium tracts would generate over a billion dollars in additional value for public schools, universities and hospitals
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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 lands passed the House Energy, Environment & Natural Resources Committee today.
Senate Bill 23, sponsored by Sen. George Muñoz and co-sponsored by Speaker of the House Javier Martinez, Read More
Senate Finance Committee Considers Federal Funding Cuts
By Margaret O’Hara
The Santa Fe New Mexican
A presentation Monday before the Senate Finance Committee offered the clearest picture yet of how changes in federal funding under President Donald Trump might impact New Mexico.
The state’s revenues are slated to remain relatively consistent with projections from before the start of President Donald Trump’s second term, Legislative Finance Committee chief economist Ismael Torres explained to lawmakers.
Cuts to federal funding pose an “even more immediate risk” to the state’s budget, potentially threatening Read More
Stradling: The Nature Of The Conservative Movement
By GARY STRADLING
Los Alamos
We live in interesting times.
As President Donald J. Trump swept the elections in November, many strong opinions about the nature of the Conservative movement have been expressed, from both sides.
I would like to share my own views with our community. Note that this statement does not necessarily represent the Republican Party.
The core value of Conservatism is the respect for the freedoms of individual Americans.
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that Read More
Semiautomatic Weapons Ban Now On The Table
By Daniel J. Chacón
The Santa Fe New Mexican
A proposed ban on semiautomatic firearms in New Mexico is turning out to be a moving target.
The Senate Judiciary Committee decided late Monday to take time to study a proposed assault weapons ban for the state modeled after an Illinois law that is tied up in the courts.
“We’ll have you ready to go at our very next meeting on Wednesday,” Sen. Joe Cervantes, a Las Cruces Democrat who chairs the committee, told the sponsors.
The decision came after Sen. Katy Duhigg, D-Albuquerque, introduced the proposal as a substitute to Senate Bill Read More
Legislative Roundup: 19 Days Remaining In Session
Dancers from Moving Arts Española, from left, Alani Unzueta, Maggie Ortiz, Lauren Gonzalez, perform in the Rotunda at the state Capitol Monday. Photos by Michael G. Seamans/The New Mexican
Dancers from moving Arts Española perform in the Rotunda at the state Capitol on Monday. Photos by Michael G. Seamans/The New Mexican
The Santa Fe New Mexican:
Insurance bill yanked amid opposition: A measure mandating that all motor vehicle owners carry uninsured coverage crashed and burned Monday on the Senate floor.
Sen. Katy Duhigg, D-Albuquerque, pulled Senate Bill 319 after more than an hour of discussion Read More
