Politics

House Passes Memorial To Protect Chaco Canyon

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Kin Bineola is an Ancestral Puebloan great house and archeological site 12 miles from Pueblo Bonito in Chaco Culture National Historical Park. Courtedy/NPS

 

STATE News:

SANTA FE — Tonight, House Memorial 70, the Protection of Chaco Canyon Landscape, sponsored by Rep. Derrick Lente (D-Sandia Pueblo), passed the New Mexico House of Representatives in a 31-28 party-line vote.

HM 70 requests that the federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM) respect their established relationship with tribal entities by consulting with tribes on any hydraulic fracking operations around Read More

Letter To The Editor: What’s Next For The Sheriff?

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Bill To Rein In Predatory Loan Practices Clears Hurdle

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Rep. Patty Lundstrom
 
STATE News:
 
SANTA FE ― Rep. Patty Lundstrom’s (D-Gallup) bill to rein in predatory loan practices has passed the House Judiciary Committee by a 9-1 vote.
 
HB 347 would limit the fees and charges financial institutions add to installment loans, also known as payday loans, and implement financial literacy programs in the state.
 
“We need to make sure the consumer financial market works for everyday New Mexicans, not just the well-connected,” said Representative Patty Lundstrom (D-Gallup). “New Mexicans deserve access to
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Luján Introduces Two Measures Designed To Increase Transparency In Political Advertising

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U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján
 
U.S. CONGRESSIONAL News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), introduced two pieces of legislation March 8 to increase transparency and openness in the political system by making it easier to determine exactly who is sponsoring and paying for political ads.
 
Luján’s bills make it easier to determine who is funding anonymous political ads and require that information filed with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) about those ads be more available and accessible to the public.
 
“Since the Citizens United decision
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Letter To The Editor: Veto Override Of HB241 Hurts

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By CHARLES BOWYER
NEW-NM Executive Director
 
Gov. Susana Martinez doesn’t think teachers are human, too, since she vetoed HB 241 introduced by Republican legislators.
 
The veto is inhumane – hurting both students and educators. House Bill 241 recognizes that teachers might occasionally need to take sick leave.
 
Fortunately the majority in both the House (only three votes against) and Senate (unanimously in favor) do believe teachers are human, too.
 
Educators statewide urge the House and the Senate to override the Governor’s
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Udall Votes Against Friedman For Ambassador To Israel

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U.S. Sen. Tom Udall 
 
U.S. SENATE News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― March 9, in the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, U.S. Sen. Tom Udall voted against confirming David Friedman for ambassador to Israel.
 
Udall cited Friedman’s litany of well-documented, extreme, and inflammatory positions and statements maligning members of the Senate, the Obama administration, other public officials, and prominent Jewish organizations. 
 
The Committee advanced Mr. Friedman’s nomination by a narrow 12 to 9 margin, and
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Solar Panels On State Buildings Passes Committee

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HOUSE DEMOCRATS News:
 
SANTA FE ― An important committee of the New Mexico House of Representatives March 9 voted on a bipartisan basis to advance Senate Bill 227, a bill requiring state government to install solar energy panels on its 750 buildings, so long as it would provide a net savings on utility costs and not require any upfront costs. 
 
Sen. Jeff Steinborn of Las Cruces, the bill’s sponsor, said the legislation will give taxpayers and the State potentially huge potential savings on electric and energy costs. 
 
The bill now moves to the
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AG Scam Alert: Attorney General Warns Consumers About Top Scams Hitting New Mexico

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Attorney General Hector Balderas
 
PUBLIC SAFETY News:
 
ALBUQUERQUE ― On Day 6 of National Consumer Protection Week, Attorney General Balderas issued a Scam Alert for the top scams hitting New Mexico consumers.
 
“During Consumer Protection Week, I’m urging New Mexicans to educate themselves about the most common scams hitting New Mexico households and how to spot them before it’s too late,” Balderas said. “Never, ever give out your personal or financial information to someone who calls or emails you.”
 
Top scams hitting New Mexico households
 
Offers
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Bill To Invest In New Mexico Infrastructure Projects Passes House

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STATE DEMOCRATS News:
 
SANTA FE ― A bill that would invest in New Mexico infrastructure projects passed the New Mexico House, March 9, by a bipartisan vote of 47-20.
 
HB 405 allows the State Investment Council (SIC) to invest half of the state’s permanent fund infrastructure investments on infrastructure projects in New Mexico.
 
“By investing in our state’s infrastructure we are ensuring job creation and long term economic growth,” bill sponsor Representative Antonio Maestas (D-Albuquerque) said. “It should be the policy of state and local governments to invest
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Scenes From Los Alamos ‘Day Without A Woman’

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Los Alamos County Councilor Chris Chandler speaks to a crowd of some 200 people gathered Wednesday at Ashley Pond Park for the Day Without A Woman! event as part of International Women’s Day. The goal of the rally was to highlight the economic power and significance that women have in the US and global economies, while calling attention to the economic injustices women continue to face. ‘No doubt many of you are worried about the things that are happening in our country,’ Chandler said. ‘We can all make a difference … Let’s commit to constructive action.’ Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
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