By Robert Nott, Santa Fe New Mexican |
February 4, 2021
Matt Dahlseid/The New Mexican file photo
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham points to a visual aid that shows the spread of COVID-19 when varying levels of control measures are enacted, during a news conference Monday at the Capitol. Lujan Grisham put in place new restrictions that close down all but essential services in the state. I need you to heed this order, the governor said during the news conference.
State lawmakers in both the House and Senate have groused for months about how Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham employed the power of the executive branch during the COVID-19 crisis, vowing to take up the issue during this year’s 60-day session.
Independents and members of minority parties could ask the Democrat, Republican, or Libertarian parties for a ballot without having to change their registrations.
Legislative Roundup: 45 Days Remaining In Session
SFNM
COVID-19 testing: The news that at least five people working in the state Capitol had tested positive for COVID-19 set off alarms late last week. On Thursday, 114 people showed up at the Capitol for tests. On Friday, 107 did. All those tests came back negative, Raúl E. Burciaga, director of the Legislative Council Service, wrote in an email Monday.
The state Department of Health offers testing on a regular basis to staffers, police officers and members of the media who are in the building regularly during the session.
What, no Algebra 2? A new bill proposing changes to the state’s high school graduation requirements cleared the House Education Committee on a 12-3 vote Monday.
By Robert Nott, Santa Fe New Mexican |
January 28, 2021
The Roundhouse had heartening news Wednesday for a growing number of New Mexico voters who aren’t affiliated with a major political party and would like the state to end a primary election system that excludes them.
Lawmakers on the House of Representatives’ State Government, Elections and Indian Affairs Committee voted 6-3 to advance a bill that would allow all registered voters to cast ballots in primaries.
Under the measure, independent voters and those registered with a minority party could simply request a ballot from one of the major parties, with no requirement to alter the party affiliation on their registration.