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Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
NM Gov vetoes bill creating wildfire suppression and post-wildfire fund, perplexing sponsor
Smoke from the South Fork and Salt fires blots out the sun Tuesday along NM Highway 70 outside of Tilley, NM. (Photo by Danielle Prokop / Source NM) Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham's veto of a bill creating state funds for post-fire recovery and current wildfire suppression 'deeply disappointed' House Bill 191 sponsor Rep. Nathan Small (D-Las Cruces), who is also one of the state budget's main architects. Lujan Grisham said the $12 million the bill authorized didn't provide enough money to even 'put a dent' in post-wildfire recovery. Recovery from South Fork and Salt fires and ensuing floods last year in Ruidoso, for example, will cost more than $200 million, the governor noted in her veto message. Lujan Grisham also wrote that another new fund the bill created, designed to pay for the state's wildfire suppression efforts, had no money in it at all and instead would have relied on federal reimbursements, 'which have only gotten slower in recent months.' Lawmakers approved the HB191 amid concerns about the federal government's capacity to suppress wildfires in New Mexico and elsewhere, thanks to federal funding cuts, and as the state beefs up its own crews of full-time and volunteer wildland firefighters. Also, most of New Mexico is experiencing above-average wildfire potential this month and through the rest of the summer, according to the latest forecasts. 'It's bad': How drought, lack of snowpack and federal cuts could spell wildfire disaster in NM Small, who chairs the House Appropriations and Finance Committee, told Source New Mexico in a statement Monday that the governor's veto was not just disappointing but also surprising given that the governor's office was involved in crafting the legislation. As for her specific objections, Small said the $12 million was a 'starting point' that nonetheless would have 'made a significant difference to New Mexicans who will face the devastating impacts of the next wildfires in our state.' He also noted that while the governor vetoed the bill, she left its accompanying $12 million appropriation intact in the budget. As a result, money will 'now sit unused' instead of helping communities respond and recover from wildfires, he said. 'Unfortunately, New Mexicans will pay the price for the lack of action this year, but my colleagues and I will continue to fight to protect our communities from the catastrophic wildfires that continue to threaten our people, businesses, and lands.' Source has a pending request to the governor's office to respond to Small's comments and will update this story as necessary. State Forester Laura McCarthy, whose agency would have received the post-fire funds defended the concept behind HB191 as a way to budget for wildfire suppression, taking climate change into account and also preserving the governor's ability to issue executive orders to pay for wildfire suppression on a case-by-case basis. But she also agreed with the governor's criticism of the way HB191 created a fire suppression fund without putting any money in it. 'The Governor's veto message made clear that without funding for HB191, creating a wildfire suppression fund that relies on federal reimbursements or payments for state crews when they are on out-of-state assignments, does not set the program up for success,' she said in an emailed statement. NM wildfire outlook above normal for most of state Without the legislation, the state will have to pay for any costs to suppress wildfires this year through the use of executive orders, McCarthy said. The Forestry Division has said that is the wrong way for the state to proactively anticipate and budget for the 'volatile but predictable expense' of wildfire suppression. Executive orders are handled on a case-by-case basis and capped at $750,000 at a time, often requiring multiple orders for the same natural disaster. McCarthy also said recruitment of state wildland firefighters is 'going well,' and the state is anticipating full staffing ahead of increased wildfire activity expected in May and June. Despite the veto, Lujan Grisham noted that she signed Senate Bill 33, which creates guidelines and criteria for a new Wildfire Prepared Program, including grants and certifications for property owners to make structures less prone to wildfire damage. The governor said that bill achieves 'similar objectives' to HB 191. 'I fully support a revamped process to fund both pre- and post-wildfire maintenance,' she said. 'I hope the Legislature will provide a meaningful way to accomplish that goal during the 2026 legislative session.'
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Impasse on tax package extends into New Mexico legislative session's final hours
Sen. Carrie Hamblen (D-Las Cruces) on the Senate floor Wednesday, March 19, 2025. (Danielle Prokop / Source NM) With fewer than 24 hours left in the 2025 session, New Mexico lawmakers on Friday tried to breach a rupture between the House and Senate on a proposed package of tax benefits that would cost $126 million in the coming year and more than a half a billion dollars over the next four years. After one meeting earlier in the day ended in a failure to produce a compromise, lawmakers spent much of Friday in negotiations with the members on finance committees in both chambers. Lawmakers on the panel had said they would reconvene at 4 p.m. However, that time came and went without a meeting; According to Senate majority spokesperson Chris Nordstrum, as of publication, the meeting had been delayed indefinitely, he said, but could happen on Friday night or Saturday morning. The rupture emerged notably during floor debate on Thursday, when the Senate removed the means for paying for the package: a 0.28% tax on oil paired with a reduction in natural gas taxes contained in House Bill 548 and expected to generate $130 million in revenue. The House wouldn't concur with the Senate's changes, requiring negotiations between the chambers. On Friday morning, the conference committee made up of three senators and three representatives met to hammer out the two chambers' differences on the tax package. For a bill to pass out of the concurrence panel, it must receive support from the majority of both chambers, Legislative Finance Committee Chief Economist Ismael Torres explained to the committee. Agreement doesn't have to be unanimous, but at least two senators and two House members must vote in favor of a compromise. In the first round of negotiations, the conference panel agreed to add House Bill 417, which would direct nearly $10 million in liquor excise tax revenue to the Tribal Harms Alleviation Fund rather than the General Fund; and to remove Senate Bill 393, which would have exempted the Ruidoso Downs and Casino — which the June 2024 wildfires in Lincoln and Otero counties impacted — from taxes for the next five years. The bicameral panel tried to put the oil and gas tax changes back into the tax package, but two of the three senators voted against it. Sen. Carrie Hamblen (D-Las Cruces), chair of the Senate Tax, Business and Transportation Committee, told panel members the Senate wants to avoid bringing HB548 back into the package. 'We feel that that would prevent the rest of this from going through,' she said. Rep. Derrick Lente (D-Sandia Pueblo), who chairs House Taxation and Revenue, said HB548 is good tax policy because the oil and gas industry had net profits upwards of $10 billion in 2024. If the Senate isn't willing to create that tax, he said, 'I don't know if we have a path forward, only because I am not in the business — nor would I want to be an advocate for — sacrificing bills to see if we can hold bills hostage or do whatever it takes to raise $130 million.' In response to Lente in the morning meeting, Hamblen said senators do not want to use any bills as a 'sacrificial lamb' to pay for the tax package. 'However, I do have the confidence in the staff who have already started to look at multiple pathways to do that,' Hamblen said. Options to get money into the package remain limited because lawmakers already passed the budget for the upcoming year on Thursday. They could pursue a zombie bill to amend the budget, or pay for the tax package out of reserves, which would require legislative action. They could also find some other revenue source to add to the package, or take some of the tax credits out of the package, Lente said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Interstate health care compact bills in limbo as 60-day session enters homestretch
Mar. 17—SANTA FE — Amid a chronic health care worker shortage, New Mexico lawmakers are weighing proposals to make it easier for licensed out-of-state practitioners to work in the state. A package of bills would, if passed, allow New Mexico to join various interstate medical licensing compacts and streamline the licensing process for physicians. New Mexico is a member of a 40-state nursing compact, but has not joined similar compacts for doctors, physical therapists, dentists, mental health counselors and audiologists. With just five days left in the 60-day legislative session, some medical compact bills have already passed one chamber, but none have as of yet crossed the finish line. Though similar piecemeal bills have stalled in past years, this is the first time advocates are pushing for a comprehensive package to make it through the Legislature. One of the compact bills, House Bill 243, aimed at allowing physicians to apply for an expedited license in member states, was discussed in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday but not voted on. Sen. Joseph Cervantes, D-Las Cruces, the committee's chairman, expressed concern about New Mexico physicians being subject to subpoenas issued in another state. He also referred to as interstate compacts as business ventures, adding, "It looks like a pretty creative way to make a buck." But Cervantes also said he's willing to work with advocates to try to address concerns. "We want to have more doctors in New Mexico and we want to work with you to make that happen," Cervantes said during Monday's meeting. Rep. Marian Matthews, D-Albuquerque, the bill's sponsor, said the hearing broke the ice for the bill and hinted at possible compromise amendments to come. "The committee's identified what's important ... and now we're going to go take a moment and look at it and see if there's a way to move forward," she told the Journal. Another member of the committee, Sen. Katy Duhigg, D-Albuquerque, said in a Monday interview the compact bills often feature problematic language that advocates don't want to change. Duhigg, an attorney, said a proposed social work compact bill came in cleaner than other compact legislation and the amended version that passed through the Senate Judiciary Committee cleaned it up even more. "That is the example of how they should do it. They were reasonable in removing language that was not right for New Mexico, and we passed the compact," she said. She also said it could be very dangerous to let a private commission make laws about what New Mexico does in medical care, pointing to issues like reproductive health care or gender-affirming health care. Dozens of other states joining compacts doesn't unequivocally mean New Mexico should, she said. "If other states think it's cool to let some private organization make their laws for them, OK, but that is no reason for us to do so," Duhigg said. A way to stanch chronic worker shortage? The interstate compacts are aimed at alleviating a longstanding health care provider shortage, especially in rural New Mexico. Despite recent efforts to boost funding for health care training programs at New Mexico colleges and universities, the state had an average shortage of 5,000 health care workers between 2018 and 2013, according to legislative data. Most of New Mexico's neighboring states are already members of five or more of the interstate compacts, according to Think New Mexico, a Santa Fe-based think tank that has advocated for the legislation. Founder and Executive Director Fred Nathan described the health care compacts as the most impactful short-term fix to New Mexico's doctor shortage crisis. "These are bills that the overwhelming number of states have already approved, and we have a dire shortage of health care workers. So it makes sense that these bills should all be passed this session," Nathan said. In a legislative analysis, the state Department of Health concluded that passage of the medical licensure compact would reduce the administrative burden and the time required to become licensed in New Mexico, which could increase available physicians. The DOH analysis also said an increase in primary care providers could reduce the number of emergency department visits in New Mexico by making it easier for patients to access routine care. But while legislation may be advancing through the legislative process, some advocates aren't entirely happy with changes made along the way. Matt Shafer, deputy policy director of the National Center for Interstate Compacts, emailed Cervantes on Monday with concerns that the committee changes to Senate Bill 105, concerning social work licensure compacts, would "prohibit New Mexico from being seated on the compact commission," according to an email shared with the Journal. Kristina Fisher, associate director of Think New Mexico, explained that the national commission can bar states from joining the compacts under the reasoning that, "you can pass what you want, but we can't accept it unless it's substantively the same as what every other state agreed to." She said if the Legislature passes the compact bills, the national commission could vote to add New Mexico to the compacts before the end of the year. Nathan said trial lawyers are often against the compacts because they don't want to expand immunity in lawsuits — language in some of the bills states that officers and employees of the interstate commission are immune from suit and liability. Nathan described trial lawyers' interests as self-serving, not wanting to grant lawsuit immunity, "even if the probability of suing these people is beyond remote." But Duhigg later denied that, saying, "This is not a trial lawyer thing" and some advocates aren't willing to compromise to fix bad language. Nathan said the need for interstate compacts pairs with a need to reform the state's medical malpractice statutes. A bill to limit attorney fees in medical malpractice cases died in its first committee last week. "The issue is not going away, and we're not going away," Nathan said. Fisher added, "And unfortunately, the doctors are going away — and that's what we need to address." Hospital mergers also on lawmakers' minds The House voted Monday to approve a bill, House Bill 586, giving the secretary of the state Health Care Authority the ability to decide whether to approve proposed mergers and acquisitions of hospitals and other health care facilities. "The focus of this is hospitals, and making sure the quality of care and the way we treat our workforce is the same — or better — after this transaction," said House Majority Leader Reena Szczepanski, D-Santa Fe, during Monday's debate New Mexico has the nation's highest percentage of hospitals owned by private equity firms, as 17 of the state's 45 private hospitals are owned by such firms, according to a legislative analysis.
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Bill could make ‘magic mushrooms' a legal treatment option in New Mexico
SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) – So-called 'magic mushrooms' could soon be used to treat patients with certain medical conditions in New Mexico. Bipartisan bill SB 219 which would legalize psilocybin has been moving quickly through the legislative session. Story continues below DWI Scandal: Another BCSO deputy placed on leave in connection to DWI dismissals Entertainment: Visit these 10 iconic film locations in New Mexico Events: What's happening around New Mexico March 14-20 The bill is meant to help people suffering from conditions like PTSD and severe depression. Although the idea is controversial, on Monday it received a lot of support. 'This is another option, that's all this is. It's another option but New Mexicans deserve to have this option,' said Sen. Jeff Steinborn (D-Las Cruces). Giving New Mexicans more ways to improve their health when other traditional medical treatments haven't worked, is what Sen. Steinborn said his bill to legalize psilocybin, the active ingredient in psychedelic mushrooms, is meant to do. 'We have New Mexicans who are suffering with various conditions that are really kind of end runs in some cases, major drug-resistant depression where the pharmaceutical world isn't giving them any relief or they have major major side effects, they need another option,' said Sen. Steinborn. Modeled after programs in Oregon and Colorado, the bipartisan bill would allow the drug to be administered to a patient suffering from conditions including PTSD, severe depression, end-of-life anxiety, and addictions. Patients would be supervised and would only need the treatment once or twice. Lawmakers emphasized this would be for use in medical settings only and would not create psilocybin dispensaries. Supporters spoke during the bill's last committee hearing on Monday. 'By creating a structured regulated program for psilocybin treatment, this bill ensures that patients in New Mexico can safely and legally access the miraculous benefits under medical supervision,' said Denali Wilson, supporter of the bill. 'My psychiatrist had me try psilocybin-assisted therapy, my depression is now completely cured and my life has been saved so I ask you to please support this bill,' said a supporter named Molly who underwent psilocybin treatment. Some committee members expressed concerns about potential negative side effects but sponsors say the risks are low. 'It's a medicine of the mind in a way that has physical manifestations and sure it can be intense and a very very small amount of people could need extra deescalation or whatever from the experience, but by and large the outcome is very safe,' said Sen. Steinborn. The bill passed 8-1 in committee. It now heads to the House floor. If it passes there, it will head to the governor's desk. There are only five days left of the legislative session. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Resolution to eliminate education cabinet secretary position advances
Sen. Bill Soules (D-Las Cruces) chairs the Senate Education Committee. (Photo by Leah Romero / Source NM) A proposal to amend the New Mexico Constitution and reconfigure public education governance passed the Senate Education Committee Friday and advances to the Senate Finance Committee. Senate Joint Resolution 3, sponsored by Sen. Bill Soules (D-Las Cruces), chair of the Senate Education Committee, received a do-pass by a vote of 7-2 by committee members. The Senate Rules Committee previously advanced the bill without recommendation. The resolution proposes amending the state Constitution to shift oversight of the Public Education Department from a governor-appointed cabinet secretary to a superintendent of public schools hired by a public schools board. If the resolution passes, it will be up to voters to decide during the next general election. Soules pointed out to committee members Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham's administration has had five public education cabinet secretaries thus far. 'Education needs consistent leadership at the top,' he said during the meeting. The Senate Education Committee adopted an amendment to SJR 3 Friday, to make sure there is still a separate Public Education Commission in place to authorize charter schools in the state. The state school board would be made up of 10 elected members and five appointed by the governor. They would determine department policies and appoint a superintendent. The proposed structure is how governance was organized up until former Gov. Bill Richardson's administration, when voters approved a constitutional amendment creating a cabinet-level position to lead the Public Education Department. Former Sen. Steven Neville (R-Aztec) and President Pro Tempore Mimi Stewart (D-Albuquerque) introduced a similar resolution in 2023, which passed the Senate but died before a House vote. Representatives from the New Mexico School Board Association, New Mexico Coalition of Educational Leaders, New Mexico School Superintendents, Albuquerque Teacher Federation and a current Public Education Commissioner all spoke in favor of the resolution. 'It's very important that a superintendent go beyond three years in order to enact change within his district. It's no different at the state level. Matter of fact, it's very much more important,' Martin Madrid, president of the New Mexico School Superintendents Association, said during the meeting. 'In my short tenure as the president since June, I've had to build a relationship with two separate secretaries.' Members of NewMexicoKidsCAN, the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, New Mexico Chamber of Commerce, Think New Mexico and Teach Plus New Mexico voiced their opposition to changing the governance of public education in the state as a way to address shortcomings in student performance. 'I worry it will include more chaos as we make all of these transitions,' Amanda Aragon, executive director of NewMexicoKidsCAN, said. 'I think you need look no further than the local school board elections in your own districts to know that school board elections are becoming really, really political.' Mariana Padilla, secretary designate of the Public Education Department, also voiced her opposition to the bill, noting that the time and resources it will take to restructure the department 'would be much better spent on focusing on the educational initiatives and needs of our students and our educators.' 'There is no body of research that indicates that a state school board structure is a better governance structure,' Padilla told committee members. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
