Yesterday we saw first hand how things can go when Democrats flip and the 3 Dems who flipped were all from Santa Fe and ABQ. Humiliating. Infuriating. Today, we also examine the potential impact on a family of five of passing just four of Retake’s MUST PASS bills. It will make you realize in human…
I was going to update you on a few bills and prattle on about the inanity of a President who when he doesn’t get his way, declares a national emergency. But all of that seemed trivial next a thirty minute incident in the news room at the Roundhouse.
Retake has been slow to offer comment on SB 489 Energy Transition Act, a bill we feel could be the single most important in the Roundhouse this session. It is immensely complex, took months to develop, and has enjoyed the support of an Alliance of environmental organizations, but there are things about the bill that…
The Roundhouse is heating up and so we share the status of some of our MUST PASS bills and concerns about the newly released Securitization bill, SB 489. We also provide info on a shift in strategy for contacting our legislators and call for more volunteers at the Roundhouse. As we move to the Senate…
A Roundhouse Roundup updates you on our MUST PASS bills that are sailing along. The post also includes information on AOC and Markey’s introduction of a Congressional Resolution for the Green New Deal. Finally, a tremendous 5 minute clip of AOC asking questions at a Congressional hearing about the influence of money in politics. So…
Quite a contrast. At 6pm, we participated in a Sunrise Movement Zoom Call, a Green New Deal campaign launch full of young energy and passion followed by The State of Disunion from Donald Trump, a staid ramble full of lies, distortion and barely veiled racism. The contrast was stark. We share the Sunrise Movement’s plan…
This bill will be added to Retake Our Democracy’s MUST PASS list. While this moratorium would not stop current fracking operations, it would stop in its tracks all new fracking leases for the next four years. Ironically, right after Sen. Sedillo Lopez’ press conference announcing the bill I heard NM Gas & Oil Association testimony…
In hearings on HB 31 Increase Minimum Wage, HB 51 Abortion Decriminalization; SB 210 Community Solar Act and others, opposing testimony has relied upon fear tactics and misrepresentations of the truth. Today, we examine restaurant owners’ tactics on the minimum wage and other tactics used on other bills to mislead legislators or provide cover for…
The focus is on the Roundhouse because we have 60 days to change the social, economic and climate justice landscape in NM. But in Portland, we find a local model for advancing progressive economic and climate justice goals. We are also seeing evidence Retake and our Response Network building credibility and influence in the Roundhouse.…
The NM Constitution appears to prohibit the Roundhouse from passing legislation on issues under PRC consideration & the PRC voted 5-0 yesterday to assign the San Juan closure to hearing officers in preparation for a hearing. Securitization bill sponsor Sen. Jacob Candelaria, told me that the legislature can proceed regardless. Interesting. Gov Lujan Grisham snubs…
Today’s post focuses exclusively on SB 374, what it is, and why it is so important. Introduced Monday by Sen. Steinborn, it will allow jurisdictions and tribes to produce, use and sell their own renewable energy, freeing them from dependence upon PNM and other public utilities. It is game changing. Read on.
What a week, 8 hearings on 7 of our MUST PASS bills, with all bills passing, and more and more signs that nationally and here in NM, things are changing dramatically. Today, we reflect back on the darkness of Nov 2016 and travel through time to today, where at a state level we are poised…
Seven of our must pass bills sailed through committee hearings with one, the Popular Vote, passing through two House Committees, moving on to the Senate. Donald Trump has not fared as well, as Pelosi said no, and was able to hold her Party firm. With his polls dropping and the GOP in the Senate bolting,…
We’ve had thousands marching for Women’s Rights, but a march is a moment, not a movement and it is time to do more than march. We can make a strong statement on Saturday at the Roundhouse, but this time we’ll be inside advocating, not outside signing songs and carrying signs. Dems hold a slim 3-2…
Tue. & Weds were hectic days at the Roundhouse that promises to be oh so much crazier today with Community Solar Act being heard at 8am and an array of Gun Violence Prevention bills in the afternoon. Blog includes a Roundhouse Roundup, and background info on the effort to create a Public Bank in NM.
