Latest news with #NewMexicoChildrenYouthandFamiliesDepartment
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Tension among governor and New Mexico lawmakers as end of legislative session nears
SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) – With just hours left in the legislative session, sparks are flying between Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and lawmakers, over some of the session's high-profile priorities. The governor blasted the legislature and the Attorney General over their approach to fixing the troubled New Mexico Children Youth and Families Department. Meanwhile, lawmakers have run out of time to agree on legislation, aimed at dealing with kids who commit crimes. On Friday, the governor signed a bipartisan bill, HB 5, reforming CYFD. Although she said it wasn't the solution she wanted, the attorney general says it's a big step in the right direction. Story continues below NM Film: ABQ City Council votes to let plans move forward for film studio Crime: Man accused of orchestrating shootings at lawmakers' homes found guilty Weather: Warmer weather on first day of spring for New Mexico Don't Miss: How has Albuquerque's housing market changed over the years? 'Legislators have been exhausted by the excuses, exhausted by repeatedly hearing from different cabinet secretaries about their intention to try to make improvements there. I think its an important step one that will hopefully take us to a place where kids in state custody are better protected,' said New Mexico Attorney General, Raúl Torrez. The governor signed into law the bill creating 'Office of the Child Advocate,' a public agency responsible for investigating complaints against CYFD. It would also be able to refer cases to the Attorney General for prosecution, something that the governor expressed opposition to in a letter to lawmakers saying, that having the AG's office involved 'weaponized' the office against CYFD and that it was 'a thinly-disguised vendetta' by the legislature against the governor. Juvenile crime reform was also a big topic this session, but the last bill left on the issue, HB 255, failed to pass the Senate floor Thursday night with lawmakers disagreeing over how much to strengthen penalties, versus creating more support systems, sparking a heated reaction from sponsor Senator Moe Maestas (D-Albuquerque). 'We have to represent the consciousness of this state and not hang our hat on one provision of a 31-page bill that is the epitome of compromise,' said Sen. Maestas. Other bills on their way to the governor's desk include a proposal to let districts decide the number of days in a school year, HB 65, and a bill requiring districts to create rules for student cell phone use in schools, SB 11. Lawmakers also passed bills aimed at helping communities affected by wildfires, including the Wildfire Prevention Act, SB 33, which focuses on tree thinning and creating buffer zones to protect homes. And a bill offering zero-interest loans to communities for recovery. A hotly debated topic on the House floor Friday afternoon was whether to allow voters not affiliated with a major political party to vote in the party primary of their choice. That bill, SB 16, passed 36-33. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Child protection experts: Pay foster families more
George Davis, a child psychiatrist and former employee of the New Mexico Children Youth and Families Department, departs from the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (Photo by Austin Fisher / Source NM) New laws or more money for New Mexico's beleaguered children protection agency will not improve the lives of foster children, two experts told a powerful legislative panel on Wednesday. They did however, seem to agree that money for foster families could be one part of the solution. Mike Hart, the attorney who initially took the state government to court over its failed foster care system, and George Davis, a child psychiatrist, spent two hours with the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday afternoon discussing what they called 'the hardest job in state government': being a caseworker for foster children. There are 2,067 children in custody of the state Children, Youth and Families Department, said Davis, who is also a former department employee. Davis said what stands in the way of a properly functioning agency are three interrelated problems: inadequate staffing, a lack of foster families where children can be placed and a lack of services for those foster families. 'We know what has to be done. It's not a new law,' Hart said. 'The department needs to be supported.' In her State of the State address on Jan. 21, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said she will back exempting foster families and grandparents raising grandchildren from personal income tax and push to double their stipends up to $900 more dollars monthly. Davis said the governor's idea would make it easier to inspire and recruit more foster families. Hart suggested public service announcements encouraging New Mexicans to become foster parents. Davis also pointed to a model in Utah where the state government created a nonprofit for the sole purpose of recruiting and supporting foster families. Cox calls on Utahns to consider foster care amid biggest shortage of licensed families in decades Committee Chair Sen. Joseph Cervantes (D-Las Cruces) said when he heard the governor's address, he spoke with her staff who told him on Tuesday they are in the process of writing legislation to reform CYFD. Cervantes said he is expecting CYFD Cabinet Secretary Theresa Casados to return to the committee soon with draft legislation. Sitting in the audience, Casados nodded in agreement. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
