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
Los Alamos Boys Wrestling Competes At State
Los Alamos High School wrestlers Angel Fresquez (left), Brailyn Manzanares, Cooper Beavers, Adrian Oshel, Michael Fichtel and Nathan Duffield. Courtesy photo
Coach Rob Manzanares (left), Elias Lovato, Anjel Fresquez, Coach Trae Perez, Adrian Oshel, Frank Sheppard, Cooper Beavers, Coach Paul Wilson, Nathan Duffield, Ethan Obrey, Michael Fichtel, Matt Wehner, Stewart Miller, Brailyn Manzanares and Avalon Bullock at the state wrestling tournament. Courtesy photo
SPORTS News:
The Los Alamos Boys wrestling team concluded a great season this year by qualifying six wrestlers for the Read More
Court Implements New Behavioral Health Treatment Program In Santa Fe, Rio Arriba And Los Alamos Counties
NMSC News:
SANTA FE — People who repeatedly fail to adhere to voluntary mental health treatment may be ordered by a court to receive outpatient treatment under a newly implemented program serving Santa Fe, Rio Arriba and Los Alamos counties.
The Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) program seeks to help people who repeatedly have been hospitalized or jailed because they do not participate in treatment on a voluntary basis and as a result exhibit violent behavior or threaten harm to themselves or others.
Under the program, family members, behavioral health providers and others can request Read More
