NMFOG Opposes Anti-Transparency House Bill 283
NMFOG News:
SANTA FE — Every New Mexican is guaranteed timely and easy access to public records. House Bill 283 would take that away.
The New Mexico Foundation for Open Government (NMFOG) is standing up against HB 283 because it would make it harder for New Mexicans to get important government records such as birth certificates, property tax info, and car accident reports needed for insurance.
If HB 283 is signed into law:
- There would be a committee to determine punishments for members of the public deemed bothersome by records departments;
- People would have to certify how they plan to use the records
Billion Dollar Behavioral Health Trust Fund Passes Senate
By ALAINA MENCINGER
The Santa Fe New Mexican
A massive investment in the state’s behavioral health care system swept through the New Mexico Senate on Friday — and, with five weeks to go in the legislative session, in record time.
Senate Majority Floor Leader Peter Wirth in January promised to turbo-charge the process and get a package of public safety-related legislation to the governor’s desk as soon as possible.
If the bill numbers were any indication, the plan’s working so far. With almost 400 bills filed in the Senate alone, the trio of bills — SB1, SB2 and SB3 — was first in line.
The bipartisan Read More
Legislative Roundup: 35 Days Remaining In Session
Audrey Carter, chaplain of the National Council of Negro Women, celebrates Black History Month in the Rotunda of the state Capitol in Santa Fe Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Photo by Michael G. Seamans/The New Mexican
Pink speckles the floor of the House of Representatives to recognize this year’s largest female legislative majority in U.S. history at the state Capitol in Santa Fe Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Photo by Michael G. Seamans/The New Mexican
The Santa Fe New Mexican:
Session changes advance: The House Judiciary Committee unanimously voted Friday afternoon to advance a proposed constitutional Read More
Think New Mexico: Healthcare Compact Bills HB 79, 81, 82 To Be Heard 11 AM Saturday In House Judiciary Committee
New Mexico Press Association Members And Others Provide Public Testimony In Support Of Senate Bills 110 & 111
Several members of the New Mexico Press Association spent time Thursday at the Roundhouse providing public testimony in support of Senate Bills 110 and 111 to the Senate Tax, Business and Transportation Committee. These bills are sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth, D-Santa Fe, and deal with a tax credit for news organizations in addition to a proposal to update protections for reporters’ sources and communications. Briefing the Senate Committee are Senate Majority Leader Wirth, left, and Santa Fe New Mexican Publisher Patrick Dorsey, right. Others providing supportive public Read More
Learn To Mix New Mexican Mocktails At Los Luceros
Courtesy/LLHS
Los Luceros Historic Site News:
Los Luceros Historic Site is offering a fun workshop making mocktails, or mock cocktails, using Northern New Mexico ingredients, 1-3 p.m. Saturday, March 1.
The Moxie Mocktails workshop will teach participants how to use the flavors of plants found in Northern New Mexico to make delicious beverages. From a Spicy Agua Fresca to a Hibiscus Hot Punch, Gabriela Silva of Northern Rio Grande National Heritage Area and Michelle Zupan of Los Luceros will help participants mix new drinks to taste and serve cookies to snack on.
Participants will receive Read More
Legislative Roundup: 37 Days Remaining In Session
The Roundhouse in Santa Fe. Post file photo
The Santa Fe New Mexican:
Special ed office clears committee: A bill to formally create an Office of Special Education under the Public Education Department made it out of the Senate Education Committee with two “no” votes Wednesday.
The office had existed prior, thanks to a 2023 executive order from Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, but Senate Bill 38, which is being sponsored by Senate President Pro Tempore Mimi Stewart, D-Albuquerque, would codify it within state law and expand its duties.
While no funding request is included in the bill, the expansion Read More
Republicans’ Bills Get Hearings But Little Love From Dems
Payton McNabb, 19, of North Carolina, who was injured during a high school volleyball game by a transgender teen on the opposing team, speaks to reporters at the state Capitol in Santa Fe during a news conference held today by Republican lawmakers backing a bill that would prohibit transgender athletes from competing against girls. Photo by Michael G. Seamans/The New Mexican
By DANIEL J. CHACÓN
The Santa Fe New Mexican
A bill that would prohibit transgender athletes from participating in girls’ and women’s sports at schools.
A bill that would get rid of the requirement for concealed carry licenses. Read More
Heinrich Delivers Floor Speech Opposing Nomination Of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. For Health Secretary
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — This afternoon, U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) delivered remarks on the Senate floor amplifying the voices of New Mexicans opposing the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to be the U.S. Secretary for Health and Human Services.
“I hope all of my colleagues take seriously what it would mean to confirm this anti-vaccine, anti-science snake oil salesman as our next Secretary of Health and Human Services,” said Heinrich.
Heinrich began his remarks by recounting how Mr. Kennedy’s 2019 trip to the Pacific island of Samoa intensified vaccine skepticism Read More
New Public Safety Package Mingles Competency And Crime, Drawing Concerns On Both Sides
By MARGARET O’HARA
The Santa Fe New Mexican
What’s the difference between going to trial and taking a plea deal?
What does the prosecutor do? And who’s that sitting at the head of the courtroom, wearing the black robe?
These are some of the questions defense attorneys use to gauge a client’s competency — a legal term referring to a defendant’s mental capacity to understand the charges they face and to help in their own defense.
Second Judicial District Defender Dennica Torres said defense attorneys raise competency concerns when their clients “don’t understand that they’re Read More
