Politics

Heinrich Urges U.S. To Fund DHS, Support DREAMers

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U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C.– U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., delivered a speech on the Senate floor this week urging Senate Republicans to pass a clean appropriations bill to fund the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

The House-passed DHS funding bill includes a number of anti-immigrant provisions, including deporting DREAMers. Funding for DHS is set to expire Feb. 27.

“With threats emerging everyday both at home and abroad, casting doubt on future funding for the Department of Homeland Security is a terrible idea,” Heinrich Read More

Senators Sponsor Bills To Protect Young Athletes From Brain Injuries

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Sen. Bill Soules

STATE News:

SANTA FE – Sen. Bill Soules, D-Dona Ana and Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez, D-Bernalillo & Valencia, recently introduced bills to protect young athletes who suffer concussions and brain injuries. Both bills would strengthen existing measures to protect young athletes by ensuring parents and coaches take the proper safety precautions for their children.

Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez

Soules’ bill would require brain injury training for student athletes. It also mandates that schools provide brain injury information, to be signed by Read More

New Mexico House In Bipartisan Vote Passes Bill To End Failed Policy Of Social Promotion

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Rep. Monica Youngblood

STATE News:

  • Republicans Highlight President Bill Clinton’s Call To End Social Promotion

SANTA FE—Legislation that would end the failed policy of social promotion cleared the House floor today by a bipartisan vote of 38-30.

Social promotion passes kids onto the next grade even when they cannot read. On the House floor, Rep. Monica Youngblood, R-Bernalillo, pointed out that Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama both favor ending social promotion.

“Improving our schools and helping struggling students learn continues to be one of our top priorities,” Read More

Congressional Delegation: Right-to-Work Legislation Has Consequences For New Mexico Working Families

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CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION News: 

U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich and U.S. Representatives Ben Ray Luján and Michelle Lujan Grisham issued the following against right-to-work legislation in the legislature:

As the national economy shows signs of real improvement, New Mexico’s recovery has been challenging and slow. Working families want to know when we will see more jobs, higher salaries and access to quality education at every level. The state legislature has an opportunity to put New Mexico in a position to provide that economic security and rebuild the Read More

Legislation Filed To Protect Working Women

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Rep. Terry McMillan

STATE News:

SANTA FE – Rep. Terry McMillan, R-Doña Ana County announced today that he has filed legislation that will protect pregnant women in the workplace and ensure that New Mexico meets federal guidelines. The legislation makes employers provide reasonable accommodations for pregnant workers, such as more flexibility with their schedules, shorter hours or leave time.

“We can do a better job protecting pregnant women in the workplace,” McMillan said. “This bill is commonsense and will bring us in line with federal standards.”

The legislation mirrors language Read More

Legislation To Expand State’s Voyeurism Law Clears Safety And Civil Affairs Committee Vote

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Rep. Sharon Clahchischilliage

STATE News:

  • Bi-partisan Vote Passes Committee – Bill Heads To House Floor

SANTA FE – Legislation that would crack down on sexual predators attempting to secretly view or record a person’s intimate areas has passed the House Safety And Civil Affairs Committee with a bi-partisan vote.

The legislation sponsored by Rep. Sharon Clahchischilliage, R-San Juan County, is headed to the House floor for a vote. Current law fails to bring justice to predators who, despite their best effort to view or record the victim, fail to do so.

“We have the right to our privacy Read More

USDA Announces Funding For Renewable Energy Projects

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Geothermal heating and cooling equipment being installed by the Central Valley Electric Cooperative in Artesia. The equipment was partially paid for by the REAP program. Courtesy/USDA

USDA News:

  • REAP Program Reduces Energy Costs for 47 Ag Producers and Small Rural Businesses in NM Since 2009

 WASHINGTON, D.C. – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced that rural agricultural producers and small business owners can now apply for resources to purchase and install renewable energy systems or make energy efficiency improvements.

These efforts help farmers, ranchers and other Read More

Sierra Club Hosts Citizen Lobby Training Wednesday

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SCRGC

Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter (SCRGC) will offer lobbying trainings 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Wednesday during its Lands, Water and Wildlife Day at the Roundhouse in Santa Fe.  

Citizens who would like to learn how to make their voice heard at the New Mexico Legislature can join the free trainings at the Sierra Club table near the Rotunda and trainers will help them identify their own legislators and the best ways to find and speak to them at the Roundhouse.

For training times and other details, RSVP to Diane Reese at DianeAbqNM@gmail.com.

Lands, Water and Wildlife Lobby Day at the Read More

Governor Proclaims Feb. 11 ‘2-1-1 Day’

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STATE News:

Gov. Susana Martinez has officially proclaimed Feb. 11 as “2-1-1 Day” in recognition of the free, confidential, easy to use service that connects callers to essential services in their area.  

Self Help, Inc. operates the 2-1-1 information and referral line for Los Alamos as well as Taos, Mora, Santa Fe, Rio Arriba and San Miguel.

With approximately 1.5 million nonprofit organizations in the U.S. plus scores of government agencies, finding help can be confusing and intimidating. 2-1-1 centers are staffed by trained specialists who quickly assess the callers’ needs and refer Read More

New Mexico Corrections Department Receives Secretary Of State Award For Service Excellence

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NMCD Secretary Gregg Marcantel

NMCD News:

The New Mexico Corrections Department (NMCD) has been honored as the second agency in the United States to receive the service excellence award from the State Department and Secretary of State John Kerry.

The New York Police Department is the only other agency to receive the award.

Secretary of State John Kerry

Assistant Secretary of State William Brownfield presented the award to NMCD Secretary Gregg Marcantel at a ceremony Monday in Long Beach, Calif.

“This award praises NMCD for the work of our training academy to mentor and train fellow correctional Read More