Date Correction: LAPS Notice Of Possible Quorum Feb. 25
LAPS Public Notice:
Members of the Los Alamos School Board may attend the New Mexico Youth Risk and Resiliency Survey Results event, 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 25 at the Los Alamos High School Speech Theater.
A quorum may be present; however no action will be taken. Read More
State Unanimously Passes Landmark Wildfire Protection Bill
A home and landscape after the South Fork Fire in Ruidoso. Photo by Laura Doth
NMFD News:
SANTA FE — Senate Bill 33, establishing grant programs to help New Mexicans fortify their properties to better withstand wildfires, passed the State Senate today on a unanimous vote.
The bill, sponsored by Sen. Elizabeth Stefanics and Rep. Harlan Vincent, now moves to the House of Representatives.
The measure creates grant programs to help both local governments and private citizens fortify properties to better withstand wildfires. It also expands an existing Fire Planning Task Force and charges it Read More
Lawmakers Look To Build Up ‘Future Money’
By Daniel J. Chacón
The Santa Fe New Mexican
Every now and then, Jon Clark has trouble sleeping at night.
Given his responsibilities at work, can you blame him?
As New Mexico’s state investment officer, Clark oversees more than $61 billion in estimated total assets under the management of the New Mexico State Investment Council.
“I think about this job almost every moment that I’m awake,” said Clark, who stepped into the high-profile post a little over a year ago.
“I don’t have kids,” Clark added. “But I have so many friends who have kids, and Read More
Haaland Visits Los Alamos Daily Post During Local Stop
New Mexico Gubernatorial Candidate Deb Haaland, center, visited the Los Alamos Daily Post early this evening following her Meet & Greet with some 200 community members at Cottonwood on the Greens. From left, Post government reporter Kirsten Laskey, International Women’s Forum member Nancy Bartlit, Haaland and International Women’s Forum members Liddie Martinez and Helen Perraglio. Haaland is visiting small towns and cities across New Mexico throughout February and into March. Watch for scenes and details from her local meet & greet Monday at ladailypost.com. Learn more Read More
County Council To Meet In Regular Session Feb. 25
Councilors from left, David Reagor, Ryn Herrmann, Beverly Neal-Clinton, Melanee Hand, Randall Ryti, Vice Chair Suzie Havemann and Chair Theresa Cull. Courtesy/LAC
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos County Council Regular Sessions are held at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers at the Los Alamos County Municipal Building, 1000 Central Ave. A Zoom option is offered for remote participation (Zoom Link).
View Tuesday’s agenda and use the eComments tool to provide public comment.
Items of interest include:
- Approval of Art in Public Places Funds to commission four Glass Mosaic Designs from Artist J Muzacz;
Legislative Roundup: 28 Days Remaining In Session
The Roundhouse in Santa Fe. Post file photo
The New Mexican:
Water bill minus fracking water advances: A new version of the Strategic Water Supply Act advanced out of the House Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Committee on a unanimous vote Saturday morning.
Backed by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, House Bill 137 is aimed at finding new water sources for the state. It was amended to eliminate the most controversial portion, which would have encouraged the reuse of fracking wastewater. The current bill just encourages the reuse of naturally occurring salty water, or “brackish water” Read More
Tales Of Our Times: EPA Warns Of Iran, China Waging Cyberwar On U.S. Water Facilities
Tales Of Our Times
By JOHN BARTLIT
New Mexico Citizens
for Clean Air & Water
Ancient Persia had a place on history’s pathway that brought the technology and culture of acequias for water usage from the Middle East to Morocco to Moorish Spain and eventually to hundreds of villages in Northern New Mexico. An “acequia” is a ditch system of irrigation that works by gravity and to this day is still managed by its users. The name itself goes back thousands of years to the Arabic.
But aspects change. Modern Iran is pure trouble for the more recent water systems in our nation. To update us, the U.S. EPA offers Read More
Democratic Leaders Say Children, Youth And Families Dept. Reform, Crime To Be Priorities In Second Half Of Session
Rep. Christine Chandler, D-Los Alamos, speaks at a news conference on the House floor on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, to discuss the progress lawmakers have made in addressing crime and behavioral health. Nathan Brown/The New Mexican
Sen. Joseph Cervantes, D-Las Cruces, speaks at a news conference on the House floor on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, to discuss the progress lawmakers have made in addressing crime and behavioral health. Nathan Brown/The New Mexican
Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth, D-Santa Fe, speaks at a news conference on the House floor on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, to discuss the Read More
Bill To Increase Top Oil And Gas Royalty Rate On New Mexico State Lands Passes Senate
From the New Mexico State Land Office:
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- Offering market rate for premium tracts would generate over $1 billion in additional value for public schools, universities and hospitals
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SANTA FE – For the first time, 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 from 20% to the market rate of 25% passed the full New Mexico Senate today.
Senate Bill 23, sponsored by Sen. George Muñoz and co-sponsored by Speaker of the House Javier Martinez, Sen. Liz Stefanics and Rep. Read More
Gubernatorial Candidate Deb Haaland’s Statewide Tour To Stop In Los Alamos Sunday Afternoon
Deb Haaland will attend a Meet & Greet at 4 p.m. Sunday at Cottonwood on the Greens. Courtesy photo
From the Haaland for Governor Campaign:
- Haaland is traveling the state to meet & hear from New Mexicans
ALBUQUERQUE – Deb Haaland, candidate for New Mexico governor, will continue her statewide campaign launch tour at a Meet & Greet with the community at 4 p.m. Sunday at Cottonwood on the Greens, 4244 Diamond Drive.
Haaland’s launch tour includes 19 stops in small towns and cities across New Mexico throughout February and into March.
Last week, Haaland launched her campaign with a video Read More
Public Safety, Behavioral Health Bills Pass Senate, House
Sen. Joseph Cervantes
By ESTEBAN CANDELARIA and NATHAN BROWN
The Santa Fe New Mexican
Bills to crack down on crime and improve New Mexico’s behavioral health system took major steps forward Friday and may reach the governor’s desk soon.
House Bill 8, which would reform criminal competency laws as well as cracking down on shooting threats, fentanyl trafficking and drunken driving, passed the Senate 38-3 Friday evening after extensive debate. The bill needs to go back to the House to concur with or reject some amendments made in the Senate Judiciary Committee earlier this week and on the Senate Read More
State Budget Sails Through House Finance Committee
The Roundhouse in Santa Fe. Post file photo
By ALAINA MENCINGER
The Santa Fe New Mexican
It took less than 15 minutes for the state’s budget bill for the coming year to sail through the House Appropriations and Finance Committee on a 16-1 vote.
After a brief introduction in which Legislative Finance Committee staff and committee chair Rep. Nathan Small highlighted increases in recurring funding for education, the Office of the State Engineer and public safety, including raises for state police officers, legislators were quick to move House Bill 2 along.
“When we think about it broadly: schools Read More
Legislative Roundup: 29 Days Remaining In Session
The New Mexican:
Water overhaul heads to Senate: A bill giving New Mexico control of regulation of its own waters is headed to the Senate floor.
Senate Bill 2 cleared the Senate Finance Committee on a 6-4 vote Friday morning. It already went through the Senate Conservation and Judiciary committees.
The measure is being sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth, D-Santa Fe, Sen. Bobby Gonzales, D-Ranchos de Taos and Rep. Kristina Ortez, D-Taos. It would let the state Environment Department take over an Environmental Protection Agency permitting system for pollutants discharged into Read More
Governor’s Cabinet, Field Experts Side With CYFD Against Plan To Overhaul Agency Leadership
Cabinet Secretary Kari Armijo
Health Care Authority
By ESTEBAN CANDELARIA
The Santa Fe New Mexican
The governor’s Cabinet circled around Children, Youth and Families Department Secretary Teresa Casados on Friday in an effort to protect her job against legislation that would eliminate it.
Chiefs of the state’s Health Care Authority, Early Childhood Education and Care Department, Public Education Department and Department of Workforce Solutions all stood against House Joint Resolution 5 at a House Health and Human Services Committee hearing on Friday. The measure would, if approved Read More
Baby Bonds A Crucial Investment In New Mexico’s Health
By Dr. Samuel Swift, MPH, PhD
As an assistant professor teaching public health, I begin every class by asking my students what they believe is the biggest public health problem in New Mexico. Semester after semester, the most common answer I get is “poverty”.
Our students know intuitively what over a century of epidemiological research has shown, which is that wealth creates health.
New Mexicans who have more educational and economic opportunities live longer lives, are more able to avoid preventable diseases, and contribute more to our community. Unfortunately, many of our young adults Read More
DPS Cabinet Secretary Jason R. Bowie Issues Public Statement On New Mexico Law Enforcement Certification Board Special Meeting Of Feb. 21, 2025
By JASON R. BOWIE
Cabinet Secretary
New Mexico Department of Public Safety
Before I begin, I want to acknowledge the members of this board, (New Mexico Law Enforcement Certification Board) (LECB), who work tirelessly to ensure accountability in law enforcement. Your service, largely voluntary, is essential to the State of New Mexico and does not go unnoticed. Also, there are chiefs and sheriffs, current and retired, on this board which I’ve witnessed firsthand have demonstrated exceptional leadership throughout their career and while serving their communities. My remarks today are Read More
Senate Bill 176 To Reform New Mexico’s Medical Malpractice Law Gains 20 Bipartisan Sponsors
From Think New Mexico:
Senate Bill 176, which proposes three patient-centered reforms to New Mexico’s medical malpractice law, continues to gather momentum and has now picked up 20 bipartisan sponsors:
Democratic Sponsors of SB 176
- Sen. Martin Hickey (D-Abq)
- Sen. George Muñoz (D-Gallup)
- Sen. Bobby Gonzales (D-Taos)
- Sen. Liz Stefanics (D-Santa Fe)
- Rep. Anita Gonzales (D-Las Vegas)
- Rep. D. Wonda Johnson (D-Rehoboth)
- Rep. Patricia Lundstrom (D-Gallup)
- Rep. Marian Matthews (D-Abq)
- Rep. Joseph Sanchez (D-Alcalde)
- Rep. Sarah Silva (D-Las Cruces)
Republican Sponsors of SB 176
- Sen. Pat Woods
Fracking Wastewater Slashed From ‘Strategic Supply’ Bill, But $74 Million Allocation Remains
Norm Gaume
President
New Mexico Water Advocates
By ALAINA MENCINGER
The Santa Fe New Mexican
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham made waves in 2023 when she announced a plan to ensure a secure water source for New Mexico.
She pointed to two unorthodox, untapped water resources: brackish water — or naturally occurring, salty water — and what’s known as “produced water” — a byproduct of hydraulic fracturing.
The latter instantly generated controversy.
Although the measure floundered last year, Lujan Grisham was ready to try again to incentivize the treatment and reuse of both brackish Read More
U.S. Rep. Leger Fernández, New Mexico Farmers And Advocates Speak Out Against Freeze Of USDA Funding
Scene from U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández hosting a press conference Thursday with local farmers, ranchers, Tribal representatives and conservation leaders in Santa Fe. Courtesy photo
From the Office of U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández:
SANTA FE – U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (D-NM) hosted a press conference Thursday with local farmers, ranchers, Tribal representatives and conservation leaders to denounce the Trump Administration’s funding freeze on critical U.S. Department of Agriculture programs, including the Environmental Quality Incentives Read More
Sen. Block Proposes DOGE-like Office For New Mexico
Sen. Jay Block
By DANIEL J. CHACÓN
The Santa Fe New Mexican
If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, President Donald Trump would surely be charmed by state Sen. Jay Block.
The freshman Rio Rancho Republican dropped a bill Thursday to create a Government Accountability to Taxpayer Office, which would essentially be New Mexico’s version of the federal Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE.
“It really came about from seeing all the vast amount of fraud, waste and abuse coming out of DOGE at the federal government, [which] is what we’re seeing, and I firmly believe there’s money being Read More
