Politics

House Passes Legislation To Crack Down On Truancy

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Sen. Craig Brandt

STATE News:

SANTA FE – The New Mexico House of Representatives passed legislation today intended to crack down on truancy and keep teenagers in the classroom by taking away their driver’s licenses if they  habitually ditch class.

If the bill becomes law, a student who misses 10 or more classes will lose their driver’s license or learner’s permit. HB 117, which is sponsored by Rep. Jimmie Hall, R-Bernalillo, and Sen. Craig Brandt, R-Sandoval passed the House floor by a 36-32 vote.

“It is so important that our kids stay in school,” Hall said. “If students keep skipping class, Read More

CIR Presents: China In Africa March 14

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Ambassador David Shinn
 
CIR News:
 
Santa Fe University of Art & Design presents lecture “China In Africa,” with Ambassador David Shinn.
 
Called “fragile,” “shackled” or the “dark” continent, Africa is far more complex and promising than our Eurocentric approach would have us believe.
 
Often treated as if it were merely one country, subjected to incompetent intervention of Western governments, torn by the battle between the tribal way of life and modernity, Africa is the continent from which human life
Read More

‘Right-To-Work’ Bills Defeated

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Sen. Jerry Ortiz y Pino

By NM Senate Democrats:

“… it is unacceptable that women are making 78 cents to the dollar for men who are doing the same work.” –Sen. Jerry Ortiz y Pino

SANTA FE – Anti-worker legislation Tuesday was defeated by a majority of members of the Senate Public Affairs Committee. Members said the so-called “right-to-work” bills would hurt working people and shrink New Mexico’s middle class.

Two bills, each entitled Employee Preference Act, failed to pass the committee by a vote of 5-3. The bills were pushed by Gov. Susana Martinez and corporate special interests including Read More

Internet Crimes Against Children Fund Bill Passes Senate Public Affairs Committee

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New Mexico Attorney General’s Office Special Agent Jay Ratfliff, left, testifies Tuesday night in support of SB 380 with Sen. Jacob Candelaria before the Senate Public Affairs Committee. Courtesy photo

New Mexico Attorney General’s Office Special Agent Jay Ratfliff, left, testifies Tuesday night in support of SB 380 before in the Senate Public Affairs Committee. Courtesy photo

STATE News:

  • SB 380 Will Help Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Protect New Mexico Kids

SANTA FE – Tonight, the Senate Public Affairs Committee passed SB 380. Previously, New Read More

Community Members Gather At This Morning’s ‘Coffee With Stephanie’ To Discuss Legislative Issues

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Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard, second from left, discusses legislative issues at this morning’s ‘Coffee with Stephanie’ community event at the Rosebud Cafe in White Rock. Courtesy photo

Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard, left, discusses legislative issues this morning with community members in White Rock. Courtesy photo

POLITICAL News:

Los Alamos’s State Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard held a town hall “Coffee with Stephanie” event this morning at the Rosebud Cafe in White Rock.

Garcia Richard briefed community members on the current legislative Read More

Remembering César Chávez March 28

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Renowned American civil rights leader César Estrada Chávez. Courtesy/NCLR

NHCC News:

The 22nd Annual César Chávez Day will begin at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 28, with a march departing from the the National Hispanic Cultural Center and returning to the Center  for a noon to 3 p.m. free family festival  at the NHCC’s Plaza Mayor.

Albuquerque’s Recuerda a César Chávez Committee (RCCC), the organizer of the event, was founded in 1993 following the death of renowned American civil rights leader César Estrada Chávez. Founder of the National Farmworkers Association and subsequently Read More

Senate Re-Confirms Secretary Gregg Marcantel

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Secretary Gregg Marcantel

STATE News:

Secretary Gregg Marcantel has been re-confirmed as the New Mexico Corrections Department Secretary by the New Mexico Senate.

“I am humbled and honored to continue to serve the people of New Mexico and under the leadership of the Governor,” Marcantel said.

Secretary Marcantel touted several accomplishments during the past three years, but specifically highlighted his handling of the early release issues that plagued the department in years past.

“We simply didn’t have a good system to check and make sure inmates were really supposed to be released when Read More

Rep. Garcia Richard Adds Clean Water Act Provision To Stream Bed Bill

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Rep. Garcia Richard

STATE News:

SANTA FE – The New Mexico House of Representatives met Saturday to consider House Bill 235, a bill that sought to clarify the jurisdiction of stream beds on private land.

Responding to concerns that the bill could leave unclear the determination of waterways and stream beds for purposes of the federal Clean Water Act (CWA), Rep. Garcia Richard, D-Los Alamos, Santa Fe, Sandoval and Rio Arriba, moved an amendment to ensure compliance between HB 235 and the federal CWA, which seeks to protect waterways from pollutants.

The amendment was adopted by a Read More

House Passes Legislation To Limit Lobbying By Government Officials

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Rep. Jim Dines

STATE News:

SANTA FE – The New Mexico House of Representatives passed legislation today that would bar state officials from becoming lobbyists immediately after leaving their government post.

The bill (HB 241), which passed by a 57-10 vote, would require elected officials and some government workers to wait two years after leaving their post to become a paid lobbyist.

“This bill will bring more integrity to government, and we owe that to the people,” said Rep. Jim Dines, R-Bernalillo, the bill’s sponsor. “I am glad my colleagues joined me in voting for this common-sense legislation.” Read More

Have Coffee With Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard At Rosebud Cafe 8-9 A.M. Tuesday

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Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard
 
POLITICAL News:
 
State Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard invites the community to meet her from 8-9 a.m., Tuesday at the Rosebud Cafe, 35 Rover, Suite G, in White Rock for “Coffee with Stephanie”.
 
Garcia Richard will talk about what’s happening in the legislative session and would like community members to share their thoughts about the issues with her.
Read More