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First disaster relief dollars for southern acequias to come from private donation
Warmer, longer days mean farmers and ranchers need to start irrigating water. In parts of southern New Mexico, that work is stalled because damaged acequias are still running dry due to last year’s massive disaster season that started with the Black Fire. Time is running out to fix up the irrigation systems that are needed […]
NM religious leaders show public support for abortion
Faith leaders from different denominations in New Mexico are encouraging lawmakers to expand legal protection for reproductive health care rights. On Wednesday, the New Mexico Religious Coalition for Reproductive Justice released a letter with over 100 people from different churches around the state advocating for a person’s right to make their own decisions about reproductive […]
$5 million proposal could help acequias recover from disasters in the past and future
Farmers and ranchers are dealing with clogged-up irrigation systems affecting their livelihoods because of last year’s massive wildfires and floods. Now, they’re looking for ways to clean up all the damage and get water flowing again. Senate Bill 176 would create a $5 million pot that acequia stewards and communities could pull from each year […]
Roundhouse one step away from giving millions for Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon fire recovery
Fixing the only road into town. Repairing aquifer systems so families aren’t worried about the water they drink or use for cattle or farming. That’s the kind of work that northern New Mexico counties could finally pay for if the state House passes the Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire Recovery Funds bill. Monday, the House Appropriations […]
Lawmaker says local choice energy bill needs a rewrite to get through Roundhouse
It could be a long road ahead for legislation that aims to give New Mexicans a choice about where their electricity comes from. Sen. Carrie Hamblen (D-Las Cruces) is sponsoring the Local Choice Energy Act. It would allow tribal or local governments to enact programs that would let people choose local energy providers over investor-owned […]
FEMA cuts first check for Las Vegas, NM water supply restoration
Mayor Louie Trujillo knows he has at least a five-year push in front of him to rebuild water treatment facilities in Las Vegas, N.M., that were contaminated by debris from the Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire. And while he’d like things to move at a faster pace, he did get a drop in the bucket on […]
Black Fire legislation introduced that would send disaster funds to southern NM
Dealing with massive wildfire damage many can’t afford to repair, Black Fire victims in southern New Mexico could finally see some recovery money if a new legislative proposal gets passed. Sens. Crystal Diamond (R-Elephant Butte) and Siah Correa Hemphill (D-Silver City) introduced a Black Fire Recovery bill on Friday, Feb. 3, that would set aside […]
Prescribed burn bill reignites in committee and heads to Senate floor, without penalties
A bill that originally would’ve banned prescribed burns in the spring has morphed into legislation that would prohibit planned fires anytime the National Weather Service puts out a warning that extreme weather conditions could lead to risky fire danger. A committee substitute for Senate Bill 21 got through the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday. Last […]
Early childhood education bill passes through first committee
More community-based education for Indigenous students could make its way to schools and early childhood programs in New Mexico if support for House Bill 148 continues. This legislation, which would have the state enter agreements with Native nations to create relevant early education standards, unanimously passed through the House Government, Elections and Indian Affairs Committee […]
Bill to protect abortion rights and transgender health care in NM takes a step forward
The first piece of legislation protecting abortion rights to begin making its way through the session was approved by lawmakers Friday after an hourslong debate. If passed into law, the Reproductive and Gender-Affirming Health Care Freedom Act would make it illegal for public entities to discriminate against people seeking such care, or to interfere with […]
Northern wildfire recovery legislation heads to N.M. Senate
Local counties that can’t afford to rebuild after New Mexico’s largest blaze are a step closer to getting help to do so. Legislation that would provide financial aid to affected counties unanimously passed through Senate Finance, its second committee, on Wednesday. It’s heading for a vote by the full Senate. The Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire […]
No bills for southern New Mexico Black Fire victims yet
Hundreds of people and families in northern New Mexico are trying to recover after the state’s largest wildfire wrecked their homes and livelihoods, and much of the region. Lawmakers are coming together to try and allocate $100 million in loans from the General Fund to help them out, in addition to the billions of federal […]