Days remaining in session: 36

•Bully bill: A bill sponsored by Sen. Mary Jane Garcia, D-Do-a Ana, that would require the state Children, Youth and Families Department to collaborate with New Mexico Highlands and New Mexico State University on a study into child abuse problems and recommend prevention methods passed Thursday in the Senate.

"Child abuse seems to be an epidemic in our state and we need to immediately investigate what can be done about it," Garcia said. "This study bill complements the other measures in my child abuse prevention package, attacking the problem from several different angles at once."

SB 76 is one of four bills dealing with child abuse introduced by Garcia, and now moves to the House. Others are SB 77, SB 79 and SB 213.

A case of gas: Rep. Bobby Gonzales, D-Taos, introduced a bill Thursday that would create a task force to investigate New Mexico's recent natural gas shortages and the economic and social impacts of those shortages. House Bill 452 has bipartisan support.

"It is imperative that we uncover all the reasons the people of our state were forced to endure this hardship," Gonzales said in a recent statement. "This bill will not only 'get to the bottom' of things, but the task force will develop strategies to safeguard our natural gas system so a catastrophe like this doesn't happen again."

The task force would investigate the reasons New Mexico experienced a loss of natural gas service and review the state and local

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governments' response to the emergency. The task force would work with experts to determine how to secure New Mexico's natural gas system to prevent further interruptions in service and report their findings and recommendations to the governor and legislature.

•Donate your refunds: A state lawmaker proposes to allow New Mexicans to donate part of their tax refunds to help boost public school funding.

The Senate Education Committee on Wednesday unanimously endorsed the proposal by Sen. John Sapien, a Corrales Democrat.

Under the measure, individuals could voluntarily contribute part of their state income tax refund to public schools. The money would be distributed through New Mexico's school funding formula to districts statewide. Taxpayers could not earmark their refunds for any particular district.

The Taxation and Revenue Department says it's uncertain how much money the proposal might generate.

The bill heads to the Senate Corporations and committee for consideration.

•Panel shelves scholarship tax credit: A Senate committee has shelved a proposal to offer tax credits to those who help provide scholarships for children to attend private or religious schools.

Republican Gov. Susana Martinez's administration supported the proposal by Sen. Mark Boitano, an Albuquerque Republican.

The measure would provide an income tax credit of up to $500 a year to people who make donations to nonprofit groups providing scholarships for children to attend a private or religious school.

The Senate Education Committee voted 7-3 on Wednesday to table the bill, which likely dooms it for the session.

Educational employee unions and a school administrators group opposed the measure.

Looking Ahead

•Today is African-American Day at the Legislature. The Rev. Al Sharpton, preacher civil rights leader, former presidential candidate, frequent guest on national cable news shows and former tour manager for James Brown, will address a joint session of the Legislature at 11 a.m.

•A coalition of several groups including Somos Un Pueblo Unido, League of United Latin American Citizens, and Hispanic Roundtable are organizing a"1000 Women March" today to"raise awareness of issues important to New Mexico's women, children, and families." Marchers will meet at Railyard Park, Cerrillos Road at Guadalupe Street) at noon before heading to the Capitol for a rally and lunch.

•KNME's In Focus tonight will be dedicated to the various immigration issues being discussed by legislators, The show airs 7 p.m. on KNME, Channel 5 and will be replayed Sunday at 6:30 a.m.

•U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, a Democrat, on Monday will address the New Mexico Legislature, where he will discuss the state's leadership role in building the economy of the future through the development of clean energy technologies.

Quote of the day

"He's not special. He's no better than any other New Mexican."

- Senate President pro-tem Tin Jennings on cabinet nominee Harrison Schmitt's refusal to submit to the background investigation required by the Senate Rules Committee's confirmation process. Later in the day, Schmitt withdrew his nomination to be secretary of the Energy, Minerals & Natural Resources Department.

The New Mexican