Capitol Update for January 22, 2020

INTRO:

As a joint session of the New Mexico Legislature prepared to take-in Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s state of the state address to begin the 2020 30-day session, a major question-mark issue is cannabis legislation.

Tom Trowbridge reports from the Roundhouse:

          Runs 1:30          Q: Std

((Tom)):

Immediately after last year’s 60-day New Mexico Legislative session adjourned, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham went on record saying legalizing cannabis would be an issue for this year’s session.

Democrat Peter Wirth of Santa Fe is the Senate Majority Leader:

         Wirth-1  :23

A legalization bill passed the House of Representatives last year, but got stuck in a Senate Committee. Wirth says one of the issues within the Senate caucus is that members don’t want approving legal cannabis just as a means to raise revenues.

         Wirth-2       :21

Of course, THE issue this session is crafting a state budget, a task made much easier by New Mexico’s surplus funds this year thanks to the booming oil and gas industries.

–

For the New Mexico News Network, I’m Tom Trowbridge 

-30-

NMDOT reports difficult driving conditions in northern New Mexico Tuesday

NEW MEXICO (KRQE)- The New Mexico Department of Transporation is reporting difficult driving conditions in several northern areas of the state on Tuesday morning. They are the following areas gong from west to east across New Mexico:

State House Republican backs tougher crime bills ahead of legislative session

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.— Fighting crime in the community will be front and center during the 2020 legislative session, which begins Tuesday.

Lawmakers to debate different proposals, including changes to laws involving guns

One proposed change has support from both sides of isle

Bill Rehm is a retired captain from the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Department. “Crime is absolutely out of control,” he said. Rehm has also been a Republican lawmaker for more than a decade. This year, his name popped up on message from the governor, a Democrat.

Nationwide Group of Faith Leaders To Hold Anti-Detention Event at Otero County Processing Center

Chaparral, N.M. – NM CAFe will host faith leaders from across the country for a week long Border Encounter. LA RED and LIVE FREE, the immigrant rights and gun violence and mass incarceration programs of Faith in Action, are joining area community and faith leaders to stage a public action at the Otero County Detention Center in support of ending privatized detention and incarceration on Thursday, January 23, 2020 at 3 p.m. MT. 

Sandia National Laboratories Reports Record Economic Impact

Sandia National Laboratories Director James Peery announced recently that Sandia pumped an all-time high of nearly three-point-seven billion dollars into the economy in fiscal year 2019…. This, by spending on goods, services, payroll, taxes and other payments. Peery said in a news release that, quoting: “Sandia is proud of the past success but will not rest, we will keep building on these successes and seeking partnerships with highly qualified, diverse suppliers that can contribute to Sandia’s national security mission and spur economic growth in New Mexico and across the country.”

Southwestern NM State Fair Association met Thursday Picture

DEMING – The Southwestern New Mexico State Fair Association held its annual meeting Thursday evening. The main action at the meeting was the election of four board members.

Illegal crossings plunge as US extends policy across border

Illegal border crossings have plummeted after the Trump administration made more asylum-seekers wait in Mexico for hearings in U.S. immigration court. The drop has been most striking on Arizona’s western border, a pancake-flat desert. Border arrests there fell 94% from May to October. A Border Patrol official says traffic plunged after asylum-seekers learned they couldn’t stay in the U.S. while their cases wound through court. More than 55,000 asylum-seekers were returned to Mexico to wait for hearings through November, 10 months after the policy was introduced in San Diego.

Thousands show up for women’s rights rally and march

Event gives people of all backgrounds opportunities to make their voices heard

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Thousands of people turned out at Civic Plaza on Sunday for Women Rising. The annual rally and march promoted women’s rights and drew attention to issues women face today.

Holm wins rematch against Raquel Pennington by unanimous decision

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. –  Holly Holm pulled out another win against Raquel Pennington at UFC 246 Saturday night. She won by unanimous decision after the two went for all three rounds.

New Mexico League of Women Voters advocates for Equal Rights Amendment

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – The League of Women Voters of Central New Mexico is raising awareness for a renewed push of the Equal Rights Amendment. It comes just weeks before the 100th anniversary of New Mexico’s ratification of the 19th amendment, or women’s right to vote, which will be celebrated on February 21st, 2020.

Governor Calls in to Deming Radio

NM Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham talked about the upcoming legislative session and local issues and priorities.

Report: New Mexico back to 49th in nation in child poverty

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.- A child-advocacy group says New Mexico’s child poverty rate rose slightly and continues to rank near the bottom nationally.

Video: Disruptive passenger forces American Airlines flight to be diverted to Albuquerque

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.- An American Airlines flight from Los Angeles to Chicago was diverted to Albuquerque Wednesday. 

New Mexico Governor Announces Priorities For Legislative Session

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Wednesday announced her agenda for the second session of the 54th New Mexico Legislature.   Here is a statement from the Governor’s office: The governor’s call for the 30-day legislative session scheduled to begin Tuesday, Jan. 21, encompasses the priority areas of education, the economy, public safety, health, and the environment. “Year One was a tremendous start, and I’m incredibly enthusiastic about the opportunity to keep building on that foundation over the next month – indeed, over the next year and beyond,” Gov. Lujan Grisham said. “My call for this legislative session underscores the work we are undertaking on two fronts: addressing urgent needs and strategically investing in sustainable improvements over the long term. 

Foreign country hacks New Mexico Public Regulation Commission system

SANTA FE, N.M. — The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission is investigating after a foreign country hacked its network internet and intranet system, according to officials. A spokesperson for the FBI says the agency is also involved.

Snow, rain move north across New Mexico on Thursday

Rain, wintry mix and snow are moving north this morning, causing school delays and potentially slick road conditions through the commute. Winter weather advisories and winter storm warnings are in effect across the northern half of NM through Friday.

NMED discovers more potential methane emission violations

The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) announced more possible emission violations produced by oil and gas operations around the state. The department said it acquired video footage collected by citizens using forward-looking infrared (FLIR) cameras documenting methane and other air contaminants. NMED believes the emissions depicted in the video footage are “potential violations of existing state permits or regulations,” the department said in a statement.

Department of Health Orders Increased Screening of Syphilis

The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) today is issuing a Public Health Order – Congenital Syphilis requiring the increased screening of syphilis for pregnant women statewide to prevent congenital syphilis, a disease that occurs when a mother with sexually transmitted syphilis passes the infection on to her baby during pregnancy.

Lawmakers from New Mexico hold out on review of nuke plan

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Members of New Mexico’s congressional delegation are finding themselves in an awkward position as watchdog groups claim the U.S. government is skirting one of the nation’s key environmental laws.

Colorado man accused of attempted kidnapping arrested in New Mexico

CARLSBAD, N.M. (KRQE) – A man suspected of trying to kidnap an Uber driver in Colorado is awaiting extradition after being arrested in New Mexico.

Conflicting polling results show mixed support for legalization of marijuana

New Mexico lawmakers will meet in Santa Fe next week and are expected to talk about making recreational marijuana legal. But a recent poll done by Emerson College shows 63% of New Mexico voters oppose making recreational marijuana legal.

Black Hawks to start border flights in New Mexico

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Black Hawk helicopters will start flights over a stretch of the U.S.-Mexico border including New Mexico and Texas for border enforcement and search and rescue operations, federal border agency officials said.