Latest news with #LegerFernandez
Int'l Business Times
21-05-2025
- Health
- Int'l Business Times
GOP Lawmaker Refuses to Read Their Own 'Tanning Bed Tax Break' Out Loud for Democrat in Congressional Hearing
A Democratic lawmaker challenged Republicans on Capitol Hill over a provision in their sweeping budget bill that repeals the federal excise tax on indoor tanning services. When asked to read the line item during a public hearing Tuesday, Rep. Jason Smith (R-MO) refused. "So that the American public knows what this bill does... Would you please read page 901, line 20?" New Mexico Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez asked Smith. "I think it'd be better if you read it," Smith responded. "Oh, he doesn't want to read it. This is in their bill. They don't want to read a line from their own bill," she said, as the back-and-forth continued. "This is amazing." Rep. Gwen Moore (D-WI) eventually read the provision aloud: "Section 11106: Repeal of excise tax on indoor tanning services." Leger Fernandez contrasted the provision incentivizing tanning bed-ownership with funding cuts to vital services in a critique of GOP priorities. "So if you have a tanning bed, you get a little bit of a tax break," she said. "And if you need a hospital bed in rural America, I'm sorry, you're out of luck." In a more pointed jab, she alluded to President Donald Trump. "There are certain elected officials who appear to have a certain orange hue about them," she quipped, "maybe they want to make sure tanning beds get a little bit of special credit." "Really, we are prioritizing tanning beds over hospital beds in rural America," Leger Fernandez emphasized. The tanning bed tax, originally enacted as part of the Affordable Care Act in 2010, was intended to both raise revenue and discourage use of ultraviolet tanning services due to health risks. The exchange underscored ongoing Democratic criticism that the Republican-led bill favors narrow interests and tax breaks for the wealthy over essential services like rural health care. Originally published on Latin Times
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
NM reps say GOP bill will gut Medicaid and also reduce oil money that could help state save it
An oil well pumps during a snowstorm in the checkerboard region of northwest New Mexico. Proposed reductions in federal oil and gas royalty rates could further hurt New Mexicans covered by Medicaid, state and federal officials said. (Photo by Jerry Redfern / Capital & Main) The 'big, beautiful' bill making its way through the United States House of Representatives this week not only would cut federal spending on healthcare on which 40% of New Mexicans rely, but state and federal officials say it also would reduce revenue the state could use to pay for that healthcare itself. One provision in the 1,116-page spending bill that is making progress in the House would reduce federal oil and gas royalties from 16.75% to 12.5%, undoing a hike Congress and President Joe Biden approved in the Inflation Reduction Act in 2022. Federal law requires 50% of royalties on federal land to be distributed to states in which production took place, which in 2024 meant that New Mexico received $2.88 billion from federal royalties, the biggest share of any state, according to the State Land Office. Reducing the rate back to pre-2022 levels will mean about $480 million less in total royalties the federal government collects between now and 2031, according to the office. In New Mexico, those funds are regularly invested in trust funds the state amasses to pay for services like early childhood education or other programs. U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-N.M.) said in a news conference Friday decrying the bill that the provision amounts to a double-whammy for New Mexico, which relies heavily on oil and gas revenue and is also where Medicaid finances more than half of all births. Republicans are helping oil companies increase their sizable profits while making it harder for New Mexico to pay for healthcare, she said. New Mexico mom, advocates urge Congress to protect safety net programs 'At a time when the Republicans are going to make states pay more for Medicaid, they are taking away the money that New Mexico uses to fund Medicaid,' Leger Fernandez said during a news conference Friday. 'This is why we are so angry about this bill. It is a double impact on New Mexico.' Leger Fernandez cited a May 5 letter Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard wrote to her office that laid out concerns about the Republicans' approach to federal oil and gas extraction. 'As the top recipient of federal mineral leasing distributions, the proposed reduction in the minimum royalty rate… will hit New Mexico's working families at a time when other federal funding for essential services is being slashed by the Trump Administration,' Garcia Richard wrote in the letter, which her office provided to Source New Mexico. This legislative session, state lawmakers created a new Medicaid Trust Fund that aims to generate enough in interest to pay for at least some of what the federal government could cut in Medicaid spending. New Mexico has the highest per-capita Medicaid enrollment in the nation, 34%, according to the non-partisan health policy research organization KFF. The state is expected to need $8.9 billion in federal Medicaid funding to support its operations this fiscal year. For perspective, New Mexico's record operating budget for this fiscal year is $10.8 billion. NM budget expert expects Medicaid work requirements out of Congress It's not entirely clear, however, how money in federal oil and gas royalties would make its way into the Medicaid Trust Fund that lawmakers created for the New Mexico Treasurer's Office to oversee. The bill creating the fund does not specify, saying only that the fund 'consists of distributions, appropriations, gifts, grants and donations.' State Land Office spokesperson Joey Keefe referred comment to the State Treasurer's Office. A spokesperson there did not immediately respond to a request for that information Monday morning. In addition to her concerns about the lost federal royalties, Garcia Richard noted that the bill would require the federal government to lease land for oil and gas extraction to companies, even if it's not in the best interest of taxpayers, by requiring quarterly lease sales, sometimes without competitive bids. 'By enabling companies to get leases directly without a competitive auction and by requiring that an arbitrary percentage of lands [be] offered at quarterly lease sales, the federal government (and the states that share in this revenue) will receive less value than they should for the parcels,' Garcia Richard wrote. She urged Leger Fernandez and other members of the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee to vote against the proposal. Despite her effort, the committee voted to advance the bill two days later.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Lawmakers look to protect the Pecos Watershed from new mining operations
PECOS, N.M. (KRQE) – The Trump Administration's move to reopen northern New Mexico forest land for mining has the state's federal delegation pushing back. The state leaders worry that mining will threaten the pristine Pecos Watershed. 'We need to remember the headwaters of the Pecos provides life-giving water all the way through the Pecos, down through the village of Villanueva where my family is from, all the way to Texas. These are pristine waters,' said Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-Santa Fe, Congressional Dist. 3). The latest fight from New Mexico's congressional delegation aims to protect the Pecos as they reintroduce the Pecos Watershed Protection Act. The federal legislation looks to stop mining around the northern New Mexico river. Middle schoolers invited to hands-on outdoor adventure exploring Bosque wildlife 'They would prevent any destructive activity and not just in the area but also the flow downstream from any damage,' said Rep. Anita Gonzales (D-San Miguel, Torrance Counties). The legislation comes after the Trump Administration's recent decision to reverse the Bureau of Land Management's and the U.S. Forest Service's protections of the Upper Pecos Watershed from new mining operations. The reversal reopens mining opportunities on federal lands. Opponents on Monday said rural communities want to protect the river because farmers, recreationists, and others rely on it. 'The water is important because it is both the source of their drinking water and it is the source of the water that floods their fields in the springtime,' said Rep. Leger Fernandez. Travel + Leisure rates New Mexico spot as most beautiful Lawmakers have been trying to get the act passed since 2020 in each Congress, recalling the 1991 toxic waste spill from a closed mine, which caused a massive fish kill. 'We do not want that contamination again. We have lived through what mining can do to the waters of the Pecos, and we want to prevent that,' added Rep. Leger Fernandez. The Trump Administration hasn't said yet if the feds are working on any new mining agreements near the Pecos. However, a company has shown interest in years past for an exploratory mining project in the area. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Boston Globe
05-03-2025
- Politics
- Boston Globe
Democrats wore pink, and other fashion statements at Trump's speech
Advertisement At several high-profile political events in recent years - such as the Democratic National Convention and the State of the Union address in 2024 - Democratic women have organized to wear white as a show of unity and in homage to the suffragists who won women the right to vote in 1919. Some women in the chamber wore white at the joint-session address on Tuesday night, continuing tradition. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up This time around, the color pink was chosen not just because it's harder to miss or because it's traditionally associated with femininity. 'Pink has been used as a color of protest against Trump,' Leger Fernandez said, referring to the pink hats worn at the inaugural Women's March in 2017. 'Pink has also been used as a color of protest against [Russian President Vladimir] Putin.' Leger Fernandez wore a magenta blazer, a pale pink blouse, a pink belt, pleated pink pants (bought on consignment, a spokeswoman noted) and a button that read, 'Betrayed for Billionaires.' The collective effort among Democratic members of Congress materialized swiftly - and recently. 'Women are flexible and nimble,' Leger Fernandez said with a laugh, hours before the joint session. 'Suitcases were packed. People went to consignment stores. They shared clothes with each other. … We are sharing the color of pink with each other even as we speak.' Some other notable looks are below. Advertisement Marjorie Taylor Greene's hat Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Georgia) wore a red Trump hat into the chamber - not with the traditional 'Make America Great Again' slogan on it, but instead a 'Trump Was Right About Everything!' across the front and a '45-47' on its side. Trump patted it approvingly on his way into the chamber. Democrats' 'no king' shirts A few Democratic members of Congress wore black T-shirts protesting Trump's expansion of his own executive powers. Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-Florida) staged a walkout of the address. The back of his black shirt visibly read, 'NO KINGS LIVE HERE.' Rep. Delia C. Ramirez (D-Illinois), meanwhile, sat in the audience in a shirt that read, 'NO KING. NO COUP.' Blue and yellow for Ukraine Several Democratic members of Congress appeared to signal their continuing support for Ukraine in its war against Russia. At least two blue-and-yellow striped ties were worn: Rep. Paul Tonko (D-New York) paired his with a 'Medicaid Matters' button, while Rep. Jim Costa (D-California) accessorized his with a pin juxtaposing the U.S. and Ukrainian flags. Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-New Hampshire) wore a yellow blouse and blue blazer. Elon Musk in a suit Elon Musk is recognized by President Trump during his speech. Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post The South African billionaire and presidential adviser has lately been photographed wearing T-shirts and baseball caps while visiting Trump in the White House. Musk's cleaned-up look, complete with a navy suit and a royal-blue tie - nary a pair of shades in sight - was a striking contrast to his Washington looks of late. Usha Vance's oversize peach blazer The relaxed shape of this suit is distinctly modern and trendy, not to mention somewhat androgynous - the kind of look a trailblazing female tech CEO might wear, especially with her hair back in an understated bun. At an event where many other Republican women sported their signature bouncy blowout curls, heavy eye makeup and decidedly traditional feminine silhouettes, the second lady looked like she was attending a different event entirely. Advertisement Trump's purple tie President Trump sported a purple tie during his speech in the House. Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post The president's usual red tie is such a mainstay that Trump bobbleheads always sport one, and James Austin Johnson wears one in every SNL sketch in which he plays the president. Trump has been experimenting a little lately, though, reprising this purple-tie look from his inauguration in January. Purple and other combinations of red and blue are often invoked in politics as gestures toward bipartisanship. Trump's address itself, though, made clear this red-and-blue-checked tie was just a tie.
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
New Mexico's federal lawmakers urge unity at the Roundhouse
SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) – On Monday, three New Mexico legislative powerhouses spoke to lawmakers are the Roundhouse not only highlighting the work being done in the nation's capitol but also urging them to work together. 'In our most challenging times, New Mexicans look out for each other,' said New Mexico Senator Martin Heinrich (D). Story continues below Crime: Trial to begin for suspect in shooting death of 11-year-old outside Isotopes Park Jobs: Santa Fe announces living wage increase Don't Miss: ABQ arrest leads to discovery of 4 firearms, about $1 million in drugs In a joint session of the New Mexico legislature at the Roundhouse, Senators Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Lujan (D) alongside Representative Teresa Leger Fernandez (D) encouraged lawmakers to push ahead in unity. 'We want to make things better we want to help kids we want to help our communities sometimes we have a different path to get there,' said Sen. Ben Ray Lujan. 'I need my Republicans in the audience, I need you to join us in saying, we might not want certain things but we don't want our schools to hurt. We want our healthcare,' said Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez. They urged legislators to take action on public safety and behavioral health but also to follow suit in what they say New Mexicans have shown for years. 'I have always been struck by New Mexican's acute understanding of what it means to put individual differences aside in service of the greater good,' said Sen. Heinrich. While they pushed for change in the state, Rep. Leger Fernandez did not shy away on how she believes President Donald Trump's policies will impact New Mexicans. 'The Trump Administration and Republicans in Congress are now seeking to cut the programs that every one of our communities and families rely on,' said Leger Fernandez. That comment comes after President Trump, Elon Musk, and the Department of Government Efficiency or DOGE worked to cut programs like DEI. 'We believe that equity, the idea that everyone should be treated fairly and justly is something we should celebrate that is a goal and we in New Mexico will always fight discrimination,' said Leger Fernandez. When signing the executive order cutting DEI, Trump called it a move to protect equal opportunity and end discriminatory admissions policies at schools. 'Let me be clear, my commitment, my only commitment is to you New Mexico and I will lift up your voices in the most powerful halls of the republic,' said Sen. Heinrich. In response to those speeches, Republican Party of New Mexico Chairwoman Amy Barela said: Senators Ray Lujan and Heinrich, along with Representative Leger Fernandez, love to brag about their so-called achievements, yet many wildfire victims in New Mexico are still homeless and without aid nearly two years later. It's time these politicians give more attention to listening to the cries of our state's families over the noise of their own applause. Republican Party of New Mexico Chairwoman Amy Barela Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
