Politics

Stewart Bill Overhauls Teacher Evaluation To Support Professional Development

January 31, 2019 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

SENATE News:

Sen. Mimi Stewart’s bill to overhaul the state’s teacher evaluation system by focusing on professional development passed the Senate Education Committee Wednesday.

“As a retired educator, I know that professional development—not punishment—is what teachers need to succeed,” Stewart said. “And when teachers succeed, our kids succeed.”

SB 247 calls on the Public Education Department to develop–in consultation with educators and other stakeholders–by July 1, 2019, a new evaluation system based on instructional quality (which will be

Rep. Christine Chandler Champions Fair Wages And Benefits For Workers Through House Bill 246

January 31, 2019 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

Dist. 43 Rep. Christine Chandler

NMDP News:

SANTA FE ― Rep. Christine Chandler (D-Los Alamos) is championing fair wages and benefits for workers by preparing House Bill 246, regarding the Prevailing Wage, for its first committee hearing.

House Bill 246, ensures that New Mexicans are paid a fair wage for a hard day’s work by closing loop holes, providing a complaint resolution process, and increases penalties for violations. Addressing these issues in the Prevailing Wage law will keep local jobs local, workplaces safe, and ensure quality workmanship in public projects.

Bill To Ensure Sustainability Of New Mexico’s Health Care System Advances

January 31, 2019 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

NMDP News:

SANTA FE ― Wednesday, a bill to create the Health Care Value and Access Commission advanced in the House Health and Human Services Committee.

House Bill 88, sponsored by Rep. Debbie Armstrong (D-Albuquerque) and Rep. Elizabeth “Liz” Thomson (D-Albuquerque), would provide oversight and implement recommendations to ensure the sustainability of the health care system in New Mexico through the Commission.

The Health Care Value and Access Commission would collect and report on state health data and make policy recommendations to improve the efficiency

Udall, Tester, Hoeven, Isakson Fight To Curb Veteran Homelessness In Indian Country

January 31, 2019 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.), vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, along with U.S. Senators Jon Tester (D-Mont.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), and Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), reintroduced bipartisan legislation to better serve homeless or at-risk Native American veterans.

The senators’ Tribal HUD-VASH Act will formally codify a joint tribal housing initiative between the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) program, which provides rental

Legislative Roundup: Jan. 30

January 31, 2019 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

The New Mexico State Capitol in Santa Fe. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

By The New Mexican:

Legislative Roundup: Jan. 30, 2019

Days remaining in session: 45

Open primaries: When legislative leaders assign a bill to three different committees, it’s usually a sign they are not eager for it to pass.

That’s what happened to a bill that would allow independent voters to cast ballots in primary elections.

But House Bill 93 is on its way after getting the backing of a sharply divided House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee on Tuesday.

60+ Mile Run Aims At Drawing Attention To SB 135, Licensing Naturopathic Doctors In New Mexico

January 30, 2019 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

HEALTH News:

JEMEZ SPRINGS — A legislative bill which would allow Naturopathic doctors to be licensed and regulated in New Mexico is the catalyst behind a 60+ mile run, led by the New Mexico Association of Naturopathic Physicians (NMANP) who want to draw attention for the need to license Naturopathic doctors.

“The Run” takes place Feb. 10-12 beginning in Albuquerque with the Sweetheart Run – consists of a 5K, 10K and kid’s 1K run – and continuing from Bernalillo to Jemez Springs, then finishing at the State Capitol steps in Santa Fe.

Currently, Naturopathic

Council Appoints Katrina Schmidt To Fill Open Seat

January 30, 2019 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

Applicants for the open seat on Los Alamos County Council answer questions during the regular meeting Tuesday night in Council Chambers. Questions ranged from the applicants’ leadership experience to what they believe are key priorities for the County. Council voted 4-2 to appoint Katrina Schmidt to fill the seat left vacant by Christine Chandler now serving as Dist. 43 State Representative. Councilor James Robinson and Council Vice Chair Pete Sheehey voted for John Bliss while Council Chair Sara Scott and Councilors Antonio Maggiore, David Izraelevitz and Randall Ryti voted for

EMERGE Graduates Honored Including Land Commissioner SGR And Dist. 43 Rep. Christine Chandler

January 30, 2019 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

New Mexico Commissioner of Public Lands Stephanie Garcia Richard is honored as an EMERGE graduate Tuesday at Casa España in Santa Fe along with House Dist. 43 Rep. Christine Chandler and 16 other state legislators. EMERGE is an organization with branches across the nation that recruits and trains Democratic women to hone their skills to win elections. EMERGE who won their races in 2018 include Rep. Deb Haaland, Rep. Xochitl Torres Small, Los Alamos County Municipal Court Judge Elizabeth Allen and Los Alamos County Council Chair Sara Scott. Courtesy photo

Gov. Lujan Grisham Signs Executive Order Committing New Mexico To Essential Climate Change Action

January 29, 2019 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham

From the Office of the Governor:

SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Tuesday formally ordered that New Mexico will join the U.S. Climate Alliance, fully embracing the goals set by the 2015 Paris Agreement, aligning New Mexico with the U.S. governors and states that have committed to a climate-conscious future and moves to protect people, natural resources and cultural heritage. The governor also ordered the creation of a New Mexico Climate Change Task Force, calling on all state agencies to contribute to a statewide climate strategy and incorporate climate Read More

Governor On Passing Of Rep. Henry ‘Kiki’ Saavedra

January 29, 2019 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham

STATE News:

SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham Monday expressed her sadness at the passing of former state Rep. Henry “Kiki” Saavedra:

“I was incredibly saddened today to hear of former Representative Saavedra’s passing. I had the good fortune to work with and learn from him for many years and knew him to be deeply devoted to his community. As a veteran, a city employee, and a legislator, he lived his life in service.

“He was a treasured leader in the state House, looked up to by new legislators of both parties as a welcoming