New Mexico Lawmakers Eager To Legalize Recreational Marijuana Face Looming Challenge … Time Is Running Out
Sen. Gay Kernan
By ROBERT NOTT
rnott@sfnewmexican.com
New Mexico lawmakers eager to legalize recreational marijuana are facing a looming challenge.
Simply put, time is running out.
This year’s 60-day legislative session has 20 days left, and lawmakers in the Senate have four proposals to consider.
On Saturday, members of the Senate Tax, Business and Transportation Committee hashed out those initiatives with the bills’ sponsors for nearly four hours. It was the first time the bills received a hearing in the Senate — a point brought up by Sen. Craig Brandt, R-Rio Rancho.
“This was supposed Read More
Historic New Mexico Civil Rights Act Passes Committee
Rep. Georgene Louis
New Mexico House Democrats News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Civil Rights Act cleared its first hurdle in the Senate Friday, passing the Senate House Health and Public Affairs Committee. The measure has already passed the House of Representatives.
Sponsored by Rep. Georgene Louis (D-Albuquerque), Speaker of the House Brian Egolf (D-Santa Fe), and Sen. Joseph Cervantes (D-Las Cruces) House Bill 4: the New Mexico Civil Rights Act provides an avenue for justice for New Mexicans who have had their constitutional rights violated by government actors.
New Mexico’s Bill of Rights Read More
New Mexico COVID-19 Update: 275 New Cases, Total Now 184,888 With 15 New Deaths And 143,774 Patients Recovered
Today’s update includes 15 more deaths in New Mexico related to COVID-19.
The New Mexico Department of Health reports today’s most recent cases:
- 105 new cases in Bernalillo County
- 12 new cases in Chaves County
- 8 new cases in Cibola County
- 11 new
State Police To Conduct Checkpoints And Saturation Patrols Throughout Counties Across New Mexico In March
NMSP conducting sobriety checkpoints throughout March across New Mexico. Post file photo
NMSP News:
New Mexico State Police (NMSP) will be conducting sobriety checkpoints, saturation patrols and registration, insurance and driver’s license checkpoints in all New Mexico counties throughout March.
NMSP is bringing awareness to these events in an effort to reduce alcohol related fatalities through continued media attention and intensive advertising.
These checkpoints are helping to change society’s attitude about drinking and driving.
Note: Hundreds of lives could be saved Read More
In Light Of Her Death … Los Alamos Public Schools Establishes Karen Trujillo Scholarship To Honor Her Memory
LAPS News:
Los Alamos Public Schools is deeply saddened by news of the death of Las Cruces Public Schools Superintendent Karen Trujillo, who was struck and killed by a vehicle last evening.
LAPS joins the other New Mexico school districts in offering its condolences to her family and the LCPS district as they navigate through this shocking and tragic loss.
“Karen’s impact on education stretches to every corner of our state. She has been a true friend and colleague with the Los Alamos Schools,” LAPS Superintendent Kurt Steinhaus said. “We have reached out to the family to assist in helping them Read More
House Speaker Files Motion To Dismiss Ethics Complaint
Staff Report
Santa Fe New Mexican
Attorneys for House Speaker Brian Egolf submitted a motion Friday to dismiss an ethics complaint filed by a retired judge who claimed the Santa Fe Democrat stands to benefit if the New Mexico Civil Rights Act becomes law.
Egolf’s 24-page motion argues the complaint — filed earlier this month with the state Ethics Commission by former Judge Sandra Price, who served 12 years on the bench in the 11th Judicial District — should be dismissed because it is frivolous and unsubstantiated, and also doesn’t state a “claim upon which relief can be granted.” Read More
Recreational Cannabis Bill Passes New Mexico House
Rep. Javier Martinez
By ROBERT NOTT
Santa Fe New Mexican
In a race to legalize recreational cannabis before the legislative session ends, House Bill 12 has taken a wide lead.
The New Mexico House of Representatives voted 39-31 in favor of the bill, which would allow anyone 21 and over to use cannabis products and grow small amounts for personal use or apply for a license to grow and sell it — with no production limit.
The bill heads to the Senate for consideration.
HB 12 is one of five cannabis legalization measures introduced in the Legislature. So far, it is the only one that has reached a chamber floor. Read More
Chart 350 COVID-19 In New Mexico Feb. 27, 2021
This chart shows the percentage of residents receiving at least one vaccine dose by county. Los Alamos County and its three neighbors are highlighted. Source: New Mexico Department of Health. Created by Eli Ben-Naim Read More
Egolf Draws Bipartisan Ire Over Redistricting Stance
The Roundhouse in Santa Fe. Post file photo
By ROBERT NOTT
SFNM
New Mexico House Speaker Brian Egolf is facing sharp criticism from Republicans and Democrats alike over his opposition to having an independent commission oversee the state’s redistricting process.
In particular, members of both parties were thrown by comments the Santa Fe Democrat made during a Zoom conference last week with Retake Our Democracy, an organization focused on social justice. Part of the discussion centered on bipartisan proposals in the Legislature to create a commission to take on the often controversial task Read More
PED: 24 New Mexico Schools On COVID-19 Watchlist
PED News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Public Education Department (PED) reports 24 New Mexico school buildings appeared on the COVID-19 Watchlist in the week ending Friday, Feb. 26, signifying they had at least two Rapid Responses within a 14-day period.
Those school buildings are:
ALAMOGORDO
- Alamogordo High
- New Mexico School for the Blind
ALBUQUERQUE
- Albuquerque High
- APS Student Transportation
- Hoover Middle
- Hope Christian High School
- Jimmy Carter Middle
- Lavaland Elementary
ARTESIA
- Grand Heights Early Childhood
CARLSBAD
- Carlsbad High
- Carlsbad Intermediate
- Desert Willow Elementary
New Mexico [External Sources]
- Cooler and rainier weekend around New Mexico - KRQE News 13
- What’s happening around New Mexico April 19-25 - KRQE News 13
- James McGrath Morris brings New Mexico writers to the table - Santa Fe New Mexican
- UNM celebrates 2024 New Mexico Postdoctoral Research Symposium - UNM Newsroom
- New Mexico has $4.5 billion in state funding sitting untouched - KOB 4
- New Mexico Jewish communities concerned about threat of attacks during Passover - KOB 4
