Politics

Udall Raises Concerns About Gila River Diversion, Pushes For Funding For New Mexico Water Projects

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SENATE News:
 
WASHINGTON D.C. ― U.S. Sen. Tom Udall raised concerns Wednesday about a potential Gila River diversion project and pushed for continued funding for several water projects important to New Mexico communities at a hearing of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development.
 
Udall has previously expressed skepticism over the high cost of a Gila River diversion project. He asked Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Estevan R. López for an update and assurances that any proposed project would get a thorough economic and environmental
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SBA: Federal Government Breaks Contracting Record For Women-Owned Small Businesses

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SBA News:
 
WASHINGTON D.C. ― Maria Contreras-Sweet, Administrator for the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and a member of President Obama’s Cabinet, was joined by Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor to the President, Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez (D-NY-07), Ranking Member of the House Small Business Committee, Representative Judy Chu (D-CA-27) and Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17) yesterday March 2, to announce that the federal government has surpassed its five percent contracting goal for Women-Owned Small Businesses (WOSB) for the
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Governor On Death Of Cabinet Secretary Retta Ward

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New Mexico DOH Cabinet Secretary Retta Ward

STATE News:

SANTA FE — The Santa Fe Sheriff’s Office reports that they dicovered the body of New Mexico Department of Health Cabinet Secretary Retta Ward at about 9:30 a.m. today in a car that swerved off the road, adding that she died from health issues not related to the car accident.

Gov. Susana Martinez released the following statement after learning of her passing:

 

“I am completely heartbroken to hear that Cabinet Secretary Retta Ward has passed away.

“She was an amazing public servant who enjoyed her job immensely and earned the respect Read More

2016 Legislative Session Wrap Up

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Dist. 43 Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard on the steps of the State Capitol on the final day of the 2016 Legislative Session. Courtesy photo
 
By STEPHANIE GARCIA RICHARD
Dist. 43 Democratic State Representative
Los Alamos, Rio Arriba, Sandoval, and Santa Fe

With the 2016 Legislative Session behind us, I wanted to take this opportunity to share with you some of the highlights. 

The two main agenda items on this session’s calendar were a balanced budget and a fix for our Real ID law. I’m pleased to say that both passed with broad bipartisan support. 

With New Mexico facing significant Read More

Heinrich Statement On Adding Gold King Mine Spill Site To Superfund National Priorities List

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SENATE News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., a member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, issued the following statement in support of adding the site of the Gold King Mine spill that polluted the Four Corners region last summer to the Superfund National Priorities List.
 
Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper formally endorsed a Superfund cleanup for 48 abandon mining sites, including the Gold King Mine.

“I fully support the local communities and Gov. Hickenlooper in their effort to add these mine

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New Mexico GOP Statement On Super Tuesday

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RPNM News:
 
ALBUQUERQUE ― The Republican Party of New Mexico has released the following statement on Super Tuesday:

“The Republican race remains as exciting as ever, with our voters still divided between the three top contenders. Whichever candidate wins in the end, it’s important that Republican voters unify behind that nominee,” said Republican Party of New Mexico spokesman Tucker Keene. “Voter turnout for the Republican primary continues to break records, and if we’re going to defeat Hillary Clinton and the Democrats

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State Auditor Issues Best Practices For Capital Projects

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State Auditor Tim Keller

STATE News:

  • Every dollar tied up in red tape is a dollar not circulating in New Mexico’s economy

SANTA FE – The Office of the State Auditor (OSA) has issued best practices regarding New Mexico’s system of funding capital projects.

The Fund Balance Report, released earlier this year, found that New Mexico’s capital project funds are the most vulnerable to unnecessary accumulation. The report identified $1.2 billion in unspent capital project funds throughout state agencies in the last fiscal year alone. The OSA developed and released the best practices to help guide Read More

Gov. Signs Bill To Teach Students Emergency Training

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STATE News:

SANTA FE — Gov. Susana Martinez has signed legislation that adds emergency lifesaving training into the curriculum for New Mexico students.

Senate Bill 1, sponsored by Sen. Michael Sanchez, D-Belen, and House Bill 104, sponsored by Rep. Terry McMillan, R-Las Cruces, makes it so that New Mexico students – first through 12th grade – learn emergency lifesaving training.

Martinez also acted on the following legislation:

  • Signed Senate Bill 105 — Expedited Professional Licensure [MESSAGE]
  • Signed Senate Bill 234 — Health Provider Credentialing by Insurers [MESSAGE]
  • Signed Senate
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Udall, Heinrich Urge IRS To Expand Office Hours, Make Tax Assistance Available To Rural New Mexicans

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SENATE News:
 
WASHINGTON D.C. ― Today, U.S. Sens. Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich sent a letter to the commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to express concerns about reduced office hours and cuts to services, particularly for rural and elderly New Mexicans.
 
The letter follows numerous complaints from residents of Fort Sumner, Santa Fe, and Albuquerque, including reports that the Albuquerque IRS field office is closing as early as 10 a.m. and turning away taxpayers who may have traveled hundreds of miles
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Udall, Heinrich Fight To Extend Overtime Pay To Thousands Of New Mexico Workers

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SENATE News:
 
WASHINGTON D.C. ― Today, U.S. Sens. Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) urged the U.S. Department of Labor to promptly extend overtime pay to millions of Americans who work long hours without fair pay.
 
Last year, the agency proposed an expansion of overtime pay protections that could benefit 5 million Americans, including 20,000 New Mexicans. The proposal would ensure overtime pay for salaried workers earning up to approximately $50,440 per year. Currently, only workers earning $23,660 or less
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