Sen. Luján describes "dizzying" time in Washington

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is trying once again to create an Office of Housing within the executive branch of state government after failing in last year’s legislative session. The legislation is designed to ease restrictions and get projects done quicker, in order to reduce New Mexico’s housing shortage.

Hundreds of people gathered to object to the flurry of executive orders cutting federal spending and targeting diversity initiatives, among other actions.

Nurses were in force at the Roundhouse on Monday to support a bill in front of the House Health and Human Services Committee that would help create minimum staffing ratios in New Mexico hospitals.

On Tuesday, lawmakers on the Senate Conservation Committee unanimously advanced a bill that takes aim at skyrocketing premiums or policy cancellations by proactively planning for future fires.

Immigrant families and advocacy groups marched at the Roundhouse in Santa Fe on Monday as a part of what was called the Immigrant and Workers Day of Action.

Lawmakers are trying to get more information when bills that reach the governor’s desk in the final days of the legislative session don’t get signed into law.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has called for easing medical malpractice insurance expenses by having the state step in to help cover gaps. Meanwhile a new Senate bill introduced by the only doctor in the legislature takes a different approach to lowering costs. On the next Let’s Talk New Mexico, we’ll discuss how problems with malpractice insurance affect providers in the state and their patients, along with possible policy solutions.

The New Mexico legislative session alternates each year between 30 and 60 days. On Wednesday a joint resolution to change that to 45 days each year passed its first committee.

A bill package that would give the state of New Mexico authority over pollution control and discharge into the state’s waterways – and allow creation of a new permitting system – is gaining traction in the legislature.