Politics

NM Senate Passes Historic Compromise, Bipartisan REAL ID-Compliant Driver’s License Legislation

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NM SENATE DEMOCRATS News:

SANTA FE – The New Mexico Senate Saturday night unanimously approved House Bill 99, as amended, an historic, bipartisan compromise to bring the state’s driver’s licenses into compliance with federal REAL ID requirements.

The bill now advances to the House of Representatives for concurrence with the Senate’s amendments. The measure would make New Mexico driver’s licenses compliant with the federal REAL ID Act if it is approved by the House, and signed by the Governor.

“After six years of impasse, Republican Senate Leader Stuart Ingle and I worked collectively to Read More

Armstrong Pushes Bill To Strengthen Medicaid Fraud

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Rep. Deborah Armstrong
 
STATE News:
 
Rep. Deborah Armstrong’s bill to give the New Mexico Attorney General increased authority in investigating false Medicaid claims was heard in the House Health Committee Thursday, only a few days after Attorney General Hector Balderas cleared 10 more behavioral health providers accused of Medicaid fraud more than two years ago by the Martinez Administration.
 
“While HB 201 does not relate directly to the alleged Medicaid fraud within the state’s behavioral health system,” Armstrong said, “the disastrous disruption
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Fake Charities Make IRS ‘Dirty Dozen’ List

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IRS News:
 
PHOENIX ― The Internal Revenue Service today warned taxpayers about groups masquerading as charitable organizations to attract donations from unsuspecting contributors, one of the “Dirty Dozen” for the 2016 filing season.
 
“Fake charities set up by scam artists to steal your money or personal information are a recurring problem,” said IRS Commissioner John Koskinen. “Taxpayers should take the time to research organizations before giving their hard-earned money.”
 
Compiled annually, the “Dirty Dozen” lists a variety of common
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Udall Statement On Proposed FY 2017 Budget

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SENATE News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee and lead Democrat on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies, issued the following statement on President Obama’s Fiscal Year 2017 budget proposal, which was released Tuesday, Feb. 9.
 
“The president’s proposed budget is an important starting point, which Congress should consult as we begin the budget process and writing the appropriations bills that fund the government. As a member of the Appropriations
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American Federation of Teacher’s Statement From Tuesday’s Senate Majority Press Conference

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President Stephanie Ly
 
AFT News:
 
ALBUQUERQUE ― American Federation of Teachers New Mexico President Stephanie Ly released the following statement, delivered at the Senate Democratic Majority press conference: 

“From Albuquerque, to Carlsbad, to Gallup, to Taos, our members educate the children of New Mexico. Our members span from a child’s first classroom to the halls of higher education. We are teachers, educational assistants, bus drivers, maintenance, secretaries, food service workers, early educators, professors, and everything in

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VIDEO: Heinrich Questions Intelligence Officials On Strategy To Defeat ISIS

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U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich
 
SENATE News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― During a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing Tuesday, Feb. 9, on worldwide threats, U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) emphasized that Arab partners are integral in the fight to destroy ISIS. Heinrich also discussed the ongoing effort to dismantle ISIS’s financial resources.
 
The Committee received testimony from Director Of National Intelligence James R. Clapper, Jr. and Director Of The Defense Intelligence Agency, Lieutenant General Vincent R. Stewart, United
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House Unanimously Approves Bill To Protect Mothers And Children

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STATE News:

SANTA FE – Today, the House of Representatives unanimously approved a bill that would allow mothers to terminate the parental rights of a biological father when the pregnancy is the result of rape.

House Bill 50 is sponsored by Rep. Conrad James and passed on a unanimous 58 to 0 vote.

“This bill protects mothers and their children from suffering continued harm after a sexual assault,” James said. “It offers a measure of compassion by allowing survivors of rape to sever all ties with the person who assaulted them. I thank my colleagues in the House for joining me in support of this bill.” Read More

President’s 2017 Budget Proposal For DOE Supports Energy Innovation, National Security, Nuclear Management Responsibilities

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DOE News:
 
WASHINGTON D.C. ― President Barack Obama’s final budget proposal for the Department of Energy includes a significant increase in clean energy R&D needed to drive economic growth, ensure energy security and reduce greenhouse-gas emissions.
 
The President’s budget proposal includes continued investments in DOE’s core missions of scientific research, national and energy security, and cleaning up the environmental legacy of the Cold War.
 
Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz said the President’s fiscal year (FY) 2017 budget reaffirms President
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Senate Passes Memorial For USS Los Alamos!

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Following a year of spearheading the march to get a United States Naval submarine named the USS Los Alamos, James Nesmith, center, celebrates Thursday at the State Capitol with Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard, Sen. Richard Martinez and students from Los Alamos High School. The Senate passed Senate Memorial 15 with a 43-0 vote. Nesmith thanked the lawmakers and said that Garcia Richard  has been particularly gracious and enthusiastic in her support, adding that Sen. Carlos Cisneros also spoke passionately Thursday in support of SM 15. Garcia Richard introduced HM 3, which passed
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