1-31-23 Alert

Greetings, New Mexico Activists:

There are hearings tomorrow (Feb. 1) on increased Child Income Tax Credits and Repealing Rent Control. We also remind you about our Weds. evening Huddle and our Thurs. evening Zoom webinar on the Green Amendment. We hope to see you at both Zoom gatherings!

Weds., Feb. 1, 8:30 a.m., Room 307, House Health & Human Services is scheduled to hear HB 144 Increase Certain Child Income Tax Credit. We don’t have talking points yet, but HB 144, introduced by Rep. Christine Chandler, increases the child tax credit per qualifying child as follows: Income $25K or less, increase to $600 from $175; income $25K – $50K, increase to $400 from $150; income $50K to $75K, increase to $200 from $125 beginning Jan. 1, 2023. Increases will rise each year based on the consumer price index. Child Income Tax Credits have been shown to be the most effective means of reducing childhood poverty! Please call and email committee members today to urge them to vote “YES” on HB 144.

To offer public comment, attend the hearing in person or via Zoom at this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84266137922. Or call +16699009128, 84266137922# or +17193594580, 84266137922#. Webinar ID: 842 6613 7922. As always, you can watch the hearing Webcast at this link.

House Health & Human Services Committee

Bulk mail: “Kathleen Cates” <Kathleen.Cates@nmlegis.gov>, “Eleanor Chavez” <Eleanor.Chavez@nmlegis.gov>, “Joanne J. Ferrary” <joanne.ferrary@nmlegis.gov>, “Pamelya Herndon” <pamelya.herndon@nmlegis.gov>, “Tara Jaramillo” <Tara.Jaramillo@nmlegis.gov>, “Jenifer Jones” <Jenifer.Jones@nmlegis.gov>, “Stefani Lord” <stefani.lord@nmlegis.gov>, “Reena Szczepanski” <reena.szczepanski@nmlegis.gov>, “Elizabeth “Liz” Thomson” <liz.thomson@nmlegis.gov>, “Harlan Vincent” <Harlan.Vincent@nmlegis.gov>

Weds., Feb. 1, 1:30 p.m. (or ½ hr. after floor session ends), Room 311, Senate Health & Public Affairs is scheduled to hear SB 99 Rent Control Prohibitions, first on the agenda. This bill, held over from last Friday’s hearing, would repeal the existing statewide prohibition on rent control, leaving it up to local municipalities to decide. If you haven’t already, please call and email committee members today to urge them to vote “YES” on SB 99. Use the talking points linked in the bill title above to form your comments.

If you want to offer public comment, either show up in person or join the Zoom at this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9124526531. Or via telephone +1 253 215 8782. Webinar ID:912 452 6531. NOTE: The hearing has not yet been posted on the committee schedules at the nmlegis.gov website, but it appears on the SHPAC webpage, so we assume the Zoom link is the same as for previous meetings. As always, you can watch the hearing Webcast at this link.

Senate Health & Public Affairs Committee

Bulk mail: “David M. Gallegos” <david@ramirezandsonsinc.com>, “Martin Hickey” <martin.hickey@nmlegis.gov>, “Stuart Ingle” <stuart.ingle@nmlegis.gov>, “Antonio Maestas” <antonio.maestas@nmlegis.gov>, “Brenda G. McKenna” <brenda.mckenna@nmlegis.gov>, “Gerald Ortiz y Pino” <jortizyp@msn.com>, “Gregg Schmedes” <gregg.schmedes@nmlegis.gov>, “Antoinette Sedillo Lopez” <a.sedillolopez@nmlegis.gov>, “Bill Tallman” <bill.tallman@nmlegis.gov>

REMINDERS

  • Join our Thurs., Evening Zoom on the Green Amendment. Register at this link. We’ve assembled a great panel with the founder of the Green Amendment, Maya van Rossum, attorneys from NY and PA who have been involved with leading implementation of the amendment in those states, and Sen. Antoinette Sedillo Lopez, the people’s Senator and one of the bill sponsors.
  • One example of why we need the Green Amendment: The oil and gas industry in NM emits 570,000 tons of methane a year, the equivalent climate impact of 12 coal-fired power plants. Methane pollution, a known carcinogen, has more than doubled in the Permian Basin since 2011. A recent Searchlight report, “No Eyes in the Sky,” verified unchecked methane releases throughout the Permian Basin with virtually no inspections being conducted or fines levied. We’ve heard our Governor crow about how NM has the most rigorous methane regs. in the nation. They should add an asterisk indicating that we do not enforce them if campaign donors are opposed to being regulated! The Green Amendment is designed to force state and local government to enforce the laws and regs they have passed to protect you and the planet. 

We look forward to seeing you all this week on Wednesday and Thursday evenings!

In Gratitude and Solidarity, Roxanne and Paul