Capital Outlay Bill Dies As Legislature Adjourns
House Floor on Saturday during debate of SB 159. Courtesy photo
Staff Report:
SANTA FE – At noon Saturday, the 2015 New Mexico legislative session came to an end as the constitutionally allotted 60 days expired.
Once legislators adjourned, all uncompleted legislation died. This year’s legislative session saw a Republican majority take control of the House of Representatives for the first time in six decades.
This change in party control meant little to most New Mexicans and there were signs of bipartisan cooperation as the Legislature passed a $6.2 billion budget for next year’s Read More
SFCIR: Dr. Nakhleh To Speak On ISIS And The Aftermath Of The Arab Spring – Threats And Challenges
Dr. Emile Nakhleh
SFCIR News:
The Santa Fe Council on International Relations presents a World Affairs Discussion Event “ISIS and the Aftermath of the Arab Spring: Threats and Challenges” by speaker Emile Nakhleh at 3 p.m. Saturday, April 11.
The event is hosted at the Santa Fe University of Art & Design, in the Forum, 1600 St. Michael’s Dr., and the cost is $15 for CIR members; $20 for non-members and guests, and qualified students with appropriate I.D. are welcome to attend this event for free.
Dr. Nakhlehretired is a Senior Intelligence Service Officer (SIS-3), Research Read More
NM REIA Enters PNM Rate Case To Protect ‘Rooftop’ Customer Sited Solar Projects And Jobs It Creates
REIA News:
ALBUQUERQUE – The Renewable Energy Industries Association – New Mexico (REIA) has filed with the Public Regulation Commission to intervene in the Public Service Company of New Mexico’s (PNM) rate case, in which the utility seeks to raise electricity rates approximately 12 percent.
REIA’s interest in the case is PNM’s request for approval to add a monthly interconnection fee (access fee) to the bills of owners of rooftop solar systems and to eliminate those customers’ ability to carry forward excess generation on their bills, or “bank” that energy for use in winter months. Read More
Rio Grande Trail Bill Goes To Governor’s Desk
Rep. Jeff Steinborn
STATE News:
- Legislation creates a commission to develop the Rio Grande Trail
SANTA FE – House Bill 563, “Rio Grande Trail Commission” sponsored by Rep. Jeff Steinborn, D-Las Cruces has passed in the Senate.
The bill now goes to the Governor for approval. Governor Martinez has already expressed support for creation of the Trail, stating in a news release that it would be a historic achievement for New Mexico.
HB 563 would create the Rio Grande Trail Commission to study and recommend the best paths for a new Rio Grande Trail. The Commission would coordinate with the many stakeholders Read More
Gov. Susana Martinez Acts On Legislation
STATE News:
SANTA FE — Today, Gov. Susana Martinez signed the Vaccine Purchasing Act.
Senate Bill 121, sponsored by Rep. Terry McMillan, R-Las Cruces and Sen. Bill O’Neill, D-Albuquerque, shores up funding for a statewide program that provides critical vaccines for children against life-threatening diseases. New Mexico is one of only nine states that purchase all recommended vaccines for children.
This legislation will ensure that New Mexico continues to be a leader in vaccinating children against life-threatening diseases.
The governor also acted on the following legislation:
- Signed
WIPP Center Stage At Waste Management Conference
James Knox with the Arizona Department of Public Service performs a mock Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) level VI inspection of a WIPP truck and transuranic waste shipping containers during this week’s Waste Management Conference in Phoenix. Courtesy/WIPP
WIPP News:
WIPP took center stage at this week’s Waste Management Symposia 2015 in Phoenix, Ariz., where more than 200 participants attended a three-hour panel discussion titled “Lessons Learned and Return to Operations Following 2014 Operational Incidents.”
The panel focused on the WIPP fire and radiological release Read More
Senate Breaks Impasse On Immigrants’ Drivers Licenses
STATE News:
- Strongly Bipartisan Compromise Bill Passes Senate On 35-5 Vote
SANTA Fe – With the broad support of both Democrats and Republican members, the New Mexico Senate today passed compromise legislation that successfully resolves the complex issue of undocumented immigrants drivers’ licenses and state compliance with the federal REAL ID law.
The compromise was hammered out by two of the Senate’s most respected leaders, Republican Floor Leader Sen. Stuart Ingle, R-Chaves, Curry, and Finance Committee Chairman, Democratic Sen. John Arthur Smith, D-Luna. Senate Bill 653 (SB 653) Read More
LANL Foundation ISEC Staff And Students Demonstrate Inquiry Science Kits At Roundhouse
LANL Foundation Inquiry Science Education Consortium (ISEC) staff and student scientists demonstrated inquiry science kits to visitors at the Santa Fe Capitol Roundhouse this week. Young scientist Jakob Warniment assists New Mexico Secretary of Education Hanna Skandera with a microscope from the Microworlds science kit. Standing in back from left, ISEC Director of Professional Development and Evaluation Gwen Warniment, LANL Foundation CEO Jenny Parks and ISEC Program Director Dorothy Sanchez. Courtesy photo
Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard recognized the success of the Inquiry Science Read More
LANL: HAWC Observatory To Study Universe’s Most Energetic Phenomena
The HAWC Gamma-Ray Observatory, 13,500 feet above sea level on the slopes of Mexico’s Volcán Sierra Negra. Courtesy/LANL
LANL News:
- Inaugural ceremony marks completion of powerful system to detect gamma rays and cosmic rays
Supernovae, neutron star collisions and active galactic nuclei are among the most energetic phenomena in the known universe. These violent explosions produce high-energy gamma rays and cosmic rays, which can easily travel large distances—making it possible to see objects and events far outside our own galaxy.
Construction is now complete on the newest tool available Read More
Bill To Significantly Boost New Mexico Businesses Passes Senate Floor
Senate Majority Whip Michael Padilla
SANTA FE – Senate Bill 69 (SB 69), also known as the Resident Business Set-Aside Act, has passed the Senate floor. SB 69 is designed to build the local economy and create more jobs for New Mexicans by proposing that 33 percent of certain state contracts go to resident businesses.
Bill sponsor, Senate Majority Whip Michael Padilla, D-Bernalillo, said he is delighted about the support the bill has received in the Legislature and from the public.
“This week, the Senate passed a bill that is important to our state. It’s time we start taking care of local business Read More