Legislative Roundup: 47 Days Left In Session
The Santa Fe New Mexican:
‘Green amendment’ gets pushback: Conservationists and private citizens hoping to enshrine their right to a clean and healthy environment in the New Mexico Constitution turned up at the state Capitol on Monday to applaud another attempt to pass a “green amendment.”
Three states — New York, Montana and Pennsylvania — have adopted green amendments.
It’s the fifth time New Mexico legislators have tried to get such a bill passed. This year’s version cleared the House Government, Elections and Indian Affairs Committee on a 6-3 vote — but Read More
Bills Seek To Bring Sunshine On Lobbyist Spending And Activities During Legislative Sessions
From New Mexico State Ethics Commission:
SANTA FE – Today Sen. Harold Pope introduced Senate Bill 248 to shine light on the spending and activities of lobbyists during the legislative session.
The bill is one of two which would require lobbyists to disclose which specific legislation they are working on and the source of funds used to influence legislators through meals, special events and other expenditures.
The other is House Bill 143, sponsored by Rep. Sarah Silva and Sen. Jeff Steinborn.
Both are supported by the New Mexico State Ethics Commission, which, in its work enforcing the existing Read More
New Mexico Lawmakers Proposing Education Funding Overhaul, Base Teacher Pay Bumps Get Thumbs Up From House Panel
The Roundhouse in Santa Fe. Post file photo
By Margaret O’Hara
The Santa Fe New Mexican
In education, money matters.
New Mexico lawmakers are proposing big changes to how the state funds its public education system — which represents the single largest piece of the budgetary pie.
House Bill 63 would make major changes to the state’s per-student funding formula — giving an extra boost to middle schools and high schools — while House Bill 156 would bump the base teacher pay by $5,000 at all three tiers of the teacher licensing system.
Both proposals received unanimous — albeit initial — approval Read More
Anchorum Health Foundation Announces New Scholarship For Nurses Seeking Master’s Degrees
From Anchorum Health Foundation:
- Scholarship Seeks to Help Fill Workforce Regional Workforce Shortage
SANTA FE — Applications are now open for a new scholarship, offered by Anchorum Health Foundation, that helps nurses achieve Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degrees. Nurses with MSNs can help fill gaps in the northern New Mexico regional healthcare system, particularly in underserved and primary care settings.
“Scholarships like these are a win-win for our communities,” Anchorum President/CEO Jerry Jones said. “They empower nurses to advance their education without the burden Read More
Op-Ed: New Mexico Legislature Should Focus On Current Needs, Not Building Permanent Funds
By CARTER SWANSON
Policy Analyst
Rio Grande Foundation
More and more New Mexico chooses to stockpile money in permanent funds, rather than spend. The total value of these funds is currently a mind-blowing $58 billion. This means that the New Mexico State Investment Council has one of the largest sovereign wealth funds in the world (according to the Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute).
There are only two states, Texas and Alaska, that have larger funds. It is speculated that in the coming decades, revenue from these permanent funds will surpass revenue from oil and gas.
On its face this sounds like Read More
State Broadband Office To Ask Lawmakers To OK Funding
CNM News:
SANTA FE — Tuesday, the Office of Broadband Access and Expansion (OBAE) will present two proposals to the Senate Finance Committee, seeking to connect nearly 100,000 locations and complete essential broadband projects.
OBAE Acting Director Drew Lovelace will testify before the committee.
“These initiatives are vital to connecting New Mexico,” Lovelace said. “We are urging state lawmakers to understand broadband’s key role in transforming lives and driving community growth in our state.”
Key proposals:
Accelerate Connect NM — $70 million satellite initiative
- Designed
New Curatorial Team To Shape New Mexico History Museum’s Vision For The Future
Mark Dodge
NMDCA News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico History Museum is pleased to announce the expansion of its curatorial team. Mark Dodge joined the museum in October 2024 as the Curator of Southwest Memories and Keri Miki-Lani Schroeder started mid-January as the Curator of the Palace Press. Both positions add to the community engagement and understanding underlying the “Framework for the Future,” the museum’s vision for interpretation and dynamic collaborations presenting the stories of New Mexico through the lenses of inclusion, relevance, and engagement.
“I am so pleased Mark and Keri Read More
Governor Backs Bill To Create Cannabis Enforcement Bureau Housed In State Licensing Department
Propagation technician Stacie Nichols trims the “mother” plants that define the genetic characteristics of cannabis strains at the Ultra Health cannabis production facility in Bernalillo in February 2024. The CEO of Ultra Health said his concern is House Bill 10 would, essentially, “create another group of people doing what law enforcement should already be doing.” Photo by Jim Weber/Santa Fe New Mexican
By CORMAC DODD
The Santa Fe New Mexican
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in New Mexico announced last week federal indictments of three people accused in a sprawling illegal cannabis cultivation Read More
Capitol Staff Keeps Roundhouse Rolling During Session
Claudia Diaz, a custodial supervisor at the Capitol, does her rounds in the Walter K. Martinez Memorial Walkway last month. Diaz has worked in custodial services at the Roundhouse for 16 years and says she logs 25,000 steps a day during the legislative session to keep the building clean. Photo by Michael G. Seamans/The New Mexican
By DANIEL J. CHACÓN
The Santa Fe New Mexican
It takes a small army to keep the Roundhouse running like a well-oiled machine, particularly during a legislative session when thousands of people pile into the state Capitol.
While the spotlight tends to be on lawmakers and Read More
Hundreds Of Immigrants To March & Rally In Santa Fe Today
From Somos Acción:
SANTA FE—Today, Somos Acción and over a dozen organizations will host this year’s Immigrant and Workers’ Day of Action, a powerful day of advocacy, resistance and solidarity.
Hundreds will march and rally to honor immigrants’ invaluable contributions to New Mexico and demand stronger protections for immigrant workers and their families.
The event will include powerful immigrant speakers from across New Mexico. legislators, and the voices of community leaders and advocates. After the march and rally, participants will engage in lobby visits to support a host of pro-immigrant Read More
