Legislative Roundup: 37 Days Remaining In Session
The Roundhouse in Santa Fe. Post file photo
The Santa Fe New Mexican:
Special ed office clears committee: A bill to formally create an Office of Special Education under the Public Education Department made it out of the Senate Education Committee with two “no” votes Wednesday.
The office had existed prior, thanks to a 2023 executive order from Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, but Senate Bill 38, which is being sponsored by Senate President Pro Tempore Mimi Stewart, D-Albuquerque, would codify it within state law and expand its duties.
While no funding request is included in the bill, the expansion Read More
Republicans’ Bills Get Hearings But Little Love From Dems
Payton McNabb, 19, of North Carolina, who was injured during a high school volleyball game by a transgender teen on the opposing team, speaks to reporters at the state Capitol in Santa Fe during a news conference held today by Republican lawmakers backing a bill that would prohibit transgender athletes from competing against girls. Photo by Michael G. Seamans/The New Mexican
By DANIEL J. CHACÓN
The Santa Fe New Mexican
A bill that would prohibit transgender athletes from participating in girls’ and women’s sports at schools.
A bill that would get rid of the requirement for concealed carry licenses. Read More
Heinrich Delivers Floor Speech Opposing Nomination Of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. For Health Secretary
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — This afternoon, U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) delivered remarks on the Senate floor amplifying the voices of New Mexicans opposing the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to be the U.S. Secretary for Health and Human Services.
“I hope all of my colleagues take seriously what it would mean to confirm this anti-vaccine, anti-science snake oil salesman as our next Secretary of Health and Human Services,” said Heinrich.
Heinrich began his remarks by recounting how Mr. Kennedy’s 2019 trip to the Pacific island of Samoa intensified vaccine skepticism Read More
New Public Safety Package Mingles Competency And Crime, Drawing Concerns On Both Sides
By MARGARET O’HARA
The Santa Fe New Mexican
What’s the difference between going to trial and taking a plea deal?
What does the prosecutor do? And who’s that sitting at the head of the courtroom, wearing the black robe?
These are some of the questions defense attorneys use to gauge a client’s competency — a legal term referring to a defendant’s mental capacity to understand the charges they face and to help in their own defense.
Second Judicial District Defender Dennica Torres said defense attorneys raise competency concerns when their clients “don’t understand that they’re Read More
SFWAF Annual Symposium—’Democracy In The Time Of Autocrats’ April 10-11
SFWAF News:
Registration is now open for “Democracy in the Time of Autocrats”, the Santa Fe World Affairs Forum’s annual symposium held April 10-11.
We live in stormy times. The heyday following Communism’s end in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe is a faded memory. History has not ended as once prophesized – it has instead moved on to the rise of populist leaders and their autocratic control domestically and internationally. The democratic model which promised so much is under challenge throughout the globe.
Can democracy survive the onslaught of autocrats? Can civil society institutions Read More
Publishers Sound Off On Journalism Measures Proposed In NM Legislative Session
The Roundhouse in Santa Fe. Post file photo
By Cormac Dodd
The Santa Fe New Mexican
Since the 1930s, Barbara Beck’s family has owned the Roswell Daily Record in Southern New Mexico, best known for meticulously chronicling the UFO fever that first swept the region and then the nation as a whole in 1947.
But she knows the challenges facing the print news industry today.
“It’s important that we protect and that we pay journalists a fair salary,” said Beck, publisher of the Record. “It’s kind of a struggle to be honest as a small, daily newspaper. But it’s Read More
New Mexico Legislature Celebrates Military & Veterans Day Honoring Service Members Feb. 19
DVS News:
SANTA FE — Military Veterans, National Guard members, reservists and active-duty service members will be honored at the 2025 Military & Veterans Day at the Legislature Feb. 19 at the New Mexico State Capitol.
A noon ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda will honor New Mexico’s enduring military legacy, recognizing the families of past, present and future service members.
Presented by the New Mexico Department of Veterans’ Services and the New Mexico National Guard, this annual event recognizes the service and sacrifice of New Mexico’s military community.
This year’s theme, “Enduring Read More
Santa Fe Playhouse Expands Leadership In 2025 Season
Santa Fe Playhouse. Courtesy photo
SFP News:
SANTA FE — The Santa Fe Playhouse (SFP) welcomes Jessica Morrow to its leadership team in the role of Managing Director starting in March 2025. This expansion of the leadership team is part of an exciting move for the company to further implement new programming that supports their vision and mission.
“I’ve been a longtime fan of the work Santa Fe Playhouse has produced in service of the New Mexico performing arts community and am excited to join this talented team. This community has loved and shepherded this theatre for 100 years and I am eager Read More
Enforcement Watch Alert: 84 Enforcement Actions Initiated; 104 Enforcement Actions Resolved In January 2025
NMED News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) today released Enforcement Watch updates for the month of January 2025. The Enforcement Watch is a listing of all active and resolved enforcement cases.
Active cases involve an alleged violation of a regulation, rule, permit, license, etc. Resolved cases are those that were adjudicated in court of law or administratively resolved. The Enforcement Watch also provides tools for the public to report alleged environmental or workplace safety violations. In FY24 NMED initiated 934 enforcement actions and resolved 1,706, paving Read More
Enhanced Penalty For Battery On Peace Officer Clears House Judiciary Committee
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham
STATE News:
SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham issued the following statement Thursday after the House Judiciary Committee unanimously passed House Bill 103, which strengthens the penalty for battery on a peace officer.
“Our law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every single day to keep New Mexicans safe. They deserve to know that we have their backs and won’t tolerate behavior that puts them at risk.”
House Bill 103 proposes classifying aggravated battery on a police officer as a second-degree felony when it involves: inflicting great Read More