Politics

Bipartisan Bill To Ban Coyote Killing Contests Passes State Senate

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STATE SENATE News:
 
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Senate has passed Senate Bill 268, sponsored by Sen. Jeff Steinborn (D-Las Cruces) and Sen. Mark Moores (R-Albuquerque), to ban coyote killing contests by a 26-15 vote.
 
“Our wildlife is part of what makes the Land of Enchantment special, and the fact that these thrill-killing contests continue to be held in New Mexico is unacceptable,” Sen. Steinborn said.
 
Senate Bill 268 previously passed the Senate Conservation Committee by a 6-3 vote, the Senate Judiciary Committee 7-2, and after yesterday’s Senate floor
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Data Breach Notification Passes Senate Committee

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HOUSE REPUBLICAN News:

SANTA FE – This afternoon, the Senate Public Affairs Committee unanimously passed House Bill 15, known as the Data Breach Notification Act. The legislation is sponsored by Republican Rep. Bill Rehm of Bernalillo.

House Bill 15 would require businesses and other entities to implement reasonable procedures to protect the personal information of consumers. The bill would require that consumers be notified if it is suspected that their personal information may have been compromised by a data breach. Businesses and organizations must give notice to the Attorney General’s Read More

Heinrich Congratulates Two New Mexico Students On Acceptance To Prestigious US Senate Youth Program

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From left, James Michael Valerio of Taos, U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and  Irene Tenaya Fernald of Las Cruces. Courtesy photo

EDUCATION News: 

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) joined in honoring New Mexico students Irene Tenaya Fernald of Las Cruces and James Michael Valerio of Taos at a reception wednesday celebrating their acceptance into the prestigious United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP). 

“I congratulate Irene Tenaya Fernald and James Michael Valerio on their acceptance into the highly competitive and merit-based United Read More

Newly Elected Los Alamos School Board And UNM-LA Advisory Board Sworn In

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From left, newly elected UNM-LA Advisory Board members Sheila Schiferl, Michelle Hall and David Sutton with newly elected Los Alamos School Board members Ellen Ben-Naim and Stephen Boerigter. Los Alamos County Municipal Judge Alan Kirk administered the Oath of Office to the new members Monday at the Los Alamos Justice Center. They will take up their duties at the next meeting of their respective boards. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
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Luján Statement Following 27-hour Marathon Committee Debate On Healthcare Repeal Bill

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From the Office of U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Lujan:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — At 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, the House Energy & Commerce Committee began consideration and debate on Republican legislation to repeal the Affordable Care Act. After more than 27 hours of on-going debate, the Committee approved the bill on a straight party line basis.

U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), a member of the committee who was present for all 27 hours of the committee hearing, issued the following statement:

“I am disappointed that this bill does not offer a solution to any of the healthcare problems real Americans face. This bill Read More

Environmental Justice Moral Monday At State Capitol

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STATE News:

  • New Mexicans impacted by environmental injustice in their communities bring their voices to the State Capitol

 

SANTA FE — About 50 community leaders impacted by environmental justice issues in New Mexico will be connecting with their decision makers in the State Capitol on Monday, March 13 as part of Environmental Justice (EJ) Moral Monday. The citizens’ advocacy  day is intended to highlight various EJ issues impacting our air, land, water and health.


Environmental justice communities and organizations from across New Mexico will be participating at the Read More

House Unanimously Passes Bipartisan Tax Bill

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STATE News:

SANTA FE – The House unanimously passed bipartisan tax legislation that includes a number of top priorities for hardworking New Mexico families.

Rep. Carl Trujillo (D-Santa Fe) introduced a floor substitute for House Bill 412, sponsored by Rep. Jason Harper (R-Rio Rancho), and the substitute was unanimously adopted.

The new bill simplifies the tax code to improve the economic footing for the state while keeping more money in the pockets of hardworking New Mexico families. The Democratic substitute removed the food tax that would have had a negative Read More

Gov. Signs Two Bills Expanding Broadband Access

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New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez

SENATE DEMOCRATS News:

 

SANTA FE – Today, Gov. Susana Martinez signed two bills to encourage business development by expanding broadband access to underserved communities across New Mexico.

House Bill 60 by Rep. Carl Trujillo and Sen. Jacob Candelaria will spur broadband development across the state and significantly reduce the costs of new broadband network construction through partnerships between local governments and broadband providers.

“This legislation will have an immense impact towards the goal of ensuring every New Mexican family and Read More

Senate Passes Bill To Increase Funding For Classrooms By Increasing State’s Cigarette Tax

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STATE News:

  • Cigarette Tax Prevents Looming Cuts of 5-7 Percent to Public Schools

 

SANTA FE – The New Mexico Senate today passed legislation by a vote of 24 to 16 to provide public schools a needed funding increase of $89 million per year by increasing the state’s cigarette tax by $1.50. 

SB 231, sponsored by Sen. Howie Morales of Silver City, would direct the new revenues to strengthen New Mexico’s K-12 classrooms, which have been hit with cuts worth tens of millions of dollars. The new revenues are needed to prevent looming cuts of 5 percent to 7 percent across the board to K-12 classrooms Read More

Udall To Question FCC Chairman And DOI Secretary On Policy Priorities

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U.S. SENATE News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today at 8 a.m. MT / 10 a.m. ET, U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, will attend the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation hearing to ask Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai about FCC policy priorities during the Trump administration.
 
Then at 12:15 p.m. MT / 2:15 pm ET, Udall, vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, will question Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke on the Trump administration’s Indian Country priorities and emphasize the importance of a strong government-to-government
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