Politics

Doctors Thank Rep. Christine Chandler For Leadership In Sponsoring, Championing HB 99 Medical Malpractice Reform

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By Robert McAtee, MD
Española

By Elena McAtee, MD
Los Alamos

We would like to express our gratitude to Representative Christine Chandler for her leadership in sponsoring and championing HB 99, a long-needed step toward meaningful medical malpractice reform in New Mexico.

Throughout this process, Representative Chandler listened carefully to her constituents, thoroughly researched this complex issue, and then worked diligently to advance thoughtful
solutions. Passing this legislation required navigating significant resistance and complex competing interests, making its success Read More

National History Day Showcase Featuring Local Students’ Projects Presented By Los Alamos Historical Society

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Historical Society News:

The Los Alamos Historical Society invites the community to a National History Day Showcase from 6:30-8 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 24 at Fuller Lodge.

Community members are invited to stop by, explore student projects, including exhibit displays, websites, and documentaries, and wish participants well before they advance to the regional competition in Santa Fe.

The 2026 theme for projects is Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History.

National History Day is a nationwide academic program for students in grades 6-12 that promotes in-depth historical research, critical Read More

Bill To Fund New Mexico Universal Child Care Moves Ahead With Significant Cuts

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By ESTEBAN CANDELARIA
The Santa Fe New Mexican

A bill to fund New Mexico’s lofty goal of extending free child care to all families appears to be on the fast track to the governor’s desk after the House amended and signed off on the bill.

The chamber passed Senate Bill 241 on a 37-19 vote Tuesday evening after the key House Appropriations and Finance Committee voted overnight to cut the amount the state could pull in coming years from the roughly $11 billion early child trust fund to $700 million from an originally proposed $1 billion. That move was lauded by supporters as a way of ensuring the permanent Read More

Legislative Roundup: 2 Days Left In Session

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John SwiftBird and a group of local drummers sing and drum for the Environmental justice rally at the Roundhouse on Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2025. The event was organized by New Mexico No False Solutions (NM NFS) in partnership with grassroots organizations statewide to call upon lawmakers to reject false climate solutions and advance policies that protect our communities, land, water, and public health. Photo by Gabriela Campos/The New Mexican

The Santa Fe New Mexican Staff Report:

Regents commission: New Mexico voters will decide in November whether to create a nominating committee to vet Read More

Sponsor: Bill Banning Sale Of ‘Extremely Dangerous’ Guns Is Dead — For Now

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By DANIEL J. CHACÓN AND CLARA BATES
The Santa Fe New Mexican

After being riddled with a slew of proposed amendments in a late-night committee hearing, the most contentious gun control bill of New Mexico’s 30-day session is all but dead.

One of the lead sponsors of Senate Bill 17, Sen. Debbie O’Malley, D-Albuquerque, said Tuesday the measure is unlikely to get another hearing after the House Judiciary Committee delayed a vote early Tuesday morning. 

“There’s not enough time to hear it again,” she said.

“Of course, it’s disappointing that we won’t hear that bill,” O’Malley added. “But we’re going Read More

Ringside Seat: Silver-Tongued Jesse And George Of The Mumble

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By MILAN SIMONICH
The Santa Fe New Mexican

As public speakers go, the late Jesse Louis Jackson was the best I ever heard. State Sen. George Muñoz might be the worst.

These two men from different worlds of politics intersected in the news this week.

Let’s start with Jackson. I once covered a crowd of 3,000 waiting outdoors on a cold, blustery day in Colorado to hear from him. It was 1988. Jackson was running late as he ran for president.

The audience shivered for 40 minutes without complaint. Secret Service agents assessed the scene and positioned themselves to protect the candidate. They referred Read More

New Mexico Healthcare Just Got Closer To Your Home: Telehealth Booths Bring The Doctor To A Library Near You

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STATE News:

SANTA FE – It’s no surprise that accessing healthcare in New Mexico’s sparsely populated and geographically isolated communities is difficult. There is a vast health and broadband “desert” in this state and New Mexico State Library, together with The University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, is working hard to solve this issue through telehealth booths at public libraries.

Designed to fit within a public library space, these 7 x 7 x 10-foot standalone booths are soundproof, private, ADA compliant, and equipped with a computer connected to high-speed internet. Community Read More

Los Alamos Federated Republican Women Seeks Entries From Students For 2026 U.S. Constitution Essay Contest

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LAFRW News:

The Los Alamos Federated Republican Women (LAFRW) is seeking entries from students for its 2026 U.S. Constitution Essay Contest.

Since 2015, local students have been winning cash for their essays. The U.S. Constitution Essay Contest is designed to challenge students to learn more about the U.S. Constitution and to express original, thoughtful ideas in essay writing. Essays are judged on how completely and clearly the ideas are stated and supported. Grammar, spelling and punctuation are also considered. The judging is blind.

Students in grades 4-12 who reside in or attend school Read More

Dannemann: The Quiet Influence Of Legislative Committee Chairs

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By MERILEE DANNEMANN
Triple Spaced Again

Some years ago, New Mexico’s Senate Judiciary Committee had the nickname Fernando’s Hideaway. The nickname came from a song called “Hernando’s Hideaway,” published in 1954, from a Broadway musical comedy called “The Pajama Game.” The song, with an enticing tango rhythm, is still a staple in the musical repertoire.

Hernando’s Hideaway was “a dark, secluded place, a place where no one knows your face.” The nickname Fernando’s Hideaway was based on committee chairman Senator Fernando Macias, Las Cruces Democrat. It was given because some bills assigned Read More