Font ResizeDays remaining in session: 43
•Reading proficiency: A bill sponsored by Rep. Mary Helen Garcia, D-Las Cruces, that would help students achieve reading standards passed the House Consumers and Public Affairs Committee with a vote of 5-0 Thursday.
HB 21 would not allow third-grade students to advance to fourth grade until they were proficient in reading. The bill requires notification of parents, but will not allow a parental waiver. Student assistance teams of the student's teacher, school counselor, school administrator and parent would develop an academic improvement plan for the student. If proficiencies are not met prior to the new school year, the student will not be promoted to the next grade.
The bill would also require students who are not academically proficient by the end of the seventh grade to repeat that grade before continuing to upper levels.
"As a former educator, I know how critical literacy is to the learning process," Garcia said. "If children can't read, then their comprehension and understanding of other subjects is hindered. This will not require any additional funding - just the districts' dedication to develop targeted reading programs."
HB 21 now heads to the House Education Committee for consideration.
•Unseal the records: Apparently in response to former Gov. Bill Richardson's sealing of his office's records for eight years, a freshman legislator will introduce a measure that would reverse a 1967 loophole and not allow
Rep. Nate Gentry, R-Albuquerque, will hold a news conference 9:45 a.m. today at the North Capitol Building to talk to reporters about his bill.
Richardson told The New Mexican this week that he ordered his records sealed because he was following the law and tradition. The former governor said all other governors had done the same.
But former Gov. David F. Cargo told a reporter Thursday that he didn't do this. Cargo said he hand-delivered his records to the archives days after he left office and left instructions that anyone could see them. Cargo is on the board of New Mexico Foundation for Open Government, which has publicly disputed Richardson's interpretation of the law.
•Stop the Revolving Door: The House Health and Government Affairs Committee on Thursday unanimously gave a do-pass recommendation to a bill that would stop former legislators from returning to the Roundhouse to lobby.
House Bill 67, sponsored by Rep. Bill O'Neill, D-Albuquerque, also would prohibit lobbying by a former statewide elected officials, former public regulation commissioners and former cabinet secretaries for one year the with a vote of 8-0.
Under the bill, anyone in violation would be subject to fines up to $5,000 and revocation of lobbyist registration, or enjoinder of lobbying activities for up to three years.
Gov. Susana Martinez has called for such legislation. At least 16 states restrict former legislators from lobbying for one year after leaving office and six states have two-year restrictions.
"This is just common sense legislation and emulates the Congressional circumstance where former legislators are not allowed to lobby for 2 years after holding office," O'Neill said. "People in my district, as well as around the state, understand the need for this kind of transparency."
The bill now goes to the House Business and Industry Committee.
•Stop the Cattle Rustlers: Sen. Vernon Asbill, R-Carlsbad, wants to fight back against cattle rustlers - federal cattle rustlers.
SB13 would prevent a state brand inspector from issuing a brand inspection certificate for livestock seized by federal land managers, unless the owner consents, the owner is unknown, or the federal government has obtained a court order "from a court of competent jurisdiction.
A brand inspection certificate is required when livestock is shipped or driven out of a district or out of state.
"The Federal Government will not be able to seize livestock on federally leased land in New Mexico like it did in Arizona when the feds sold the confiscated livestock in Oklahoma without permission or without any legal proceedings," Asbill said in a written release. "This so-called cattle rustling by the feds will not happen in New Mexico."
Looking Ahead
•Both the House and the Senate are scheduled to reconvene at 10 a.m.
•Today is American Indian Day at the Roundhouse. There will be music, dances and speeches in the Rotunda beginning at 8:30 a.m.
•The Legislature today will celebrate teaching and learning excellence by honoring the state's 2010 class of National Board Certified Teachers. Teachers who achieved National Board Certification, the most advanced credential in the teaching profession, will be in attendance on both the House and Senate floors.
•Land Commissioner Ray Powell will be interviewed by Lorene Mills on KNME's Report from Santa Fe, which airs 10:30 p.m. Friday and 7:30 a.m. Sunday, both on Channel 5.
•The state's film-incentives program will be the topic of discussion on KNME's In Focus. The TV talk show airs 7 p.m. Friday and 6:30 a.m. Sunday.
•Opponents of same-sex marriage and domestic partnerships will march on Valentine's Day from Santa Fe Community Convention Center to the Roundhouse. They will meet at 10 a.m. in small groups for prayer, then start the march at 10:45. A rally in the Rotunda is planned for 11:15 a.m. to "inform legislators that marriage in NM MUST be defined as a union between 1 man and 1 woman."
