Luján Named Ranking Member Of Agriculture Subcommittee On Nutrition And Specialty Crops
STATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) was named Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry’s Subcommittee on Food and Nutrition, Specialty Crops, Organics, and Research for the 119th Congress. Luján will serve alongside Subcommittee Chairman U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.).
“Across New Mexico and the nation, federal nutrition assistance programs help feed our families and children, while our specialty crop growers put high-quality, nutritious produce for our tables,” Luján said. “I am honored to have been Read More
Legislative Roundup: 51 Days Remaining In Session
New Mexico State Capitol in Santa Fe. Courtesy photo
The Santa Fe New Mexican:
Surface water bills move forward: A pair of water bills were approved along party lines by the Senate Conservation Committee on Thursday morning.
With Senate Bill 21, the state Environment Department is seeking to take over an Environmental Protection Agency permitting system for pollutants discharged into surface water. New Mexico is one of just a few states that does not administer its own program.
Senate Bill 22 intends to “fill in the gap” left by the 2023 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Sackett v. EPA by providing Read More
Bi-Partisan Group Of Legislators Introduce Legislation To Create A Medical Psilocybin Program In New Mexico
NMDP News:
SANTA FE — Jan. 30, a bi-partisan bi-cameral group of legislators have introduced legislation, Senate Bill 219, establishing a program to allow New Mexicans to receive medical treatments from psilocybin mushrooms for qualified medical conditions.
The “Medical Psilocybin Act” lays the path for mental and behavioral health treatment for New Mexicans suffering from major treatment-resistant depression, post traumatic stress disorder, substance use disorders; end-of-life care; and other conditions approved by the Department of Health. The act establishes a Medical Psilocybin Read More
Luján Meets With Hermit’s Peak Fire Victims To Address Unsettled Claims And Push For Urgent Improvements
U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Jan. 30, U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) convened a meeting with claimants who have unsettled total loss claims from the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire and Claims Office Director Jay Mitchell. The meeting provided an opportunity for claimants to share their concerns about the process and allow Director Mitchell to provide a direct update on the progress of claims.
“I am thankful to all of the total loss victims who joined us today to tell their devastating stories. Each one of your stories is unique, and we need to hear them. What has become Read More
Early Childhood Education And Care Advisory Council Holds First Meeting Of 2025
ECECD News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Advisory Council convened Wednesday, Jan. 22, to discuss the New Mexico Legislature’s 60-day session, the Council’s 2024 annual report, and a look-ahead at 2025 for the Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD).
“For years, the early childhood community has not had a voice at the table. Now, another year is starting with voices heard, from every corner of New Mexico, and sharing the same goal: improving outcomes for the state’s youngest children and their families,” Council member Daisy Lira said. “I am excited Read More
Amid ‘Deep Division In Our Nation,’ Stansbury, Vasquez Call For Bipartisanship In New Mexico
U.S. Reps. Melanie Stansbury (left), and Gabe Vasquez, right, get a warm welcome from fellow Democrats as they enter the state House chamber to address a joint session of the Legislature Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025. Photo by Jim Weber/The New Mexican
U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez (right), gets a warm welcome from fellow Democrats as he steps up to the podium to address a joint session of the Legislature Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025. Photo by Jim Weber/The New Mexican
By DANIEL J. CHACÓN
The Santa Fe New Mexican
U.S. Reps. Melanie Stansbury and Gabe Vasquez praised themselves and the Legislature while bemoaning Read More
Supreme Court Honors Retired Justice H. Vern Payne
New Mexico Supreme Court Senior Justice Michael E. Vigil presents Justice H. Vern Payne with a commemorative volume of opinions the retired justice wrote while on the Court. Courtesy photo
Justice Payne listens to a few kind words from son-in-law and Thirteenth Judicial District Court Judge Allen Smith, whose courtroom is where the ceremony took place. Courtesy photo
NMSC News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Supreme Court honored retired Justice H. Vern Payne with a published commemorative compilation of opinions he wrote while serving on the Supreme Court from 1977 to 1983.
“We are honored to present Read More
NMDWS Hosts Event To Expand Workforce Outreach
NMDWS Deputy Secretary Marcos Martinez addresses Community-Based Organizations at Connecting You: Engaging NMDWS Services for Effective Client Support event. Courtesy photo
NMDWS News:
ALBUQUERQUE – The New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions (NMDWS) hosted an event Thursday in Albuquerque bringing together Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) to strengthen partnerships and enhance outreach for Unemployment Insurance and re-employment services.
The event, Connecting You: Engaging NMDWS Services for Effective Client Support, highlighted efforts to bridge gaps in Read More
Bill Poses New Threat In Predatory Lending
By MILAN SIMONICH
The Santa Fe New Mexican
Storefront lenders howled when the New Mexico Legislature finally outlawed their 175% annual interest rates.
The lenders claimed they’d provided a public service. Mostly they saddled desperate customers with crushing debt.
The smokescreens from industry lobbyists didn’t survive in a land of pink-and-orange sunrises. Storefront lenders across New Mexico are still in business 13 months after lawmakers capped rates for small loans at 36%.
The lower figure still sounds oppressive, but at least the years of state politicians abetting Read More
Luján, Wyden, Finance Democrats Press RFK Jr. To Reject Big Pharma Pause On Medicare Negotiation
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), and all Democratic members of the Senate Committee on Finance sent a letter to Robert F. Kennedy Jr. pressing him to answer nearly a dozen questions regarding his views on Medicare drug price negotiation and confirm he will not pause negotiations, as CEOs representing the largest pharmaceutical companies have requested.
“As a result of the Inflation Reduction Act, which passed without a single Republican vote, Medicare drug price negotiation is a powerful tool Read More