Latest news with #ReenaSzczepanski
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Lawmakers pass new bill to revolutionize access to low-cost energy: 'This will allow our communities to save money'
A newly passed bill in New Mexico is set to make it easier — and more affordable — for communities to access reliable, clean energy. The state House of Representatives recently approved House Bill 128, a bipartisan measure aimed at supporting solar energy projects in rural and tribal areas. The bill would establish the Local Solar Access Fund, with $20 million proposed in the 2025 state budget to help build solar and battery systems on key public buildings like fire stations, community centers, and water utilities, according to the Los Alamos Reporter. If signed into law, the bill would open the door to grant funding for school districts, counties, and tribal governments, helping cut utility costs while strengthening energy resilience by installing solar panels. The program is designed to prioritize communities that have been historically left out of clean energy upgrades, especially those on tribal lands or facing economic disadvantages. Beyond cutting energy costs and improving access, programs like this also reduce heat-trapping pollution, one of the key drivers of our planet's overheating, by replacing dirty energy sources with clean, locally generated power. New Mexico's approach mirrors a growing national push to ensure that the clean energy transition benefits everyone. Illinois recently approved a new grid modernization plan to support solar panels and battery storage in homes, while Maryland's Climate Solutions Now Act of 2022 helps schools achieve similar savings and energy independence through solar. This kind of investment echoes similar efforts nationwide to help everyday people — not just large companies — benefit from the clean energy shift. These state efforts often work in tandem with national initiatives. The Inflation Reduction Act, for example, offers tax credits for solar panels and battery storage systems that help both households and communities lower their bills and boost climate resilience. Do you think your house could withstand a hurricane? No way Maybe a weak one I'm not sure It definitely could Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. The Environmental Protection Agency has also launched the Solar for All program to help low-income households across the country access clean, reliable energy. "This will allow our communities to save money, reduce their carbon footprint, and equip community centers, water utilities, and fire stations with resilient and stable sources of power," said House Majority Leader Reena Szczepanski, one of the bill's sponsors, in the press release. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
23-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Legislative session ends, what bills made it through?
SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) –The legislative session is officially over and the last few bills to make it over the finish line are on their way to the governor's desk. Bills that passed and failed drew mixed reactions from the governor and lawmakers. More than 1,100 bills were introduced this session; many covering the state's foster care system, crime, and education. With the session closed, nearly 200 of those bills passed, while others stalled. After countless hours of debate, lawmakers have wrapped up the 60-day legislative session – but what made it through? A top priority promised this session included legislation surrounding reforming the New Mexico Children Youth and Families Department (CYFD). A bipartisan House bill creating the Office of the Child Advocate, HB 5, was signed by the governor despite her expressing it wasn't what she wanted. A bi-partisan Senate omnibus package, SB 42, with additional CYFD reforms is headed to her as well. Which bills have been signed by the governor so far? 'New Mexicans have demanded reform at CYFD and we delivered,' said Reena Szczepanski, (D-Santa Fe) Majority Floor Leader. 'This is a huge step forward for children and families across our state that has been many years in the making.' Other accomplishments highlighted by Democratic lawmakers included the passage of a crime package, HB 8, that includes reforms to criminal competency and treatment as well as fentanyl trafficking. They also celebrated the passage of a bill increasing teacher salaries. Although some Republican bills passed, such as SB 11 which requires districts to create rules for student cell phone use in schools. Republican lawmakers shared disappointment over the lack of medical malpractice bills succeeding and the governor's decision to veto a proposal, HB 65, to let districts decide the number of days in a school year. 'I had the full support of the House [on] both sides of the aisle and the people of New Mexico have spoken, the people of the House have spoken, and ultimately, the people of the Senate have spoken,' said Gail Armstrong, (R-Magdalena) Minority Floor Leader. Bill giving student loan relief to some veterinarians heads to governor's desk The governor shared her frustrations on bills related to juvenile crime, after a House bill backed by the Bernalillo County District Attorney's office, HB 134, and a House bi-partisan bill, HB 255, failed. 'The notion that we spent far too little time addressing in any meaningful way juvenile crime and public safety issues in this state is a remarkable failure in so many ways,' said Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. She added lawmakers could be called to a potential special session on the issue of crime. 'Yes, I think the likelihood is far stronger than not which is why in our statement, they should expect it. I don't know how you don't expect it,' said Governor Lujan Grisham. Other bills that passed on Saturday and are headed to the governor's desk include the Trade Ports Development Act, HB 19, which would create designated port districts across the state. For bills passed in the last three days, the governor has thirty days to either sign pocket veto or veto the bill. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Crime package tackling competency issues in courts passes House and Senate
SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) – We are halfway through the legislative session and a major crime package is heading to the governor's desk after passing both the House and the Senate. The main focus of this bill was criminal competency, but some lawmakers argue that the package is not strong enough. 'I want to be clear, our work isn't yet over. But today, we took a very important step forward,' said Speaker of the House Javier Martinez (D) at a press conference held Saturday celebrating the passing of the House Bill 8. Nine major items in the massive crime package are now headed to the governor's desk. 'It reflects the fact that we have listened to the community and made community priorities our priorities,' Rep. Reena Szczepanski (D). Major CYFD bills move through session, department opposes them House Bill 8 has a heavy focus on criminal competency. The bill looks to improve the court system and makes sure that individuals who may be having a mental health crisis when they commit a crime have access to the treatment they need so they are able to stand trial. Part of the competency aspect of this includes establishing a behavioral health trust fund while also earmarking $200 million to expand regional behavioral health services. 'Public safety is not just the people who are victims of crime. In many cases, the people who are committing the crimes, who are suffering from drug addiction, who are suffering from mental health issues, we are going to deliver the help that they need as well,' said Speaker Martinez. The bill also looks at enhancing penalties for fentanyl trafficking and making shooting threats a fourth-degree felony. It also enhances penalties for stolen vehicles, eases DWI blood testing laws, as well as making it a crime to have a device that turns a semi-automatic weapon into a fully automatic one. Billion-dollar transportation bond bill gets greenlight from first legislative committee Though this package was bipartisan legislation, it's still receiving criticism from lawmakers, saying that it does not go far enough. Senate Republicans are unhappy the package passed with no amendments requested by the party: 'House Bill 8 is a small step forward in terms of improving public safety. I am disappointed, though certainly not surprised, that Democrats voted to kill each and every attempt Republicans made to improve this package and hold violent criminals accountable. Democrats continually kill our proposals and bottle up our bills in committee, and yet somehow New Mexico is supposed to believe they are 'addressing crime?' New Mexicans, the Governor, District Attorneys, law enforcement officers, and even criminals see this for what it is: Democrats are all talk and no action on improving public safety. They would rather give lip service to public safety needs than actually address our state's crime epidemic.' Senate Republican Leader Bill Sharer Democrats say there is still time. 'Can we do more? Of course we can do more. That's why we have been working on public safety for seven, eight years now. This is a process. There's not one silver bullet. We've got to rebuild a behavioral health system that was decimated over ten years ago,' said Speaker Martinez in a press conference Saturday. As for the other priorities for the second half of this legislative session? Democrats are saying CYFD is on their radar as well as tackling the state's budget. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New Mexico House Democrats push legislation aimed at addressing rising costs
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – New Mexico lawmakers are introducing several bills this legislative session to address the impact of rising costs in the state. House Democrats said they are doubling down on tax cuts with legislation aimed at lowering the cost of health care, child care, groceries, and the overall cost of living and increasing the money hard-working New Mexicans get to take home. NM lawmakers debate contentious youth crime bill 'The legislation that your House Democrats are putting forward this session includes: raising the minimum pay for school staff and laborer for publically funded projects. Stopping employers from taking credit card fees out of the wages of tipped workers. Preventing junk fees,' said Majority Flood Leader Rep. Reena Szczepanski (D-Santa Fe.) House Democrats are also pushing to expand the working families' tax credits to offset state income tax for New Mexico households. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
