SFNM News:Days left in session: 42
Free Sundays: The new secretary of the Department of Cultural Affairs says her staff is revisiting the previous administration’s decision to curtail free admission to the state’s museums.
“I do believe the citizens of New Mexico should have free access to their cultural institutions on a more regular basis,” Debra Garcia y Griego told the Senate Rules Committee on Friday.
State-run museums such as the New Mexico Museum of Art and the Palace of the Governors used to offer free admission to New Mexico residents each Sunday. The department rolled that back to only the first Sunday of each month under Gov. Susana Martinez, who left office in December.
Garcia y Griego told lawmakers during her confirmation hearing that her department is re-examining the financial benefits of the move, which rankled museumgoers.
The Senate confirmed Garcia y Griego without any dissent. She will lead the department that manages state museums, historic sites, the New Mexico State Library and the Office of Archaeological Studies
A native New Mexican, Garcia y Griego most recently worked as executive director of the city of Santa Fe’s Arts Commission. She previously worked at the Museum Campus Chicago, Chicago a cappella, the Southwest Theater and Dance Festival, and the University of New Mexico Department of Theater and Dance. She sits on the board of Americans for the Arts.
General services secretary confirmed: The Senate also confirmed Ken Ortiz Friday as secretary of the General Services Department.
A veteran of state government with a reputation as a sort of Mr. Fix It for the gears of New Mexico’s bureaucracy, Ortiz has worked in both Republican and Democratic administrations.
He was a popular pick on both sides of the aisle.
“You are synonymous with quality and customer service,” said Sen. Jeff Steinborn, D-Las Cruces.
Most recently the head of business services at the Secretary of State’s Office, Ortiz used to be chief of staff in that office. He formerly was secretary at the Department of Workforce Solutions, head of the Motor Vehicles Division and a senior official in the Taxation and Revenue Department.
An easily overlooked department, General Services is known as the “heart and soul of state government,” responsible for the New Mexico government’s real estate, its vehicle fleet and much of its legal representation.
Charter school cap: Rep. Christine Trujillo has introduced a bill that would put a moratorium on opening any new charter schools from June 2019 until January 2022. The measure is House Bill 434.
The proposal by Trujillo, D-Albuquerque, is designed to “give us time to review best practices, concerns, audits about charter schools and help us figure out how we can best oversee and ensure charter schools are working.”
A broader proposal, Senate Bill 1, was introduced early in the session and included a provision to cap charter school enrollment next year. It met with strong opposition from charter school proponents, including Democratic Sen. Bill O’Neill of Albuquerque.
Lawmakers have since removed the cap from that bill.
Quote of the day: “Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. My name is Tim Keller, from Albuquerque — not the mayor.” Keller, who was not the mayor, spoke to the House Judiciary Bill about House Bill 51, which would decriminalize abortion. The committee voted 10-4 to move the bill forward.
