Fernanda Rivas has her picture taken with Don Quioto, the New Mexico PBS mascot in the halls of the state Capitol Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. Photo by Michael G. Seamans/The New Mexican
Sen. Leo Jaramillo, D-Española, holds a University of New Mexico Lobos cheerleading horn on the floor of the Senate at the state Capitol Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. Wednesday was University of New Mexico Day. Photo by Michael G. Seamans/The New Mexican
The Santa Fe New Mexican:
Resolutions changing legislative schedules, processes get green light: Two bills that would shake up New Mexico’s legislative process on Wednesday earned early approval from the House Government, Elections and Indian Affairs Committee.
House Joint Resolution 1 would change the Legislature’s annual sessions to 45 days, instead of alternating between 60-day and 30-day sessions, while House Joint Resolution 2 would eliminate pocket vetoes — a de-facto veto that happens when the governor doesn’t act on a particular bill — and require explanations for each veto.
“Both of these proposed constitutional amendments are intended to strengthen the Legislature, and I think that’s really important,” said Rep. Matthew McQueen, D-Galisteo, who sponsored both. “I sincerely believe that part of the reason New Mexico struggles in a lot of areas is because the Legislature is not as engaged as it should be.”
Steinborn, Small propose new state park: Two Las Cruces Democrats are proposing a bill to create the Slot Canyon Riverlands State Park along the Rio Grande in Doña Ana County.
This would be New Mexico’s 36th state park, according to a news release from House and Senate Democrats, encompassing 783 acres of land on the eastern flank of the Sierra De Las Uvas Mountains owned by the New Mexico State Parks Division. It would include “camping, miles of trails, diverse wildlife viewing, river recreation access, and outdoor education” and connect to the planned New Mexico Rio Grande Trail, the release states.
The measure is being sponsored by Rep. Nathan Small and Sen. Jeff Steinborn. The lawmakers and others involved in tourism and outdoor recreation in Southern New Mexico touted its benefits in a news release.
“I’m proud to be part of this important project that will create new opportunities for New Mexicans to enjoy the lands and wildlife that make our state and our community such a special place to live,” Small said in a statement.
“This park isn’t just about protecting nature — it’s about creating a space where our community and visitors can connect with the beauty that makes our state so special,” Steinborn said. “Plus, as a key stop along the Rio Grande Trail, it’s sure to become a must-visit destination for outdoor lovers across New Mexico.”
Cellphones in schools limits advance on bipartisan vote: A bill to encourage New Mexico schools to become cellphone-free zones advanced out of the Senate Education Committee on a 7-2 vote Wednesday.
Senate Bill 11, sponsored by Sen. Crystal Brantley, R-Elephant Butte, would give the Public Education Department $10 million to encourage and reimburse school districts to adopt technology to physically limit students’ access to cellphones in school, such as pouches which secure phones with a magnetic lock.
“The average teen spending over five hours a day distracted by cellphones,” Brantley said. “The evidence seems clear that they have a significant impact, not just on proficiency rates in the classroom but teen mental health.”
Sens. Bill Soules, D-Las Cruces, and Harold Pope, D-Albuquerque, voted against advancing the bill. Soules said it “is not well-written legislation,” taking issue with the words “encourage” and “reimburse.”
“ We’re passing a law. Your words matter,” Soules said. “How do you comply with ‘encourage?’ That’s my concern.”
Soules also took issue with the bill’s lack of spending parameters for the anti-distraction technology.
“ It doesn’t say that [districts] can’t get gilded lock boxes,” he said. “You know, ones that cost $400 to $500. What is the maximum a district can spend? It doesn’t say. It says they’ll get reimbursed. That’s pretty open-ended.”
“We trust in our Public Education Department to correspond with our individual school districts as to how they would be reimbursed into to assist with the processes,” Brantley replied.
The bill now heads to the Senate Finance Committee.
Quote of the day: “This last year we got a chance to go to Boston together. I thought we needed a night out, so I bought Greg a ticket … to go see Carlos Santana, and I’ve got to tell you, this guy’s out of place at a Carlos Santana concert. Terribly out of place. Greg [was] the only white guy there.” — Sen. Joe Cervantes, D-Las Cruces, during former Sen. Greg Nibert’s confirmation hearing for a seat on the Public Regulation Commission.