2-17-23 Alert

Good Afternoon, New Mexico Activists:

We have new hearings to tell you about on Monday and Tuesday: Minimum Wage Increase and Water Security Planning. If you missed yesterday’s Alert, you can find links to all Alerts here.

On Mon., Feb. 20, 1:30 p.m., Room 317, House Commerce & Economic Development will hear HB 25 Minimum Wage Increase & Indexing. A Committee Substitute for HB 25 was passed in House Labor, Veterans & Military Affairs, lowering the increase to $13.50 in January 2024 and to $15.50 in January 2025, with an annual cost of living adjustment annually thereafter. The other minimum wage bill was tabled, but this is still the better one. You’ll find talking points at the link in the bill title above. Please call and email committee members before Monday afternoon to urge them to vote “YES” on HB 25.

Offer public comment in person at the hearing, or via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81561067239. Or one tap mobile US: +16694449171, 81561067239# or +16699009128, 81561067239#. Webinar ID: 815 6106 7239. Or watch the hearing via Webcast at this link.

House Commerce & Economic Development Committee

Bulk email: “Janelle Anyanonu” <Janelle.Anyanonu@nmlegis.gov>, “Mark Duncan” <Mark.Duncan@nmlegis.gov>, “Doreen Y. Gallegos” <doreen.gallegos@nmlegis.gov>, “Joshua N. Hernandez” <joshua.hernandez@nmlegis.gov>, “Derrick J. Lente” <derrick.lente@nmlegis.gov>, “Charlotte Little” <Charlotte.Little@nmlegis.gov>, “Patricia A. Lundstrom” <patricia.lundstrom@nmlegis.gov>, “Alan T. Martinez” <Alan.Martinez@nmlegis.gov>, “Jimmy G. Mason” <Jimmy.Mason@nmlegis.gov>, “Marian Matthews” <marian.matthews@nmlegis.gov>, “Linda Serrato” linda.serrato@nmlegis.gov

On Tues., Feb. 21, 9 a.m., Room 311, Senate Conservation will hear SB 337 Water Security Planning Act. This is our top-priority water bill this year. You’ll find talking points at the link in the bill title from Middle Rio Grande Water Advocates and NM Water Ambassadors. Please call and email committee members before Tuesday to urge them to vote “YES” on SB 337.

You may email written comments (300 words max.) no later than Monday at 9 a.m., to SCONC.zoom@nmlegis.gov. You can offer public comment in person at the hearing or via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82404382748, or via telephone at 1 669 900 9128. Meeting ID: 824 0438 2748. Or watch the hearing via Webcast at this link.

Senate Conservation Committee

Bulk email: “Joseph Cervantes” <joseph.cervantes@nmlegis.gov>, “David M. Gallegos” <david@ramirezandsonsinc.com>, “Carrie Hamblen” <carrie.hamblen@nmlegis.gov>, “Steven P. Neville” <steven.neville@nmlegis.gov>, “Harold Pope” <harold.popejr@nmlegis.gov>, “Gregg Schmedes” <gregg.schmedes@nmlegis.gov>, “Antoinette Sedillo Lopez” <a.sedillolopez@nmlegis.gov>, “William P. Soules” <bill.soules@nmlegis.gov>, “Elizabeth “Liz” Stefanics” <lstefanics@msn.com>

UPDATE: Rep. Derrick Lente, sponsor of one of the bills we support, HB 140 Tribal Education Trust Fund, has decided to hold the bill for a future Session and request funding closer to what was originally hoped for, $250M.  You can read more about the bill at the link in the bill title above.

That’s all for today. We’ll send another Alert over the weekend if the committee schedules are updated.

In Gratitude & Solidarity,

Roxanne and Paul

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