New Mexico Delegation Announces $7M In Infrastructure Law Funding For Albuquerque International Sunport
Congressional News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.) and Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) have announced $7 million in federal funding from the Infrastructure Law that is heading to the Albuquerque International Sunport.
This funding will be used to rehabilitate seven existing passenger boarding bridges that have reached the end of their useful lives.
“The Infrastructure Law continues to invest in airports across the state. This federal funding supports Read More
Common Cause Supports Polling Place Safety Measures
Senate Bill 43 Sponsor Sen. Katy Duhigg
STATE News:
With intimidation, harassment and even violence against election officials, poll workers and candidates on the rise, Common Cause New Mexico is supporting two important measures this legislative session to protect public servants and the public when it comes to election-related violence and intimidation.
One, Senate Bill 43, sponsored by Sen. Katy Duhigg (D-Bernalillo), aims to protect election officials, including the secretary of state, county and municipal clerks and their employees, as well as voters from intimidation. Intimidation Read More
Op-Ed: Steps To Reduce Impact Of Climate Change On New Mexico’s Forests And Surrounding Communities
By LAURA MCCARTHY
New Mexico State Forester
For years, climate experts have been warning that our planet is undergoing changes that would make extreme weather events more common—and this past year, New Mexico saw those predictions come true. Extremely dry and windy weather in the spring and early summer created the perfect conditions for what proved to be the worst wildfire season in our state’s modern history. Then, a mere few weeks later, heavier than normal monsoon rains dropped nearly 20 inches of rain on parts of the state, flooding areas that had been scorched by the fires.
As our neighbors—many Read More
Gov. Lujan Grisham Announces Legislation Designed To Combat Funding Of Organized Crime In New Mexico
From the Office of the Governor:
SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced today the introduction of legislation designed to combat the funding of organized crime through retail theft and support the prosecution of organized retail crime.
Sponsored by Rep. Marian Matthews, House Bill 234 will target offenders funding organized crime through retail theft, including by creating the crime of organized retail crime in state statute and allowing for the aggregation of multiple retail theft crimes over a period of time in order to target repeat offenders.
The bill was introduced following Read More
House Bill 8: Unleashing Opportunity From The Heart And Soul Of New Mexico
House Bill 8 supporters from across New Mexico gathered Thursday with House Majority Whip Reena Szczepanski and Sen. Jeff Steinborn in the Rotunda at the Roundhouse. Courtesy/NMHD
New Mexico House Democrats News:
SANTA FE — Artists, creatives, craftspeople and entrepreneurs from across New Mexico Thursday joined House Majority Whip Reena Szczepanski (D-Santa Fe) and Sen. Jeff Steinborn (D-Doña Ana) in support of House Bill 8, legislation just introduced to establish a Division of Creative Industries within the State Economic Development Department to support the growth of economic Read More
Tales Of Our Times: Founders Saw Party Politics As Trouble For The Nation
Tales of our Times
By JOHN BARTLIT
New Mexico Citizens
for Clean Air & Water
Last month, “Tales Of Our Times” wrapped up the year by citing the lowlights of political parties’ campaign habits and their effects on the nation and Congress. I assessed no public policies. Rather, I noted the party powers that fester in the dark. Autocracy hides in the rules of Congress conceived jointly by the two rivaling parties. Review here.
Then I quoted the nation’s founders, who saw and feared these dark instincts. As promised, this month we can read deeper warnings from the founders that matched their depth Read More
Activists, Political Scientists Say Protest Still A Powerful Tool
Members of Communications Workers of America labor union and other posters gather outside the Roundhouse on Jan. 17 to show support for teleworking and workers’ rights. Javier Gallegos/The New Mexican
Captain Anthony Tapia and Darlene Pashlakai take a selfie together in the Rotunda of the Roundhouse following a Mothers Against Drunk Driving awareness event on Jan. 27. Peshlakai’s daughters, Del Lynn and De Shauna Peshlakai, died in a drunk driving collision in March 2010. Javier Gallegos/The New Mexican
By ROBERT NOTT
The Santa Fe New Mexican
Some in the crowd were fighting back tears as Read More
Senators Luján, Daines, Smith Seek Information From Insurance Companies On ‘Ghost Networks’ Impacting Access To Mental Health Care
U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) led a bipartisan letter to United Healthcare, Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Humana regarding “ghost networks” that present a challenge to patients in search of in-network providers.
According to a March 2022 GAO report, challenges include inaccurate or out-of-date information on provider networks. Ghost networks occur when providers are on an insurer’s website as being in-network but are either no longer in-network, not accepting Read More
As New Mexico Water Trust Fund Dries Up, Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth Champions Bill To Infuse It With $250M
Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth, D-Santa Fe, exits the Senate floor Thursday. Wirth is sponsoring a bill to appropriate $250 million from the general fund to the Water Trust Fund. Photo by Luis Sánchez Saturno/The New Mexican
By DANIEL J. CHACON
The Santa Fe New Mexican
A state fund that has helped finance dozens of water infrastructure projects around New Mexico since it was created nearly two decades ago is drying up.
The State Investment Council has been sounding the alarm for years, warning the so-called Water Trust Fund, which it manages, could be depleted within 15 years without an additional Read More
Senators Jeff Steinborn And Mark Moores Introduce Bi-Partisan Bill Requiring Full Disclosure Of Lobbying Activity
Sen. Jeff Steinborn
U.S. SENATE News:
SANTA FE — Senators Jeff Steinborn (D) and Mark Moores (R) have introduced bi-partisan legislation requiring lobbyists to report all their lobbying activity on all legislation they work on or advocate for or against.
Senate Bill 218 would, for the first time, reveal the full range of companies and interest groups involved in trying to shape or stop legislation.
“One of the great mysteries in the legislative process is trying to figure out who is behind each piece of legislation and their motivation,” Sen. Steinborn said. “Not having this information hinders Read More
American Federation Of Teachers NM Commends PED Secretary Dr. Kurt Steinhaus For Lifetime Of Service To New Mexico Public Education
Dr. Kurt Steinhaus
AFT NM News:
ALBUQUERQUE – American Federation of Teachers New Mexico (AFT NM) President Whitney Holland issued the following statement to mark the retirement of Dr. Kurt Steinhaus, New Mexico Public Education Department Secretary:
“Today’s news of the retirement of Dr. Kurt Steinhaus will leave an enormous gap in the work and vision of the New Mexico Public Education Department.
“I had the pleasure of working with Dr. Steinhaus as a local union leader in Los Alamos. Our professional relationship extended beyond service to the students and families of Los Alamos Public Read More
House Panel Discusses Big Changes To Game And Fish Department Management In New Mexico
The Roundhouse in Santa Fe. Post file photo
By NATHAN BROWN
The Santa Fe New Mexican
Two bills to make big changes to wildlife management in New Mexico got their first hearing in a House committee Saturday.
House Bill 183, which would abolish the Game and Fish Department and turn it into a division within the Energy, Mineral and Natural Resources Department, stalled on a 5-5 vote, with one Democrat joining the Republicans to oppose it. However, House Bill 184, which would change the way seats are allocated on the State Game Commission by getting rid of the current system of districts and creating Read More
Arnold Tool Pre-Trial Risk-Assessment: Crutch Or Crystal Ball?
By PHAEDRA HAYWOOD
The Santa Fe New Mexican
The New Mexico Legislature’s debate over crime is beginning to take form, centering on two key issues:
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- Whether suspects accused of serious offenses should be detained in jail as a matter of course; and
- Whether a risk assessment process known as the Arnold Tool is a threat to public safety.
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The chief justice of the state Supreme Court and the administrative head of the court system have defended the system as it stands.
But several bills in the Legislature, perhaps influenced by criticism by law enforcement and the public’s weariness of crime’s severity Read More
Historic Preservation Advisory Board To Meet Feb. 1
County Board Of Public Utilities Holds Work Session Feb. 1
COUNTY News:
The Los Alamos County Board of Public Utilities (BPU) will hold a work session at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 1 in Council Chambers and virtually on Zoom.
This meeting is open to the public.
Find the agenda to this meeting here: Feb. 1, 2023 BPU Agenda.
2023 New Mexico Black Business Summit Feb. 7-8
New Mexico Economic Development Departments JEDI Office News:
2023 New Mexico Black Business Summit
The African American Greater Albuquerque Chamber, CABQ Office of Black Community Engagement, Minority Business Development Agency, New Mexico Economic Development Department’s JEDI Office, New Mexico Small Business Administration, and more are coming together to host a black business summit in honor of black history month for business owners and entrepreneurs across the state at the Albuquerque Convention Center and online on Feb 7-8.
The summit will include business sessions on Read More
Alzheimer’s Advocacy At New Mexico Roundhouse Feb. 6
Alzheimer’s News:
ALBUQUERQUE — The Alzheimer’s Association, New Mexico Chapter has announced details of its Alzheimer’s Advocacy Event during the 60-day legislative session underway at the State Capitol.
This event will provide a valuable opportunity for all who are, or have been, affected by the disease to discuss, advocate and increase awareness of Alzheimer’s disease with state legislators.
“We are looking forward to engaging our legislators on all proposed policy and reforms that would help ease the heavy burden too many New Mexico families are struggling with daily because of Alzheimer’s Read More
Felons Want Voting Rights Restored
Matthew Pettit lifts weights Friday at the gym at the Endorphin Power Company, a transitional housing community in Albuquerque for those homeless as a result of substance abuse. Gabriela Campos/Santa Fe New Mexican
Adam Griego performs diagnostics on a vehicle Thursday at Great Little Cars. Griego, a 50-year-old Santa Fean, is unable to vote after serving two years on a drug charge. Luis Sánchez Saturno/Santa Fe New Mexican
Adam Griego speaks with Justin Allen on Tuesday during a press conference at the Capitol to announce legislation to restore voting rights for felons. Luis Sánchez Read More
Governor Announces Retirement Of Secretary Dr. Kurt Steinhaus Following ‘Distinguished Career In New Mexico Public Education’
Secretary Dr. Kurt Steinhaus
From the Office of the Governor:
SANTA FE – The Office of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham Saturday announced today the retirement of Public Education Department Secretary Dr. Kurt Steinhaus after a lengthy and distinguished career in New Mexico public education.
“I am deeply grateful to Secretary Steinhaus for his lifelong and tireless service in pursuit of improving educational outcomes for every New Mexico student,” Gov. Lujan Grisham said. “As a seasoned educator, his relationships with districts around the state have enormously benefited the work of the Department. Read More
North Mesa Gymnasium Discussed At Jan. 26 Work Session
Interior rendering of the proposed North Mesa mixed-use gymnasium near LAMS. Screenshot/ladailypost.com
Exterior rendering of the proposed North Mesa mixed-use gymnasium near LAMS. Screenshot/ladailypost.com
From left, Acting Superintendent Jennifer Guy, Board President Antonio Jaurigue, Vice President Ellen Specter, Secretary Christine Bernstein and members Melanie Colgan and Sondra Wyman at a work session Thursday at Aspen Elementary School. Screenshot/ladailypost.com
By BONNIE J. GORDON
Los Alamos Daily Post
bjgordon@ladailypost.com
The main business discussed at Read More
