Decrying the near-impossibility of homeownership for many educators, two Democratic members of Congress have introduced legislation designed to help bring that goal within reach. U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich announced the bill Monday during a meeting with educators in Albuquerque. U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell of California has introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives. The […]
Congress & Federal Gov.
Lujan Grisham and other Western governors call on Congress to expand compensation for downwinders
This story is republished from Utah News Dispatch as a part of our commitment to bringing you the best in independent news coverage that matters to Albuquerque. BY KYLE DUNPHEY / UTAH NEWS DISPATCH A letter signed by New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is garnering more support from several other Western governors calling on Congress […]
Reps. Stansbury and Vasquez celebrate $16.3M in homelessness funding
More than a dozen nonprofit and city leaders who work in homelessness and housing services across the state met in Albuquerque on Tuesday to mark an infusion of $16.3 million in federal funds for its programs. A roundtable event at Cuidando Los Niños featured U.S. Reps. Melanie Stansbury and Gabe Vasquez, part of the New […]
That Was Then
Andy Lyman, The Paper. Despite Election Day being about 7 months away, the work of some internet sleuths has already caused waves in New Mexico political circles. In a high-profile congressional race, abortion is quickly becoming one of the major focuses, partly thanks to a 4-year-old video of one of the candidates. In the video […]
Heinrich Reflects on Biden Land Protection Rules and Years of Work in DC to Protect Buffalo Tract
The Biden administration’s decision this week to withdraw thousands of acres of federal public lands from development came as a welcome surprise to residents of Placitas, Bernalillo and local communities who have advocated White House or congressional action to protect the historic Buffalo Tract area from mining. The administration’s announcement was important enough to earn […]
Oil and gas companies must pay more to drill on federal lands under new Biden administration rule
By MATTHEW DALY Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Oil and gas companies will have to pay more to drill on federal lands and satisfy stronger requirements to clean up old or abandoned wells under a final rule issued Friday by the Biden administration. The Interior Department’s rule raises royalty rates for oil drilling by more […]
Biden admin will require thousands more gun dealers to run background checks on buyers
By ALANNA DURKIN RICHER and COLLEEN LONG Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Thousands more firearms dealers across the United States will have to run background checks on buyers at gun shows or other places outside brick-and-mortar stores, according to a Biden administration rule that will soon go into effect. The rule aims to close a […]
Senator co-sponsors legislation to protect NM communities from “forever chemicals”
U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich announced today that he has co-sponsored new legislation called the Healthy H2O Act to protect New Mexico communities from dangerous contaminants like PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals.” This directly follows the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s announcement of the first-ever national, legally enforceable drinking water standard that will reduce Americans’ […]
U.S. Senate spending panel calls for extending pay boost for Forest Service firefighters
JACOB FISCHLER /Source New Mexico Members of a U.S. Senate Appropriations subcommittee said at a hearing Wednesday they were focused on keeping pay for wildland firefighters at the higher level set in a 2021 law and urged Forest Service Chief Randy Moore to focus on ways to maintain a healthy timber industry. Senate Interior-Environment Subcommittee Chair […]
Biden administration sets first-ever limits on ‘forever chemicals’ in drinking water
By MICHAEL PHILLIS Associated Press The Biden administration on Wednesday finalized strict limits on certain so-called “forever chemicals” in drinking water that will require utilities to reduce them to the lowest level they can be reliably measured. Officials say this will reduce exposure for 100 million people and help prevent thousands of illnesses, including cancers. […]