Politics

Right-To-Work Compromise Legislation Passes Judiciary Committee, Heads To House Floor

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Rep. Nate Gentry

STATE News:

SANTA FE — In order to come up with a fair compromise to promote commonsense, job-creating legislation, the right-to-work bill was amended Friday to increase the minimum wage to $8 per hour. 

The compromise legislation cleared the House Judiciary Committee by a 7-6 vote and will now head to the House floor. Raising the minimum wage to $8 per hour will make New Mexico’s minimum wage the third highest in the region.

“We think it’s important to put politics aside in order to avoid Washington-style gridlock,” said Rep. Nate Gentry, R-Bernalillo, who introduced Read More

Los Alamos School Board Members Study 2015 Legislative Agenda With Rep. Garcia Richard

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From left, Los Alamos School Board member Nan Holmes, Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard School Board President Judy Bjarke-McKenzie and newly elected member Jenny McCumber discussed legislative agenda Friday at the Roundhouse. Courtesy photo

LAPS News:

Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard met Friday with Los Alamos School Board members Nan Holmes, Judy Bjarke-McKenzie and newly elected member Jenny McCumber to review the legislative agenda.

The Los Alamos women conversed on a number of legislative bills including HB 41 (better known as 3rd Grade Promotion), SB 91 (Teacher Licensure) and HB 144 Read More

Luján Introduces RECA Legislation To Expand Compensation For Those Exposed To Radiation

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U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján

U.S. CONGRESSIONAL News:

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico’s Third District introduced legislation in the House of Representatives today that expands compensation for those exposed to radiation while working in uranium mines or living downwind from atomic weapons tests. 

Companion legislation has been introduced in the Senate by a bipartisan coalition of Senators, including New Mexico Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich.

Among the provisions in the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) Amendments of 2015 are much needed changes Read More

House Passes Bill With Bi-Partisan Vote To Repeal Law Allowing Illegal Immigrants To Obtain Driver’s Licenses

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STATE News:

SANTA FE — The House voted to repeal a law Thursday that allows illegal immigrants to receive a New Mexico driver’s license. The vote was a bi-partisan 39-29.

The bill, sponsored by Reps. Paul Pacheco and Andy Nunez, has support from every member of the House Republican caucus, and previously received bipartisan support in the House.

“A vast majority of New Mexicans want this dangerous law off the books,” Pacheco said. “I am glad that we were able to pass this legislation and hope that the Senate will vote on this issue soon.”

Since the policy was put into place, illegal immigrants Read More

ACI, Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard Introduce Legislation For New Mexico Business

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Dr. Beverlee McClure

STATE News:

The New Mexico Association of Commerce and Industry (ACI) partnered with Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard, D-43, to introduce HB 130, a bill to strengthen the procurement process in New Mexico and modernize the state’s definition of small business.

ACI President and CEO Dr. Beverlee McClure praised Garcia Richard for working closely with ACI and ACI member businesses to develop this legislation. 

“Rep. Garcia Richard’s bill takes much-needed steps to strengthen our state’s procurement process,” McClure said. “A better, more accountable procurement

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ACI, Sen. Rue And Rep. Garcia Richard Introduce Transparency Bill

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Sen. Sander Rue

STATE News:

SANTA FE – The New Mexico Association of Commerce and Industry (ACI), New Mexico’s statewide chamber of commerce and pro-business advocacy group, applauded New Mexico Sen. Sander Rue, R-23, and Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard, D-43, for introducing a bipartisan proposal to enhance the state Sunshine Portal by requiring that additional information on state contracts be available publicly through the portal.

“Countless New Mexico businesses have approached ACI about strengthening the process by which the state handles procurement and contracts,” ACI President/CEO Read More

Governor Declares YMCA Day In New Mexico

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Espanola Y Teen Center representative Christian Cordova meets Lt. Gov. John Sanchez Thursday at the State Capitol. Courtesy/YMCA
 
YMCA representatives gather Thursday at the State Capitol to celebrate Y Day in New Mexico. Front row from left, YMCA of the USA Resource Director of Public Policy Judy Barrett Miller; YMCA of Central NM Board Chair Rob Maruca; YMCA Board Member David Foster; CEO Linda Daly of The Family YMCA. Back row, YMCA Board Member Dr. Warren Wilhelm; Los Alamos Board Chair Christine Sierk; YMCA CEO Zizi Fritz and Y-USA Government Relations and Policy Director Neil Denton.
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Mandatory Flunking Bill Clears House Floor

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Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard

SANTA FE – House Bill 41, the controversial mandatory flunking bill passed the House Floor by a vote of 38-30.

Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard, D-Los Alamos: “This particular piece of legislation is problematic for many reasons. Mandatory flunking is a sweeping measure that does not account for the individual circumstances of each student when they are faced with retention. As an educator, I prefer to work with parents and students individually when faced with this decision, and as a parent I believe it is a decision that is best made between parents and teachers Read More

Letter to the Editor: Domenici Says Right-To-Work Bill Good For New Mexico

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By PETE DOMENICI
Retired U.S. Senator, R-N.M.

I am writing in response to those who oppose the proposed right to work legislation. While I respect those who oppose, they are flat out wrong on this issue. 

The truth is, passing right-to-work legislation would be good for New Mexico’s workers and our economy. But unfortunately, some politicians are trying to turn this into a partisan battle even though a majority of Americans support it.

It’s not hard to see why.

At the heart of this issue is the freedom of choice. In New Mexico, our workers can be forced to join a union or financially contribute

Read More

YDI Receives $1.5 Million For Early Head Start

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Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham

CONGRESSIONAL News:

Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham, D-N.M., has announced that Youth Development, Inc. was selected to receive $1.5 million in early childhood education funding that will provide opportunities for 80 young children to attend Early Head Start.

YDI earned the Early Head Start Expansion and Child Care Partnership grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The money will be used to train child care staff in the principles of Early Head Start services. The money also will pay for 80 slots to serve infants and toddlers ages six weeks to three Read More