Politics

NMDP News:

SANTA FE — The House of Representatives passed two important public safety bills with strong bipartisan support.

Senate Bill 3 makes it easier to proactively intervene and direct someone into treatment if they are suffering from severe mental illness and pose a high risk of harming themselves or others. The bill passed by a vote of 58-10.

Under current statute, it can be difficult to direct individuals who may be a danger to themselves or others into treatment, unless they have already caused serious bodily injury to themselves or others, or have experienced repeated hospitalizations Read More

Father Lucas Grubbs, executive director of the New Mexico Conference of Churches, center, speaks during a news conference where faith leaders pushed for passage of Senate Bill 17. The bill would ban certain dangerous weapons and put a variety of new regulations on gun sellers, including a minimum age and background checks for workers. Photo by Gabriela Campos/The New Mexican

Santa Fe New Mexican Staff Report

Senate shenanigans: As the clock winds down at the state Capitol, expect Republicans to try to drag things out to prevent pieces of legislation they oppose from passing.

Case in point: Read More

By Daniel J. Chacón
The Santa Fe New Mexican

As New Mexico lawmakers work on a plan to bail out three counties bracing for financial hardship under a new law that will force them to end their immigration detention contracts, the Trump administration could be considering litigation.

“They are evaluating their options,” state Sen. Jim Townsend, R-Artesia, said Monday in response to a request for an update on a letter he had sent to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi last month requesting her agency’s “attention and intervention” on House Bill 9.

“They believe Read More

By Lily Alexander
The Santa Fe New Mexican

The House Education Committee has approved a slimmed-down version of a measure that would overhaul distance-learning regulations in New Mexico, removing provisions many in the virtual school community argued would eliminate such options in small districts.

An earlier version of House Bill 253 would have restricted the number of a district’s students who could enroll in virtual programs and would have prohibited districts from enrolling distance-learning students from outside their boundaries. 

The committee voted 8-4 along party lines Read More

STATE News:

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Senate approved Senate Bill 48 on Feb. 6, which would authorize $92 million in bonds for the State Fairgrounds project and advance the next phase of redevelopment in Albuquerque’s International District. 

The legislation, sponsored by Senate President Pro Tempore Mimi Stewart and Representative Janelle Anyanonu, now moves to the House of Representatives. 

“Today’s Senate vote moves us one step closer to a historic revitalization of the International District and central Albuquerque,” Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said. “This bonding authority Read More

Rep. Vasquez with Angelica Calderon, Executive Director of La Piñon Sexual Assault Recovery Services in Las Cruces. Photo courtesy of the Office of Rep. Vasquez

STATE News:

LAS CRUCES — Feb. 6, U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) visited La Piñon Sexual Assault Recovery Services in Las Cruces, where he met with the Executive Director, program directors, and other staff. During the visit, La Piñon staff reported that the Administration’s actions and current political climate have eroded community trust, causing a 50% drop in local residents seeking their services — particularly in southern Doña Read More