Page 39 - Quick Reads News Today

meunierd/Shutterstock A bill that would amend the New Mexico Human Rights Act to make clear that public bodies and state agencies are subject to its provisions passed unanimously in committee hearing Saturday. HB 192 is sponsored by House Rep. Brittany Barreras, an independent from Albuquerque who caucuses with the Democrats. Called the Extend Human Rights Act to Public Bodies, the bill passed the House Local Government, Land Grants and Cultural Affairs unanimously. Barreras and co-sponsor Rep....

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and state officials held a press conference to discuss the state’s response to COVID-19, including the easing of restrictions in many parts of the state, on Wednesday. Watch the full video below, via the governor’s Facebook page. Update: See the recap of the press conference here.

By Daniel J. Chacón, Santa Fe New Mexican | February 10, 2021 The state Senate’s Tax, Business and Transportation Committee unanimously endorsed a two-pronged proposal Tuesday designed to provide businesses with economic relief and also stimulate job growth, part of an ongoing effort to help New Mexicans struggling with the fallout of the novel coronavirus pandemic. Senate Bill 5, sponsored by Sen. George Muñoz, D-Gallup, expands the Local Economic Development Act in two ways. “The first...

By Robert Nott, Santa Fe New Mexican | February 10, 2021 Despite investments of hundreds of millions of dollars, access to broadband services has remained out of reach for many New Mexicans in rural and impoverished areas. And the COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated that problem, especially when it comes to public school students trying to learn remotely.  That’s the message members of the House Transportation, Public Works and Capital Improvements Committee heard from a number of lawmak...

February 8, 2021 A bill to keep Native children within their tribe or pueblo when the state separates them from their parents passed the House State Government and Indian Affairs Committee unanimously on Monday. Sponsored by state Rep. Georgene Louis, D-Albuquerque and of the Acoma Pueblo, HB 209 has overwhelming support from various organizations and Tribal and pueblo governments in the state.  If it becomes law, the bill would codify the federal Indian Child Welfare Act, which was passed in ...

As the New Mexico Legislature enters its third week, the back-and-forth wrangling over whether the House of Representatives is following constitutional rules in running a virtual session is still playing out.  Lawyers for House Speaker Brian Egolf, D-Santa Fe, and the Legislative Council filed a response over the weekend asking the state Supreme Court to dismiss […]

Laura Paskus A bill that would create a state-administered fund to begin providing up to 12 weeks of paid family medical leave starting in 2024 passed the House Commerce and Economic Development Committee Monday. HB 38, the Paid Family and Medical Leave Act, received bipartisan support and passed with an amendment. State Rep. Kelly Fajardo, R-Los Lunas, cast a yes vote, along with all six of the Democrats in the committee. Republican committee members expressed concern about the bill’s potent...

By Daniel J. Chacón, Santa Fe New Mexican | February 9, 2021 The seal of the state of New Mexico in the House A bill that would give local school boards in New Mexico the authority to decide when students could return to the classroom amid a state-issued public health emergency order stalled Monday in the Senate Education Committee after a 4-4 vote. But the proposed legislation, which garnered the support of one Democrat on the committee, hasn’t been expelled. “Let’s just leave it there...

February 7, 2021 Enrollment has dropped in New Mexico’s public schools during the coronavirus pandemic, partly because many families have opted to home-school their children. So state legislators are moving to maintain funding at pre-pandemic levels, typically based on the previous year’s head count. The House Education Committee on Saturday unanimously passed House Bill 175, which would ensure no district or charter school receives less funding for next school year than this one. “If al...

On Friday, the state Department of Health reported 589 new cases of COVID-19 and 23 deaths related to the disease. On Thursday, the state had reported 565 new COVID-19 cases and seventeen additional deaths.  The number of those hospitalized for COVID-19 reached 396 on Friday, 80 fewer than reported on Wednesday. This could include those […]