Politics

NM Delegation Applauds Creation of Río Grande del Norte Monument

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Río Grande del Norte. Courtesy photo
 
U.S. CONGRESSIONAL News:
 
WASHINGTON D.C. – Members of the New Mexico Congressional Delegation today applauded the decision by President Barack Obama to create a national monument to protect the Río Grande del Norte in Northern New Mexico.
 
The president will hold a National Monument Proclamations Signing Ceremony at the White House Monday.
 
The Bureau of Land Management, under the direction of the Department of the Interior, currently manages the 240,000 acres of land in Northern New Mexico.
 
The Río Grande del Norte monument
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Luján Urges House Leaders to Include IDEA Funding Provision in Continuing Resolution

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Rep. Ben Ray Luján

U.S. CONGRESSIONAL News:

  • Senate-Passed Provision Could Significantly Benefit New Mexico

WASHINGTON. D.C. – U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico’s Third District sent a letter to House Speaker John Boehner and House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi today urging them to support the inclusion of an import provision in the final continuing resolution (CR) that addresses IDEA funding.

Rep. Nancy Pelosi

The Senate-passed CR includes a provision that changes the penalty for states that fail to meet the maintenance of effort requirement for IDEA funding (Individuals Read More

Los Alamos County Clerk Says Same-Sex Marriage Not Yet Legal in New Mexico

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By GREG KENDALL
Los Alamos Daily Post

Santa Fe Mayor David Coss announced that he believes same-sex marriage is legal in New Mexico and is encouraging city and county clerks to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. 

Santa Fe City Attorney Geno Zamora and City Councilor Patti Bushee also voiced their support for gay marriage.

“Marriage law in New Mexico is gender-neutral and does not define marriage as between a man and a woman,” Zamora said. “New Mexico already recognizes valid marriages performed in other states between same-sex couples; it would violate our state’s Read More

2013 Legislative Session Recap

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STATE News:

Legislative Session Recap

SANTA FE – After 60 long days, the 2013 Legislative Session drew to a close Saturday, March 16.

Democratic lawmakers in the House of Representatives passed a majority of the agenda they laid out at the beginning of the 51st legislative session.

This success would not be possible without the help of House Republicans. Together, Representatives in the New Mexico House were able to put politics aside and work in a bipartisan manner to prioritize good policies for New Mexicans.

“I am proud of the hard work the House of Representatives has accomplished in the 2013 Read More

Fire Stations and Law Enforcement Sites To Become Safe Havens

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STATE News:

  • HB 374 waiting for Governor’s Signature

SANTA FE – Distraught parents who want to give up their unwanted infants now have another place where they can drop them off and keep them safe.

 

Legislation sponsored by Rep. Emily Kane (D-Bernalillo-15) expands Safe Haven sites to include fire stations and law enforcement locations such as police or sheriff’s departments.

 

House Bill 374a “Safe Haven for Infants Site Definition” is now awaiting the Governor’s signature after passing the Senate on Wednesday.

 

“It’s a very compassionate bill,” Kane said. “We wanted Read More

Luján Questions DOE Officials About Hanford Waste Going to New Mexico

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U.S. CONGRESSIONAL News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico’s Third District and a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee questioned officials from the Department of Energy Wednesday. https:////www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBY9C4ZHQR4&feature=youtu.be

He questioned the officials on their plans to move millions of gallons of highly radioactive waste from the Hanford site in Washington state to New Mexico for storage at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plan (WIPP.)

While the leaks at Hanford are an environmental disaster, moving this waste to Read More

House of Representatives Highlights March 15

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STATE News:

New Mexico House Highlights:

On the Floor in the House

House Bill 550 (“Raise Minimum Wage for Tipped Employees”), sponsored by Rep. Phillip Archuleta (D-Doña Ana-36), passed the House by a vote of 34-31. It increases the minimum wage for tipped employees (like waiters and waitresses) from $2.13 to $3.25 to ensure that tipped employees make a fair wage.

House Transportation & Public Works Committee Substitute for House Bill 672 with emergency clause (“Public Peace, Health, Safety & Welfare”), sponsored by Rep. Bobby Gonzales (D-Taos-42), passed the House by a vote of Read More

Kendall: Martinez vs. Garcia Richard – Gotcha Politics or SOP?

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Column by GREG KENDALL
Los Alamos

Did State House Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard break her promise to voters? She vowed to help repeal the Richardson era driver’s license law that allows undocumented immigrants to obtain New Mexico driver’s licenses.  

Gov. Susana Martinez and anonymous robo-callers would like you to believe that Garcia Richard broke her promise.

Martinez went live on Los Alamos radio station KRSN AM 1490 March 7 to make that claim directly to local voters. But it is not that simple.

House Bill 606, sponsored by Rep. Paul Pacheco (R-Bernalillo & Sandoval-23), Read More

Canine Cruelty Victim Melts Hearts at Roundhouse

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David Card and his dog Taffy attended Animal Protection Voters of New Mexico  Animal Lobby Day Feb 25 at the Roundhouse. Taffy was rescued after being abandoned and mistreated. Courtesy photo
 
By Robin Scoggins and Michelle Johnson

On Feb. 25, 2013 the Animal Protection Voters (APV) of New Mexico held Animal Lobby Day at the state capital.

APVNM is the first statewide animal advocacy organization in the country.

Canine guest, Taffy, was abandoned and found on the side of the road, scarred on his back, emaciated and blind. No one was ever held responsible for discarding him like trash.  Read More