Politics

Governor Hails Bill To Lift Cap On Film Incentives

February 3, 2019 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham touted the introduction Friday of Senate Bill 2, which would eliminate the cap on the film tax credit. Photo by Andrew Oxford/The New Mexican

Sen. Nancy Rodriguez, D-Santa Fe, introduced Senate Bill 2 on Friday. The legislation would eliminate the $50 million-a-year cap on the film tax credit. Photo Andrew Oxford/The New Mexican

By ANDREW OXFORD

aoxford@sfnewmexican.com

Gov. Susana Martinez had a relationship with the film industry that could seem at times like something out of a shoot-em-up Western.

Now, her successor wants to be

Udall, Heinrich Work To Close Gender Wage Gap

February 3, 2019 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― Thursday, U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich reintroduced the Paycheck Fairness Act, legislation that would strengthen the Equal Pay Act of 1963 by guaranteeing that women can challenge pay discrimination and hold employers accountable.

The bill introduction comes 10 years after President Obama passed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, marking an important step in the fight to end the gender wage gap.

“Pay discrimination against women violates the basic tenant of fairness that is at the foundation of our state and our country.

Trujillo Unveils Plans To Improve Public Education

February 3, 2019 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

New Mexico Public Education Secretary-designate Karen Trujillo, shown at the Capitol last week during a news conference announcing her appointment by the governor, on Friday outlined some of her priorities for the department, including bolstering teacher ranks and building better collaboration with other agencies that serve children. Photo by Olivia Harlow/The New Mexican

By ROBERT NOTT

rnott@sfnewmexican.com

Growing up surrounded by a mother and sisters who were teachers, Karen Trujillo decided to rebel.

“No,” she said to herself as a child, rejecting the idea

Navajo Code Talker Museum Bill Passes Committee

February 2, 2019 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

State Sen. John Pinto, 94, says he is one of about just eight Navajo Code Talkers who are still alive. Courtesy photo

By ROBERT NOTT

rnott@sfnewmexican.com

They spoke a language most people — including many in their own nation — could not understand.

They befuddled their Japanese enemies who tried to make sense of the strange code. And when World War II ended, they knew they had played a part in keeping the world free.

“We helped win the war,” said Sen. John Pinto, 94, one of the few Navajo Code Talkers who’s still alive.

His voice

Los Alamos County Officials Day At The Roundhouse … Senate Finance Committee Passes ‘Lab Tax Bill’

February 2, 2019 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

Los Alamos County Councilor David Izraelevitz, Councilor Chair Sara Scott, County Manager Harry Burgess and Councilor Vice Chair Pete Sheehey at the Roundhouse. Photo by Morrie Pongratz

Councilors Sara Scott and David Izraelevitz smiling at the ‘Do Pass’ recommendation from the Senate Finance Committee. Photo by Morrie Pongratz

A Day at The Roundhouse

By MORRIE PONGRATZ

Los Alamos

Jan. 31, four of us from Los Alamos traveled to Santa Fe to support Senate Bill 11 (SB11), the bill to not allow 501C(3) exemptions from New Mexico Gross Receipts Taxes for National

Romero Tables Own Privacy Bill Amid Sharp Criticisms

February 2, 2019 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

Rep. Andrea Romero

By ROBERT NOTT

rnott@sfnewmexican.com

Freshman state Rep. Andrea Romero introduced a bill that proposed to fine private companies if they did not remove “damaging” or “excessive” information about people from their websites.

Romero withdrew her legislation less than 24 hours later after she was pilloried by critics who said she wanted to undermine the First Amendment and use state government to police disputes in the private sector.

Romero, D-Santa Fe, on Friday asked the speaker of the House of Representatives

Legislative Roundup: Feb. 2

February 2, 2019 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

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

‘Rocket Docket’ Bills Pass New Mexico House

February 1, 2019 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

House Speaker Rep. Brian Egolf

STATE News:

SANTA FE – The New Mexico House of Representatives passed the Senate “Rocket Docket” bills this morning that will now head to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s desk for signing.

Each of the bills received bipartisan support over the last two legislative sessions and received less than five votes in opposition.

“I am very proud of the bipartisan work the House of Representatives has done to get these important, common-sense bills to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham,” House Speaker Brian Egolf (D-Santa Fe) said. “New Mexico families do not have time to waste, Read More

UNM-LA Participates In UNM Day At Legislature

February 1, 2019 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

UNM-LA Instructor Art Nichols promotes the IT Cybersecurity Program at UNM Day at the State Legislature with a display on Encrypted Steganography and Watermarking. Photo by Kateri Morris/UNM-LA

UNM-LA News:

UNM-Los Alamos (UNM-LA) participated Thursday in UNM Day at the State Legislature.

The event provided opportunities for UNM Main and Branch Campuses to highlight campus organizations, specific degree programs and alumni through posters, printed media and personal interactions.

Visitors to the event included State Legislators and other government

Udall, Carper Respond To EPA Withdrawing Proposal To Scrap Worker Protection Rules

February 1, 2019 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.), ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, and U.S. Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, responded to news that the Trump Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has withdrawn—for now—its proposal to scrap two critical worker protections, the updated Agricultural Worker Protection Standard (WPS) and Certification of Pesticide Applicators (CPA) Rule.

Carper previously secured