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
NMDOH: Winter Is A Good Time To Think About Falls
NMDOH News:
SANTA FE — Did you know that falls are the leading cause of death and injury in adults 65 and older?
Nationwide, one in four older adults experiences a fall each year. These incidents can lead to serious injuries, hospitalizations and long-term disabilities.
“As we age, our balance and strength naturally decline, making falls increasingly dangerous, especially in the winter,” said Samantha Valdez, Adult Falls Prevention Program Coordinator for the New Mexico Department of Health. “It’s essential we raise awareness and take proactive steps to protect our older population.” Read More
