Latest news with #Bill481
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Why This Family Is Being Forced to Keep a Pregnant Brain-Dead Woman Alive Will Infuriate You
Three months have passed since a Georgia woman was declared brain dead. But although her family is ready to let her go, one state law is forcing them to keep her on life support. Adriana Smith started complaining of severe headaches in February, according to her mother. She soon sought medical treatment at Northside Hospital, and was released with medication. 'They didn't do any tests. No CT scan,' April Newkirk, Smith's mother, told 11Alive. 'If they had done that or kept her overnight, they would have caught it. It could have been prevented.' The next morning, Smith's boyfriend woke up to her making gargling sounds and gasping for air in her sleep. She was only nine weeks pregnant, but after being rushed to the hospital, doctors said there was nothing they could do. 'They asked me if I would agree to a procedure to relieve the pressure, and I said yes,' her mother said. 'Then they called me back and said they couldn't do it.' Eventually, Smith was transferred to Emory University Hospital, where she worked as a nurse, according to reports. As of May 15, it's been over three months since the 30-year-old woman was put on life support. 'She's been breathing through machines for more than 90 days,' Newkirk continued. 'It's torture for me. I see my daughter breathing, but she's not there.' Smith is a mother to a young son who believes his mother is just 'sleeping.' Now, Smith is 21 weeks pregnant, and according to Georgia's heartbeat bill, she cannot be taken off of life support until she gives birth through cesarean section. Georgia House Bill 481, the anti-abortion bill passed in 2019, prevents an abortion after a fetus' heartbeat is detected, usually around six weeks. The law makes exceptions for rape, incest or if the mother's life is in danger, which Smith's case doesn't technically fall in. Her medical team is legally obligated to keep her alive until the fetus reaches viability. They are also not allowed to explore any other medical options. 'I think every woman should have the right to make their own decision,' Newkirk told 11 Alive. 'And if not, then their partner or their parents.' To matters even worse, because Smith is brain dead, there's no way to fully understand the condition of her future son. 'She's pregnant with my grandson. But he may be blind, may not be able to walk, may not survive once he's born,' her mother said. She went on to say doctors told her the fetus has fluid on the brain but they're not sure how much. Smith is just one of many women impacted by anti-abortion laws across the country. A Texas woman was recently forced to carry her daughter to term despite the child have anencephaly, a fatal condition preventing a child's brain and skull from forming properly, according to CNN. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
‘Got milk?' Pennsylvania milk delivery restrictions may be a thing of the past
PENNSYLVANIA (WTAJ) — The Pennsylvania Senate has passed legislation that will ensure that milk transportation is uninterrupted during bad weather and declared emergencies. The Milk Hauler Exemption Bill would allow haulers to operate during weather-related commercial vehicle driving bans and emergency declarations. Under Senate Bill 481, which was sponsored by Senator Judy Ward (R-30), those haulers would be permitted to move on highways 24 hours a day and seven days a week without restrictions. All drivers would have to do to be exempt from the restriction would be to have a one-time decal issued by the Pennsylvania Milk Board. US health officials seek to phase out artificial dyes from the food supply 'The dairy industry operates around the clock, and cows don't stop producing milk because of bad weather,' Ward said. 'This legislation ensures that our dairy farmers can get their product to market without unnecessary delays, preventing waste and supporting our agricultural economy.' The bill comes after concerns by local dairy farmers were raised due to products that had to be discarded. Ward noted that she spoke with farmers who had dumped milk during emergencies because of the driving restrictions. Ward added that she hopes that the bill will allow haulers to make informed decisions while also balancing public safety with the practical needs of the farmers. Get the latest news, weather forecasts and sports stories delivered straight to your inbox! Sign up for our newsletters. The bill had bipartisan support in the Senate and now heads to the House of Representatives. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTAJ -
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Q&A released on potential changes coming to New Mexico State Fairgrounds
Video: Coverage of the fair in 2024. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) — Bernalillo County released an update on the future of New Mexico's state fair Tuesday morning. The new details come after Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham spoke in late 2024 about potentially moving the state fair, and upgrading the fairgrounds. Take a look at the questions and answers provided by Bernalillo County below: The county says this is the State of New Mexico's decision. Full Response: 'It is state-owned land and ultimately the State of New Mexico's decision. The state's General Services Department released a $500,000 request for proposal (RFP) on March 6 for professional consultants to propose a master plan that will form the baseline for determining the area's future, including the location of the fair and any new improvements to the site. The state's General Services Division will select the consultant that will form the master plan.' The state says, 'there is substantial potential to increase the usage of the State Fairgrounds on a year-round basis.' Full Response: 'State Sen. Mimi Stewart (D-Albuquerque), whose district includes the State Fairgrounds, also has advocated significant revitalization of the area to include 'a mixed-use, mixed-income, walkable, green space-filled neighborhood.' She sponsored Senate Bill 481, which passed both the state House and Senate during the just-ended legislative session and is awaiting the governor's signature. If signed into law, it will create a State Fairgrounds District and form a mechanism to finance redevelopment in the area, based on the findings in the master planning process.' This bill, sponsored by state Sen. Mimi Stewart, forms the 'State Fair District.' Full Response: 'This district would encompass the existing fairgrounds and any contiguous land acquired subsequently, aiming to revitalize the area through economic development initiatives. The bill includes provisions for a property tax levy and authorizes the issuance of up to $500 million in bonds to finance infrastructure projects within the district. SB 481 names the district board members as the following seven elected officials or their designees: the governor; the state senator, state representative, county commissioner and city councilor from the area; the mayor and a representative community member selected by the governor. This board will appropriate funding for the district.' The Expo site is in Bernalillo County, as opposed to Albuquerque. Full Response: While the land is owned by the state, the Expo New Mexico site is technically not in the City of Albuquerque but in the unincorporated area of Bernalillo County. For any private development on the land, developers could seek permitting either through the city or the county. Request-for-proposal submissions are due April 18. Full Response: 'They will be reviewed and scored by a committee selected by the state's General Services Department. The contract is scheduled to be awarded by May 9, per the state website.' Bernalillo County is not aware of a specified location at this time. Full Response: 'The state approved the governor's capital outlay request for funding in House Bill 450 in the amount of $14 million for 'EXPO NM Fairgrounds Infrastructure Improvements and site acquisition.' Bernalillo County, however, is not aware of a named location or vision for the future of the annual State Fair.' It would allow some tax revenue to stay in the district for developing infrastructure. Full Response: 'The district would allow for certain tax revenue (state GRT, gaming revenue, and property tax) from the defined 'district' – in this case, the area of the current fairgrounds – to stay in the district to finance its infrastructure development – such as for roads, water/sewer and community facilities. The district would need the approval of the state Board of Finance, New Mexico Finance Authority and the state Legislature to issue bonds, which then could expedite development. District funds would be controlled by a specially created body of elected officials or their designees.' Those chances will be announced once a master-plan developer is chosen. Full Response: 'Further opportunities will be scheduled after a master-plan developer is selected and can field questions in the setting of a public meeting. The potential contractors have been encouraged to consider data-driven economic analysis and community engagement in forming the master plan.' A finalized plan is expected to be available by early 2026. Full Response: 'Upon selection of a developer for the master plan in May, public engagement, including in-person public meetings, will follow through the summer. A draft of the master plan is expected by fall, and a finalized plan should be available no later than early 2026. A budget and construction timeline then would be determined by the District Board.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bill that could create funding tool for fairground redevelopment passes first committee
Mar. 12—A bill introducing a new financial tool to fund the possible redevelopment of the State Fairgrounds in Albuquerque has passed its first committee. The legislation sponsored by Senate President Pro Tem Mimi Stewart, D-Albuquerque, passed through the Senate Tax, Business and Transportation Committee on a 6-3 vote Tuesday and is now slated to go in front of the Senate Finance Committee. The bill, Senate Bill 481, would establish the current fairgrounds location just off Albuquerque's Central Avenue and any additional land nearby the state acquires as the "State Fairgrounds District Fund." The State Fair has taken place at Expo New Mexico since 1938, but in December, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced a plan to flip the fairgrounds into a mixed-use development. "This has the potential to really change a section of our city, very close to my district, that's been troubled for a long time," Sen. Natalie Figueroa, D-Albuquerque, said Tuesday during committee. Figueroa was joined by the other four committee Democrats present Tuesday — Sen. Debbie O'Malley, D-Albuquerque, was not in attendance — and Sen. Gabriel Ramos, R-Silver City, in voting in favor of advancing the bill. The tax committee's other three Republicans — Sens. Nicholas Paul of Alamogordo, Joshua Sanchez of Bosque and William Sharer of Farmington — opposed the bill. In addition to classifying the area as a state district fund, the bill also creates a board to make financial decisions, including the ability to issue revenue bonds of up to $1 billion. But Sharer said the bill does not provide enough oversight for financial decisions. "If we're looking for fraud, waste and abuse, this is where I would start looking," Sharer said. The bill passes at a time when another proposed tool to fund the redevelopment of the fairgrounds is in limbo. Bernalillo County commissioners at the request of the state voted back in January to pass a resolution to establish a Tax Increment Development District, or TIDD, at the site of the fairgrounds and take a vote on it Tuesday — the same day the proposed legislation went in front of lawmakers in Santa Fe. But a contentious public meeting followed that resolution in February, where residents expressed opposition to moving the State Fair, and county leadership pointed the finger at the state for canceling a $500,000 request for proposal to redevelop the area hours before the meeting. On Friday, Bernalillo County announced it would not be taking a vote to establish a TIDD on Tuesday after all. "The county awaits a master plan from the State of New Mexico for public infrastructure for the 236-acre State Fairgrounds before proceeding," county spokesperson Randy Harrison said in a statement. "Once the master plan is completed, the Board of County Commissioners retains the option to present and approve a TIDD." Harrison also said that the state would no longer pursue Senate Bill 482, a bill that would've created the joint TIDD between the county and state that could've authorized up to $1 billion in bonds.
