Foreclosure Process Task Force Memorial Passes Senate 29-13
NM SENATE News:
SANTA FE—The Senate passed a memorial Sunday that calls for the creation of a task force to develop a set of recommendations to the legislature on how to avoid the issue of improper home foreclosures.
“Passage of this legislation is a victory for all New Mexico homeowners,” Sen. Michael Padilla, D-Bernalillo said. Padilla sponsored Senate Memorial 11 (SM 11). “This legislation will bring all aspects of the home loan mortgage industry together to avoid improper foreclosures.”
The task force will be made up of housing corporation representatives, independent living Read More
Senate Proposes Elected Board of Education
Sen. Michael Padilla
STATE News:
SANTA FE—Legislation that would let voters decide whether to let public school education policy be decided by professional educators, instead of the changing gubernatorial administrations, was reviewed by the Senate Judicial Committee in the Roundhouse Saturday afternoon.
Senate Joint Resolution 2 (SJR2) proposes to create an elected state Board of Education that will appoint a qualified superintendent of education.
“These last few years have seen the public schools in New Mexico being directed by the political climate of the governor’s administration Read More
New Mexico’s Aviation Industry on Display in Santa Fe
STATE News:
SANTA FE—Come fly with us … and see what’s happening in New Mexico’s skies. Wednesday, Feb. 19, the New Mexico Airport Managers Association, in conjunction with the New Mexico Department of Transportation’s Aviation Division, will host Aviation Day 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the West Wing of the State Capitol.
Dozens of members of New Mexico’s aviation community will be on hand to discuss the impact and importance of aviation in the state. There also will be displays from organizations including the New Mexico Aviation Aerospace Association, Balloon Fiesta, the 58th Special Operations Read More
Lottery Solvency Bill Passes Senate Finance
NM SENATE News:
SANTA FE—New Mexico’s Lottery Tuition Fund could be a little closer to getting its solvency issue resolved as Senate Bill 347 (SB 347) passed the Senate Finance Committee Monday.
The bill appropriates $11 million from the general fund for fiscal year 2014, appropriates $11.5 million in general fund revenues for fiscal year 2015, and in fiscal year 2016 creates a distribution from the general fund portion of revenues resulting from the liquor excise tax.
Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez, D-Bernalillo and Valencia, who sponsored the bill, was the lead sponsor of the original Read More
Senate Passes Memorial Celebrating Fifth Anniversary of International District
STATE News:
SANTA FE–The New Mexico State Senate passed Senate Memorial 90, recognizing the fifth anniversary of the “International District,” previously known as the “War Zone.”
Sen. Tim Keller, D-Bernalillo led the charge in 2009 to erase the negative “War Zone” label by changing the name of the area in Albuquerque to the “International District.” That was accomplished with the 2009 passage of Senate Joint Memorial 24, which mirrored county and city legislation.
“Our desire for a new identity truly came from the ground up. We have much to be proud of, much to celebrate, and we offer the broadest Read More
Legislators Ask AG to Expand Investigation of Controversial Lease Award
New Mexico Roundhouse
STATE News:
SANTA FE—A group of 14 state legislators, prompted by information learned in the Senate Rules Committee (SRC) this week, sent a letter to the Attorney General Thursday requesting that the office expand its investigation of the controversial lease award to The Downs Racetrack & Casino.
The letter, signed by eight senators and six representatives, is based upon statements made public from three former and current State Fair Commissioners, all Republican appointees of Gov. Susana Martinez. Current State Fair commissioner Kenneth “Twister” Smith, Read More
Senate Passes Legislation to Help State Permanent Fund
State News:
With bipartisan support, the Senate passed legislation Saturday that, if voters approve, will allow state investors to take greater advantage of a burgeoning global economy, which throughout the last decade has proven to outperform current investment strategies required by law.
Senate Joint Resolution 4 (SJR4) seeks to let voters decide whether to amend the state constitution to remove the current 15 percent cap on what can be invested on international securities. Since the cap on foreign investment was put into place in 1992, the global economy has grown tremendously and New Read More
‘Helping Our Middle Class Entrepreneurs’ Act Introduced
U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham
U.S. HOUSE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham, N.M.-1, has introduced the Helping Our Middle Class Entrepreneurs (HOME) Act (H.R. 4052), legislation to support small businesses and encourage entrepreneurship.
Specifically, the bill would simplify the income tax filing process for small business owners who operate primarily out of their homes by creating a permanent $1,500 standard home office deduction. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, home-based enterprises make up 52 percent of all small businesses.
Currently, Read More
Bill to Crack Down on Rampant Copper/Metal Theft Unanimously Passes House
Rep. Bobby Gonzales
NM HOUSE News:
Legislation allows for arrest, prosecution, and sentencing for disruption of Communications and Utilities
SANTA FE—A bill that criminalizes the theft of or intentional damage to communications and utilities, including copper theft, has passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 60-0.
House Business and Industry Committee Substitute for House Bill 239 (Disruption of Communications and Utilities) as amended, sponsored by Rep. Roberto “Bobby” Gonzales, D-Taos, makes it a crime if the theft or damage creates a public safety hazard or causes Read More
Skandera Fails to Receive Confirmation Recommendation
Hanna Skandera
NM SENATE News:
SANTA FE–Hanna Skandera failed to receive a favorable recommendation for confirmation as New Mexico’s Public Education Department Secretary in a Senate Rules Committee hearing today.
A motion for “No Recommendation” stalled in a 5-5 vote. A motion to recommend her confirmation to the full Senate failed on a 4-6 vote. Another motion to reject her confirmation was made but failed to receive a second. The effect of the tie vote means that the full Senate will not consider her nomination for confirmation.
Rules Chair Sen. Linda Lopez, D-Bernalillo, did not take public Read More
