Santa Fe Schools To Enforce Vaccination Mandate For Measles – The Associated Press and Santa Fe New Mexican
Santa Fe public school students without up-to-date measles vaccinations or valid waivers for medical or religious reasons won't be able to attend classes starting Feb. 17.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reports that the district's stricter enforcement of state requirements for student vaccinations comes at a time when measles has been reported recently in other states.
A New Mexico baby who did not receive a measles vaccination was confirmed to have the highly infectious disease in December. The baby was hospitalized and recovered.
School board President Steven Carillo says the district has mailed out notices and that affected families also have received automated phone calls.
Carrillo says the school board decided in January to step up enforcement.
Zero Turnout In School Election; Officials Weigh Next Move - The Associated Press & The Roswell Daily Record
The rural southeastern New Mexico town of Hagerman held an uncontested election for three school board seats, but nobody voted. Now what?
The Roswell Daily Record reports that's what officials are trying to determine.
Chaves County Clerk Dave Kunko said the three candidates needed at least one vote each to be elected. And Kunko said because they aren't incumbents they don't remain in office automatically absent a replacement being elected.
Kunko said he's received legal advice to have the current school board appoint the three candidates for the positions that were up for election.
Hagerman Schools Superintendent Ricky Williams said he'd prefer to have the three candidates declared the winners because none were challenged.
Williams said the school board will consider the matter Feb. 23 during its next meeting.
New Mexico Bill Seeks Late-Term Abortion Ban, Parent Notice – The Associated Press
Republican lawmakers in New Mexico have filed bills to ban late-term abortions and to require minors' parents to be notified within 48 hours before terminating a pregnancy.
The bills filed Friday come less than a month after Roman Catholic bishops urged lawmakers to enact new abortion laws this legislative session with the GOP in control of the House for the first time in decades. Democrats remain in control of the Senate.
Several Democrats also have signed on to support the bills.
The House Republican leadership says the late-term abortion ban is designed to bring New Mexico in line with 42 other states by restricting abortions after five months.
Both pieces of legislation include exceptions in cases of rape, incest, sexual abuse and when the woman's life is in danger.
Heated Rhetoric Being Tossed Out At New Mexico Legislature - The Associated Press
One lawmaker compared the repeal of a New Mexico immigrant driver's license law to the Holocaust. A state senator said the appointment of a new child welfare leader was "a slap in the face" — to abused children.
Despite initial calls for bipartisanship, the opening days of a divided New Mexico Legislature have seen its fair share of heated rhetoric. Lawmakers have linked immigrants to terrorist. Others say their opponents are pushing Jim Crow-style segregation laws.
Experts say these rhetorical bombs help lawmakers later raise money during campaigns.
Richard Pineda, a communications professor at the University of Texas at El Paso, says the outlandish language in legislative debates also speaks to lawmakers' political bases and doesn't help with the business of governing.
Republicans control the House while Democrats control the Senate.
New Mexico House Panel Eyes Marijuana Legalization Bill - The Associated Press
A New Mexico House panel is set to discuss a proposal that would legalize marijuana in the state.
The House Agriculture, Water and Wildlife Committee is scheduled Friday to discuss a bill sponsored by Rep. Bill McCamley.
The Mesilla Park Democrat wants to allow the state to license marijuana producers to grew and sell the drug to adults.
The move comes after a proposal to let New Mexico voters decide whether to legalize recreational marijuana stalled in a Senate committee last year. That proposal would have made it legal for adults 21 and over to possess and use marijuana. It would have been left to the Legislature to later establish a system for regulating and taxing marijuana.
Gov. Susana Martinez has said she opposes marijuana legalization in New Mexico.
Former New Mexico Lt. Gov. Mike Runnels Dies At Age 69 - The Associated Press
Former New Mexico Lt. Gov. Mike Runnels has died at age 69.
Runnels' family said he died peacefully at home in Ruidoso. Matthew Runnels said his brother was found Thursday on the couch with his arms folded with the television on.
Runnels was a Democrat who was elected lieutenant governor in 1982. He served one four-year term along with Governor Toney Anaya.
He later was twice elected district attorney for the judicial district that is comprised of Valencia, Cibola and Sandoval counties. Before becoming lieutenant governor, he served on the Santa Fe City Council.
Runnels was the son of Harold Runnels, a former New Mexico congressman, and Mike Runnels ran unsuccessfully for Congress himself.
Survivors include Runnels' mother, Dorothy Runnels.