New Mexico
AFT New Mexico: ‘I’m Just A Bill’
Courtesy AFT NM
BY WHITNEY HOLLAND
President, AFT NM
@unionwhitney
Even though we are only in the first week of the Legislative session and bills have not been debated extensively, we wanted to take a quick moment to review the path legislation in the New Mexico legislature in real life:
Bills can be introduced in either the House of Representatives or the State Senate, and sometimes duplicate bills will be introduced in both chambers. Generally, a bill will receive 1-3 committee hearings in the legislative chamber where the bill is introduced.
In a 30-day session, like this year, only bills which are budgetary in nature are germane (relevant to a subject under consideration). Additionally, the governor can send a “message” in support of a non-budgetary bill to add it to the list of legislation eligible to be considered in a budgetary year.
Once a bill passes its assigned committees, it will be heard by the full chamber where it was introduced. If that chamber’s majority votes “yes” on the legislation, it will then be sent to the other legislative chamber for consideration in committees and then by the full chamber before heading to the Governor for their signature or veto.
The legislative process, by design, is slow and there are many steps along the way to gather input and review to make the strongest laws possible. It is a tedious process, but it helps to have many viewpoints considered before enacting a new law.
Our union has had success in passing new laws – or modernizing existing laws – when we have worked with partners and stakeholders in the education community, labor community, or legislative community. We will partner with any organization or legislator who shares our values to advance our legislative goals and improve public education, healthcare, and New Mexico labor laws for the benefit of our members, profession, and community.
Thank you in advance for your advocacy, engagement, and support over the remainder of the 2024 Legislative Session! Follow AFT NM on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Related
Colorado Parks and Wildlife rereleased a wolf into Grand County this week after it had traveled into New Mexico, according to a news release.
The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish captured gray wolf 2403 and returned the animal to Colorado.
Colorado wildlife officials decided to release the wolf in Grand County yesterday because of the proximity to “an unpaired female gray wolf,” nearby prey populations and distance from livestock, according to the release.
“Gray wolf 2403 has been returned to Colorado and released in a location where it can best contribute to CPW’s efforts to establish a self-sustaining wolf population while concurrently attempting to minimize potential wolf-related livestock conflicts,” said acting director of CPW Laura Clellan, according to the release.
The wolf was once a member of the Copper Creek pack but departed from it this fall.
A memorandum of understanding between Colorado and Arizona, New Mexico and Utah requires that any gray wolves that leave Colorado and enter those states be returned. That was created in part to maintain the integrity of a Mexican wolf recovery program.
“We recognized during the planning process that we would need to have consideration and plans to protect the genetic integrity of the Mexican wolf recovery program, while also establishing a gray wolf population in Colorado,” said CPW’s Wolf Conservation Program Manager Eric Odell, according to the release.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – A judge sentenced a New Mexico man to nearly 20 years in prison for distributing meth and having guns in his possession to use while doing so.
Court records indicate 43-year-old David Amaya sold meth from a trailer on his parents’ property in Anthony throughout July and August 2024. Agents executed a search warrant Aug. 22 and found 1.18 kilograms of meth, two firearms and ammunition in the trailer and a makeshift bathroom.
Amaya pleaded guilty to possession of meth with intent to distribute it. A judge sentenced him to 235 months in prison.
Once he is out, Amaya will face five years of supervised release.
The FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office and the Las Cruces Metro Narcotics Task Force investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Williams prosecuted it.
The New Mexico Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 10, 2025, results for each game:
Powerball
10-16-29-33-69, Powerball: 22, Power Play: 3
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick 3
Day: 8-2-7
Evening: 6-9-2
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Lotto America
03-13-37-42-44, Star Ball: 01, ASB: 03
Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick 4
Evening: 5-0-7-8
Day: 3-7-2-0
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Roadrunner Cash
02-04-06-21-22
Check Roadrunner Cash payouts and previous drawings here.
Powerball Double Play
13-15-51-67-68, Powerball: 08
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Las Cruces Sun-News editor. You can send feedback using this form.
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