Commentary: Rube And New Mexico Residents Should Be Confused By This Bad Bill
By BILL CHURCH
The Santa Fe New Mexican
The dynamics of a legislative body — especially one trying to find its identity — are similar to the junior year of high school. The 11th grade is cited as critical for social emotional learning, which is a fancy way of describing the art of playing well with others.
There are lawmakers who get noticed for their personal skills, work ethic and public service. Others who are more focused on getting attention. And others who are ignored.
Just like high school.
Who knows which cool-kids clique Rep. Kathleen Cates, a Democrat, wants to hang with at the Roundhouse, Read More
‘Constitutional Carry’ Bill Fails; Human Trafficking, Inappropriate Touching Bills Advance
The Roundhouse in Santa Fe. Post file photo
The Santa Fe New Mexican:
‘Constitutional carry’ bill fails: An effort to eliminate the need for adults who can legally own a gun to obtain permits to carry concealed handguns failed to advance out of its first committee on Tuesday.
House Bill 83, sponsored by three House Republicans, was tabled on a 4-2 party-line vote in the House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee.
Sponsor Rep. John Block, R-Alamogordo, said requiring New Mexicans to obtain permits for concealed carry was unconstitutional and imposes “unnecessary bureaucratic obstacles on Read More
Notice Of Availability Of Stakeholder Review Draft – Proposed Amendments To 20.2.70 NMAC, Operating Permits
NMED News:
The Air Quality Bureau (“Bureau”) in the Environmental Protection Division of the New Mexico Environment Department proposes to repeal and replace 20.2.70 NMAC, Operating Permits, to address a mandate by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) directing the removal of certain affirmative defense provisions in the New Mexico Title V Permit Program at 20.2.70.304 NMAC, Emergency Provision.
July 12, 2023 (88 FR 47029), the EPA removed the “emergency” affirmative defense provisions from Clean Air Act (“CAA”) operating permit program regulations at 40 CFR 70.6(g) Read More
NM State Bar Foundation’s Legal Resources For The Elderly Program Is Hosting A Free Virtual Legal Webinar Feb. 11
NMSB News:
ALBUQUERQUE — The New Mexico State Bar Foundation’s Legal Resources for the Elderly Program (LREP) will be hosting a free virtual legal webinar starting at 11 a.m. (MT), Feb. 11.
The webinar, which aims to equip the elderly or their caretakers with the tools and resources they need to plan for the future, will cover Powers of Attorney, Advance Health Care Directives, probate, non-probate transfers (including Transfer on Death Deeds) and Institutional Medicaid.
New Mexico residents can register for this free webinar online at https://bit.ly/LREP-Feb-11 or by calling 505.797.6005 Read More
Bill Banning New Oil And Gas Facilities Near Schools Clears House Committee
The Roundhouse in Santa Fe. Post file photo
By RICHARD MARK GLOVER
The Santa Fe New Mexican
Bilton Werito — a member of the Counselor Chapter of the Navajo Nation, a combat veteran and a former oil field worker — stood in the high-desert sun, gazing at the sky as if hope might tumble down. He is the father of two boys. They are both sick.
“We moved to Counselor two years ago after my wife died. Since then, my sixth grader has developed headaches two or three times a week, nausea, itchiness in his throat and a skin rash around his mouth. My youngest just coughs all the time,” Werito said on a recent day.
Less than Read More
Hilltalkers Place High In State & National Tournaments
The Los Alamos High School Hilltalkers recently competed at the Cave Classic Tournament hosted by La Cueva High School. Courtesy/LAPS
LAPS News:
The Los Alamos High School Hilltalkers Speech and Debate team had a successful tournament on Martin Luther King Jr. weekend hosted by La Cueva High School. The Cave Classic Tournament announced 15 members of the Hilltalkers as top five in their respective events during the award ceremony on Saturday night.
The team is proud to congratulate these individuals:
Dramatic Interpretation
Lucia Rudin – 1st Place
Duo Interpretation
Emily Xu and Read More
New Mexico Courts Switching To Bilingual Postcards To Notify People Of Jury Duty
NMSC News:
SANTA FE — New Mexicans will soon receive a postcard, rather than a letter, when they are summoned to jury duty by a state court.
New Mexico is the first statewide court system to use a bilingual postcard summons with instructions for prospective jurors in English and Spanish. View a sample of the postcard here.
Starting next week, the Judiciary will begin mailing postcards to notify people when they have been ordered to jury duty by one of New Mexico’s district or magistrate courts or the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court.
The summons features a QR code that can be scanned with a mobile Read More
Luján Statement On Voting Against RFK Jr. To Serve As Nation’s Top Health Official
U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján
SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Committee on Finance, issued the following statement after Senate Republicans voted to advance Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination to serve as Secretary of Health and Human Services:
“Despite Mr. Kennedy’s troubling track record of peddling misinformation and conspiracy theories, Senate Republicans have chosen to advance his nomination to the Senate Floor. Mr. Kennedy is not only a dangerous nominee that will undermine public health, but he also has no real plan to lower costs or Read More
Ringside Seat: Fresh Hope For New Mexicans Without Representation
By MILAN SIMONICH
The Santa Fe New Mexican
Maybe one of the bigger messes in state government can be cleaned up without Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham again having to summon the residency police.
The McKinley County commissioners on Tuesday unanimously nominated 78-year-old Martha Garcia to fill the vacant seat in District 6 of the state House of Representatives.
She lists her hometown as Pinehill in Cibola County. Barring any doubt about her residency, Garcia looks like the new front-runner to belatedly take office in District 6.
An appointment can’t come soon enough. The district’s 30,000 Read More
Celebrating 50 Years Of Child Support In New Mexico: Advancing A Modern Family-Centered Approach
HCA News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Health Care Authority launches a yearlong series of statewide events this month to mark the 50th anniversary of its child support program and connect families with resources.
“Our free services help parents navigate the child support process and connect paying parents with employment services,” Betina Gonzales McCracken, director of CSSD said. “This family-centered approach ensures New Mexico’s children receive the support they need to thrive.”
The statewide outreach events will highlight the comprehensive services Read More
