Real issues or political strategy? Legislators react to governor’s special session Levi Hill/News-Sun Will bills that actually improve public safety make the cut or is the governor simply looking to prop up some candidates she hopes to see elected? That’s the question many Lea County legislators are asking after it was announced Wednesday Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has called for …

What’s at stake in the 2024 legislative session Rep. Jim Townsend Very soon, this coming January, State Representatives and Senators will head to Santa Fe to represent their respective Districts in the 2024 legislative session. This year, and every even-numbered year, Legislators are directed by our Constitution to direct their attention to our State Budget for a thirty day session. …

What’s at stake in the 2024 legislative session Rep. Jim Townsend Very soon, this coming January, State Representatives and Senators will head to Santa Fe to represent their respective Districts in the 2024 legislative session. This year, and every even-numbered year, Legislators are directed by our Constitution to direct their attention to our State Budget for a thirty day session. …

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico’s governor signed an abortion-rights bill Thursday that overrides local ordinances aimed at limiting access to abortion procedures and medications. Reproductive health clinics in New Mexico offer abortion procedures to patients from states, including Texas, with strict abortion bans. The new law also aims to ensure access to gender affirming healthcare related to distress …

By Robert Nott/Santa Fe New Mexican State Rep. Linda Serrato had one question for the House Commerce and Economic Development Committee. “Is this the time for New Mexico to do paid family leave?” the Santa Fe Democrat asked. She was disappointed with the response. Two fellow House Democrats, Reps. Marian Matthews of Albuquerque and Patty Lundstrom of Gallup, joined the four Republicans on the …

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico’s largest teachers union is opposing legislation that would extend the school year to make up for learning that was lost during the coronavirus pandemic. Children are facing unprecedented setbacks amid online instruction, and court rulings are pressuring state leaders to improve student outcomes, which were some of the worst in the nation even …

SANTA FE — New Mexico legislators have voted by a wide margin to pass a $330 million coronavirus relief bill that will send checks directly to out-of-work residents next month, provide grants to small businesses and increase funding for food banks and COVID-19 testing, but ignored calls to send money to hard-hit essential and front-line workers. The largest appropriation of …

Gun buyer background check bill clears Legislature By Robert Nott rnott@sfnewmexican.com The New Mexico House of Representatives voted 42-27 late Monday to approve a bill that would expand requirements for instant federal background checks on buyers of firearms in the state. Exceptions would include sales of antique firearms or any sale involving immediate family members. It would not affect transactions …

Gov. gives full support of abortion ban repeal as measure advances in Senate By Andrew Oxford aoxford@sfnewmexican.com Former Gov. Susana Martinez mostly stayed out of the debate over abortion. But her successor is jumping right into the middle of it. Amid the specter that courts could overturn or significantly undermine Roe v. Wade, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has offered her …

Bipartisan vote spikes bill to raise oil and gas royalties By Andrew Oxford aoxford@sfnewmexican.com A handful of Democrats joined with Republicans at the Legislature on Friday to quash a bill that would have allowed the state to charge higher royalty rates on some oil and gas production. The first committee hearing for House Bill 398 turned into a showdown between …