Despite Resistance, Strategic Water Supply Secures Narrow Committee Approval
By MARGARET O’HARA
The Santa Fe New Mexican
Making water policy in the West is a recipe for anxiety.
Rep. Kristina Ortez, D-Taos, was feeling that stress Tuesday as the House Agriculture, Acequias and Water Resources Committee mulled the proposed Strategic Water Supply for New Mexico, an initiative backed by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to treat brackish water and hydraulic fracturing byproducts for industrial uses.
“I have a lot of agita about this bill,” Ortez said.
Despite the nerves — and pushback from both environmental advocates and oil and gas industry representatives — a committee Read More
Smile — Speed Cameras Could Be Coming To A Construction Zone Near You
Transportation Cabinet Secretary Ricky Serna
By DANIEL J. CHACÓN
The Santa Fe New Mexican
Over the last five years, New Mexico State Police has issued more than 13,000 citations in construction zones.
Officers could get help with writing more under a bill the New Mexico Department of Transportation unveiled Tuesday.
Senate Bill 241 would authorize the department to place automated speed enforcement cameras in construction zones, joining 42 other states that have already adopted such measures to protect workers, Transportation Cabinet Secretary Ricky Serna said during a news briefing Read More
Los Alamos National Laboratory’s Economic Impact FY24: Over $1B Spent With New Mexico Businesses
Los Alamos National Laboratory. Courtesy/LANL
LANL News:
Los Alamos National Laboratory released its annual Economic Impact Report detailing spending during fiscal year 2024, which ended Sept. 30. With an annual budget of $5.24 billion, the Laboratory is a major economic driver in the state.
“Los Alamos National Laboratory plays a critical role in the economic viability of the surrounding New Mexico communities,” Laboratory Director Thom Mason said. “Each year, we grow as required by the demands of our national security mission and, in turn, the local economy grows with us.”
Heinrich HALT All Lethal Trafficking Of Fentanyl Act Passes U.S. House Of Representatives
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) announced that his Halt All Lethal Trafficking of (HALT) Fentanyl Act to permanently classify fentanyl-related substances (FRS) as Schedule I drugs, under the Controlled Substances Act, passed the U.S. House of Representatives. This permanent scheduling will give law enforcement the tools they need to keep extremely lethal and dangerous drugs off our streets and ensure scientists can research and better understand these substances.
Last week, Heinrich, with U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Chuck Grassley Read More
House Democrats Push To Lower Costs For New Mexicans
NMDP News:
SANTA FE — Monday, New Mexico House Democrats shared updates on recent progress made for working families in the state and discussed new legislation to help make life more affordable for all New Mexicans. While uncertainty looms at the federal level, House Democrats remain committed to ensuring affordable access to necessities like healthcare, groceries, and childcare, and housing.
“Regardless of what happens in Washington, D.C., your state lawmakers have your back,” Speaker Javier Martínez (D-Albuquerque) said. “Taking care of each other is part of who we are as New Mexicans, Read More
Lobbyists Line Up To Oppose Bill To Provide More Oversight Of Hospital Mergers, Acquisitions
The Roundhouse in Santa Fe. Post file photo
By Daniel J. Chacón
The Santa Fe New Mexican
Acquisitions and mergers of hospitals in New Mexico by private equity companies would undergo increased oversight under legislation generating stiff opposition from some of the most powerful lobbyists in the Roundhouse.
In its first hearing Monday before the Senate Health and Public Affairs Committee, several lobbyists representing various interests, from the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce to Presbyterian Health Services, stood up to voice their opposition to Senate Bill 14.
The committee Read More
2024 Emissions Inventory Live Training Session Feb. 12
NMED News:
Live Training Session: The 2024 Emissions Inventory Training Session is scheduled for 2-3 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025. Use the following link to join the training session: Join the meeting.
The link to attend the training session can also be found on our website.
2024 Emissions Inventory: The NM Environment Department (NMED), and pursuant to 20.2.73.300 NMAC – Emission Inventory Requirements will be collecting the 2024 Emissions Inventory. The emission inventory period begins Jan. 1, 2024, through Dec. 31, 2024, and emissions reporting is due Jan. 1 through April 1, 2025. Read More
‘Medicaid Forward’ Plan For NM Nabs Initial Approval
By Margaret O’Hara
The Santa Fe New Mexican
A proposal to dramatically expand state-administered health insurance coverage took a step forward Monday, after more than a year of research and public input.
The House Health and Human Services Committee voted to advance House Bill 186, which would establish “Medicaid Forward,” greatly extending eligibility for Medicaid while capping health care premiums at 5% of a household income.
The bill’s sponsor, House Majority Leader Reena Szczepanski, D-Santa Fe, said the proposal is a “major affordability initiative” Read More
House Democrats Talk Turkey—And Tortillas—About Affordability Of Essentials
By Margaret O’Hara
The Santa Fe New Mexican
New Mexico House Speaker Javier Martínez recently purchased tortillas as he prepared to cheer on the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl.
The Albuquerque Democrat noticed the price tag for his tortillas was higher over the weekend than it was a month ago.
“This is happening. It’s hitting us,” Martínez said.
During a news conference Monday, House Democratic leaders touted recent progress in reducing the cost of health care and child care while promising more legislation this session to reduce the price of housing and groceries. Read More
Bipartisan Cannabis Regulation Bill Headed To House Floor
NMDP News:
SANTA FE — Legislation to enhance regulation of New Mexico’s recreational cannabis industry is now headed to the House Floor, after unanimously passing the House Judiciary Committee.
House Bill 10 would establish an Enforcement Bureau within the Cannabis Control Division (CCD) at the Regulation and Licensing Department (RLD) to investigate potential criminal violations of New Mexico’s cannabis laws. Under this legislation, CCD agents would be able to undertake lawful searches of cannabis facilities, confiscate suspicious products, pursue legal orders to destroy illegal Read More
