NM Civic Engagement Table

05/04/2021

NM lawmakers shifting to in-person attendance

As vaccination rates continue to increase in New Mexico, legislators are now planning to go back to in-person meeting during the summer interim committee hearings. According to sources "video of legislative meetings will still be streamed online."

SANTA FE — New Mexico lawmakers plan to return to in-person meetings this summer. They are between legislative sessions now, but interim committees — some featuring the highest-ranking members of the Legislature — are meeting…

05/04/2021

Children sentenced as adults are disproportionately children of color

In New Mexico, children can and often are sentenced as adults for violent crimes even though studies have shown that children have less impulse control and that the brain doesn’t completely stabilize until a person reaches their mid-20s:

05/04/2021

Proposed federal funds could help clean abandoned oil, gas wells in New Mexico

Roughly 700 abandoned oil and gas wells are scattered throughout the San Juan and Permian basins, many of them posing environmental hazards and all marring the landscape. Federal funding has been proposed to plug 'orphaned wells' and remediate the sites. That would include stopping them from further contaminating air, groundwater and soil:

Roughly 700 abandoned oil and gas wells are scattered throughout the San Juan and Permian basins, many of them posing environmental hazards and all marring the landscape.

05/03/2021

'Our family felt abandoned:' Essential immigrant workers call on state delegation to fight for citizenship

NM Comunidades en Acción y de Fé - CAFé joined with local elected officials Friday morning to call on the state's U.S. senators, representatives and President Joe Biden to push for a pathway to citizenship for immigrant workers:

CAFé said immigrants work in many of the essential jobs that have kept New Mexico running during the pandemic and have faced a high risk of illness.

04/30/2021

ACLU of New Mexico is hiring! Make sure to check out their link to find out more and apply:

We're hiring! Want to join our team? We're currently seeking a Development Operations Coordinator.

Full job details and how to apply here: https://www.aclu-nm.org/en/jobs/development-operations-coordinator

04/29/2021

In case you needed motivation and good reason to get your #COVID19 vaccine, once NM gets to 60% full vaccination our state will reopen 100%. Get your appointment here: www.vaccineNM.org

As we continue to administer vaccines, we are weeks away from 60% of eligible New Mexicans being fully vaccinated, at which point the state will be able to safely graduate from the statewide map framework.

New Mexico has consistently led the nation in efficient vaccinations, and because of New Mexicans' hard work, we will be the first state guided by vaccination rates in safely and fully reopening.

Don't let your guard down just yet – but be proud, be encouraged, and get vaccinated!

Schedule your vaccine today: www.vaccineNM.org

04/28/2021

¡Adivina qué! Hay una elección especial para elegir al próximo Representante de los Estados Unidos para el Distrito 1 del Congreso. Esta elección es tan importante como todas las elecciones. Esta es su oportunidad de asegurarse de que su voz sea escuchada para tener representación en los asuntos que le importan a usted y a su familia. Estas son las cosas que necesita saber y recordar: #NMCD1 #ElectionsMatter #nmpol

04/28/2021

A National Black Climate Agenda - The Red Black and Green New Deal

The #RedBlackGreenNewDeal puts Black liberation at the center of climate
conversations, policies and solutions, and is an initiative that centers those most impacted by climate change and ensures they are a part of leading, identifying solutions, setting priorities, creating policy agendas, and shifting narratives.

The RBG New Deal joins the Black climate agenda movement in correcting the failures of the climate movement to include Black people. Learn how you can join this fight as well:

At The Movement for Black Lives, we believe all Black people have the right to determine our own futures; where we can earn a decent living, purchase a home, raise a family and live in a safe community with access to reliable, clean and affordable services. We should be able to add our voice to the....

04/28/2021

Heinrich Leads Resolution To Reinstate Methane Standars

Thank you Senator Martin Heinrich for you bold leadership in DC to reinstate power to the EPA to limit methane pollution by oil and gas industry 🙌🏽 #CutMethane #ProtectNM

04/27/2021

Making sure your voice is heard through our elections is an integral part of ensuring our families’ priorities and needs are heard in our nation’s capital. This coming June we have an opportunity to choose our next U.S. Representatives for Congressional District 1. So make sure to get the following details down, make your plan, and go out and make your voice heard through your vote: #NMCD1 #ElectionsMatter #nmpol

04/20/2021

Reclaiming Oil and Gas Wells and Addressing Climate Impacts: State Policy Recommendations - WORC

The longer we wait, the harder this crisis will hit both taxpayers and our climate. WORC’s new publication seeks to address these challenges, NOW. Learn more:

Unplugged oil and gas wells pose a significant threat to our climate, as well as having negative impacts on water, air, and public health and safety. But the inventory of these wells, including orphaned wells, has been growing, not shrinking, … Continued

04/12/2021

Six contenders vie for 1st Congressional District seat

In case you missed this, we are having a special election in Congressional District 1 to replace Deb Haaland who was recently named Secretary of Interior:

Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver announced the candidates in a news release Friday.

04/12/2021

Two New Mexicans named to White House environmental justice panel

“I want my people to be able to thrive,” Begay said. “I want my people to be able to continue their life ways. We can only do that with a safe climate.”

The council, made up of volunteers, was formed as part of President Joe Biden's Jan. 27 executive order on tackling the climate crisis.

04/08/2021

New Mexico governor signs Civil Rights Act

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed a new law allowing residents to sue government agencies in state courts over violations of the New Mexico Bill of Rights:

The law will allow residents to sure government agencies in state courts over rights violations.

04/08/2021

New Mexico one of few states to pass pro-reproductive rights legislation this year

With more than 500 pieces of anti-abortion legislation under consideration in state legislatures around the country, New Mexico’s passage of SB 10, which decriminalized abortion, bucked the nationwide trend:

With more than 500 pieces of anti-abortion legislation under consideration in state legislatures around the country, New Mexico’s passage of SB 10, which decriminalized abortion, bucked the nationw…

04/08/2021

A nearly 300-megawatt wind farm is in the works in Quay and Curry counties

The developer of a nearly 300-megawatt wind farm is seeking location approval from the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission. The wind farm will be located primarily on private property and agreements with the landowners have already been secured. Those landowners will receive annual payments throughout the 30-year life of the wind farm. Grady Martin Wind states that this will put money directly into the hands of Curry and Quay county residents, thus bolstering the economy:

03/30/2021

Extractive industries disproportionately impact the working class and communities of color. We need jobs that don’t hurt our health or environment!

Join us for our virtual THRIVE rally on 3/31. RSVP here: https://www.mobilize.us/nm-wfp/event/378815/?utm_source=CCP

#NMProspera #JobsAndCare

Extractive industries disproportionately impact the working class and communities of color. We need jobs that don’t hurt our health or environment!

Join us for our virtual THRIVE rally on 3/31. RSVP here: https://www.mobilize.us/nm-wfp/event/378815/?utm_source=CCP

#NMProspera #JobsAndCare

03/29/2021

New Mexico can’t afford to wait. We know it’s #TimeToThrive and we want #JobsAndCare that provide:
⚖️ A fair transition for workers and communities in desperate need for economic recovery

Join us on 3/31 for a virtual rally: https://www.mobilize.us/nm-wfp/event/378815/ #NMProspera

New Mexico can’t afford to wait. We know it’s #TimeToThrive and we want #JobsAndCare that provide:
⚖️ A fair transition for workers and communities in desperate need for economic recovery

Join us on 3/31 for a virtual rally: https://www.mobilize.us/nm-wfp/event/378815/ #NMProspera

03/26/2021

Nuevo Mexico Prospera THRIVE Rally · New Mexico Working Families Party

Extractive industries disproportionately impact the working class and communities of color. We need jobs that don’t hurt our health or environment! Join us for our virtual THRIVE rally on 3/31. RSVP here: https://www.mobilize.us/nm-wfp/event/378815/ #NMProspera #JobsAndCare

Join representatives of New Mexico’s federal delegation, state officials, community members, activists, and allies for a virtual rally to launch the Nuevo Mexico Prospera campaign in support of the THRIVE Act on March 31, 2021 at 6:30pm. The event will have Spanish interpretation. Únase a represe...

03/02/2021

Paid Sick Leave Rally · New Mexico Working Families Party

HB20–the proposal to implement a statewide paid sick leave policy is making its way to the governor’s desk. We need your help to make sure this bill continues to move forward. So make sure to join us this afternoon to be part of our this campaign:

Join workers, community members, union members and allies for a virtual rally with State Legislators on March 2nd at 6:30pm to discuss why hard working New Mexicans need earned paid sick leave. Únete a trabajadores, miembros de la comunidad y aliados en un mitin virtual con legisladores estatales e...

02/15/2021

NM COMMUNITY SOLAR - A Tribal Roundtable (02.15.21)

Make sure to join NM Native Vote Live WEBINAR to learn how community solar legislation #HB84 & #SB84 helps Tribal Nations and community members on the pathway to energy sovereignty.

A #communitysolar program allows Tribes to build a solar array on their land to offset energy costs, while supporting a local renewable energy source.

01/29/2021

Climate Solutions Act Seeks to Build Sustainable Economy - The Paper.

The Climate Solutions Act combines ambitious, science-based goals to reduce climate pollution with new economic strategies that will ensure all New Mexicans thrive in a healthier and more prosperous future.

Thank you New Mexico State New Mexico State Representative Angelica Rubio, Melanie for NM & Brian Egolf - Speaker of the New Mexico House of Representatives for your leadership:

Hot on the tail of President Joe Biden's announcement of climate change goals, the Climate Solutions Act has been filed in the New Mexico Legislature.

01/29/2021

Climate Solutions Act - Community Briefing

It’s finally here! The Climate Solutions Act sponsored by Rep. Rubio & Rep. Stansbury is NM’s first step towards a #JustTransition ensuring every New Mexican–regardless of class or background–has a fair chance to be part of the new clean energy economy.

#HB9 combines ambitious, science-based goals to reduce climate pollution with new economic strategies that will ensure all New Mexicans thrive in a healthier and more prosperous future.

01/22/2021

New Mexico Civil Rights bill could end qualified immunity as a civil defense

Qualified immunity prevents a lawsuit because a preceding court case against a public official must be virtually identical to the one under consideration in order for a suit to be brought. A broken system in other words...

01/22/2021

NM public bank proposal gains momentum

Given New Mexico’s struggles attracting and retaining investment dollars, legislators are considering an unorthodox solution: establishing a statewide public bank:

Given New Mexico's struggles attracting and retaining investment dollars, legislators ...

01/22/2021

Repeal of anti-abortion law among first orders of business for New Mexico lawmakers

Lawmakers will begin debating what could be one of the most controversial measures of the 60-day session: the proposed repeal of an antiquated 1969 law that makes it a crime to perform an abortion in the state.

The proposed repeal, Senate Bill 10, is the first bill the state Senate's Health and Public Affairs Committee will consider Monday.

01/21/2021

Multiple cannabis legalization bills expected during the NM Legislative session

The 2021 Legislature is set to weigh the pros and cons of recreational-use cannabis legalization in New Mexico:

01/20/2021

OPINION | Loan rate cap of 36% is needed in NM

During this time of financial crisis for so many New Mexico families, New Mexico’s elected leaders need to stop predatory lenders from charging exploitative interest rates and draining scarce dollars out of our communities:

OPINION | All New Mexicans deserve access to fair loans. But right now, in the middle of a financial crisis, 5 ...

01/20/2021

These New Mexico lawmakers were named to head legislative committees

Trying to figure out who was appointed to head committees during the 2021 NMLEG; here's a good place to start:

Sen. George Muñoz, D-Gallup, has been named chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, replacing longtime leader John Arthur Smith.

01/20/2021

State regulators tackling cancer-causing pollution by military

The state Environment Department is stepping up efforts to prevent a cancer-causing pollutant from being discharged into NM waters:

Two prime sources of carcinogenic pollution are Cannon and Holloman Air Force bases, located in Clovis and Alamogordo, respectively.

01/19/2021

Report: Education funding changes could help Native students

A report released Monday makes several recommendations to help close the educational achievement gap for Native American students in NM. Recommendations include: 1. asking the Legislature to reduce or eliminate the so-called Impact Aid credit from the state’s public education funding formula; 2. freeing up the money for affected school districts to spend on evidence-based interventions:

The funding formula has created clashes, as well as litigation, between school districts and the state.

01/19/2021

House - Chamber Meeting

Today is the opening day for the 2021 NM Legislative Session. Make sure to tune-in @ 12 pm to watch the opening session to the next 60 days that will help define the future of our state and the wellbeing of our families:

Meeting in House Chamber

01/18/2021

“Here is the true meaning and value of compassion and nonviolence, when it helps us to see the enemy’s point of view, to hear his questions, to know his assessment of ourselves. For from his view we may indeed see the basic weaknesses of our own condition, and if we are mature, we may learn and grow and profit from the wisdom of the brothers who are called the opposition.” - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. #MLKDay2021 #MLKDay

“Here is the true meaning and value of compassion and nonviolence, when it helps us to see the enemy’s point of view, to hear his questions, to know his assessment of ourselves. For from his view we may indeed see the basic weaknesses of our own condition, and if we are mature, we may learn and grow and profit from the wisdom of the brothers who are called the opposition.” - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. #MLKDay2021 #MLKDay

01/16/2021

Environmental bills coming in the 2021 legislative session

With just one week away from the 2021 session, state legislators have prefiled over 120 bills. Here’s a glimpse of some of the environment-focused bills that are worth noting:

With just one week away from the 2021 session, state legislators have prefiled over 120 bills. Here’s a glimpse of some of the environment-focused bills we’ll be watching.  The Green Amendment…