Democratic Party of New Mexico Options

[Cyndi]

http://www.democrats.org/states/nm.html

[vfguenley]

http://www.democrats.org/states/nm.html

http://nmdemocrats.org/

I’ve been complaining about the lack of attention these sites are receiving, democrats.org/states/nm receives almost no hits, nmdemocrats.org is doing a little better, but not much.

[vfguenley]

Democratic Victory Line – April 08, 2005
In this edition:
BINGAMAN INITIATIVES

LEGISLATIVE SESSION -- EDUCATION FOCUS
GOVERNOR SIGNS PUBLIC SAFETY LEGISLATION
RICHARDSON, UDALL ANNOUNCE OUTDOOR RECREATION GRANTS
COMMUNITY CORNER
BINGAMAN PUSHES BIPARTISAN BILL TO EXPAND HEALTH CARE COVERAGE FOR UNINSURED PREGNANT WOMEN & CHILDREN
On Thursday, U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman commemorated “World Health Day 2005” by reintroducing major bipartisan legislation he wrote to significantly reduce the number of uninsured children and pregnant women in New Mexico and across the country. Bingaman’s bill speaks to this year’s message of “Make Every Mother and Child Count.”
“New Mexico is ranked worst in the country when it comes to the percentage of mothers receiving appropriate prenatal care. But the problem in New Mexico is indicative of a problem affecting the entire country,” Bingaman said. “The United States ranks 21st in maternal mortality and 28th in infant mortality, the worst among developed nations. We should and must do better by our nation’s mothers and infants, and the best way to do that is by expanding health coverage to these populations.”
Census Bureau data show that between 1997 and 1999, there was an average of 111,000 New Mexico women of childbearing years without health insurance. That put New Mexico behind every other state in the nation and the District of Columbia on a list of women between 15-44 who are uninsured. Census Bureau data also indicate that New Mexico has 129,000 uninsured children under age 19.
Bingaman’s legislation, the Start Healthy, Stay Healthy Act, would deal with that problem by building on the landmark State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), which extended health care to low-income kids. SCHIP is a federal-state program that has extended eligibility for children up to 200 percent above poverty, although 11 million children remain uninsured in part due to poor outreach and enrollment.
Specifically, Bingaman’s Start Healthy, Stay Healthy Act would do the following:
· Expand health care coverage through SCHIP to pregnant women living at 250 percent above the poverty level. This would be the first time pregnant women would be eligible for health care under SCHIP.
· Cover children continuously from birth through first year of life, regardless of whether the child’s mother continues to qualify for Medicaid.
Bingaman introduced the Start Healthy, Stay Healthy Act in the last Congress to begin building support for the measure. Bingaman has been able to gain bi-partisan support.
The legislation will be referred to the Senate Finance Committee, a panel on which Bingaman sits.
On Tuesday, April 6, 2005, the Albuquerque Tribune published a story about another Bingaman initiative by DC reporter Woody Brosnan. The story is entitled 'Plan aids Hispanic students’ and highlights Senator Bingaman's efforts to secure new federal aid for the University of New Mexico to expand the reach of a grant program for Hispanic serving colleges and universities.
The article is available at the following URL: http://www.abqtrib.com/albq/nw_education/a...3679465,00.html


STATE LEGISLATIVE FOCUS -- EDUCATION
With all the legislative proposals being signed into law by Governor Richardson (see below), it is important to remember that legislation could not have reached his desk without the dedication and co-operation of the Democratic legislature. Whether one considered the 37th annual legislative session to have been short and sweet, or long and hard, it was a tremendous success. This newsletter highlights one particular area of accomplishment: Education.
Education was the state legislature’s top budget item and their most important investment. During the session the legislature invested $78.1 million for funding the three tier licensure system to reward our most experienced and best trained teachers. They provided $3.3 million in funds to close the achievement gap, such as the ENLACE Dropout Prevention Program, the truancy prevention program and Youth and Family Resources Act. Democratic legislators also invested an additional $5.2 million into school-based health clinics to keep kids healthy and learning. After meeting the state’s primary education needs, the Democratic Majority put forward a series of major initiatives:
Pre-K Initiative: House Bill 337 Pre-Kindergarten Act sponsored by Education Chairman Rick Miera (D-Albuquerque) and cosponsored by Representative Mimi Stewart (D-Albuquerque) called for priority funding for Pre-K programs in areas with elementary schools that are not meeting progress standards. This voluntary program is targeted to support 13,000 four year-olds who do not have access to preschool and will teach them the skills required to succeed.
Mimi Stewart (D-Albuquerque): “Education has always been a strong Democratic ideal. Pre-K, Three Tier Licensing and adequate funding to promote excellence in our public schools have been our priorities.”
Higher Education Cabinet Department: With a goal of improving higher education, a new cabinet department and cabinet position was created – the Higher Education Department (HED) and Secretary. The cabinet’s creation calls for clear accountability and responsibility for the oversight of higher education. HED shall develop and publish a statement of statewide educational needs and guidelines to assist colleges and universities in the development or modification of institutional strategic plans. The Legislature matched greater accountability to a $33 million increase in funding for operating costs. At the same time Legislators made higher education more accessible by providing an additional $1 million in financial aid.
House Majority Whip, Sheryl Williams Stapleton (D-Albuquerque): “Our agenda was simple and our results significant. Our top priority is also our best investment into New Mexico’s future—a better education for children”.
School Meal Nutrition Rules: The Department of Health notes alarming growth in the incidence of obesity and diabetes and stresses the importance of good nutrition in the schools. Legislation sponsored by Thomas Swisstack (D-Rio Rancho) would limit the availability of unhealthy, high-calorie, low-nutrition foods that compete with school meal programs. A new governing body would create new rules to govern foods and beverages sold outside of the Federal Department of Agriculture school meal programs to public school students. This would improve the health of students, with positive impact on their ability to learn, and help them develop better eating habits.
Tom Swisstack (D-Rio Rancho): “A healthy school diet is the right start for our children’s learning. This simple rule is expected to have a profound effect on New Mexico’s education system.”

GOVERNOR SIGNS PUBLIC SAFETY LEGISLATION
Governor Richardson has signed a flurry of legislation recently, fulfilling his promises and enacting a bold agenda to move New Mexico forward. Below are several new laws related to public safety:
Governor Richardson signed SB 720, sponsored by Senator Carlos Cisneros making identity theft in New Mexico a felony and increasing the number of prosecutions, investigations, and apprehensions by law enforcement.
"New Mexico must become more aware of the devastating effects of Identity Theft," said Governor Richardson. "Identity thieves steal more than names and numbers--in many cases, they steal futures and ruin lives."
SB 720 outlaws the use of computers and electronic equipment to defraud or otherwise steal an individual's personal or financial identifying information, which is then used to strip their assets or destroy their credit rating. Commonly called "pfishing" it costs our economy millions and incalculable damage to thousands of innocent victims. This bill is also an essential step in the Governor's assault against meth dealers who often use stolen identities as a form of currency.
Governor Bill Richardson signed HB 165, sponsored by Representative Hector Balderas to strengthen New Mexico's Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.
"With the action we are taking today, New Mexico will never be a haven for sex offenders," said Governor Bill Richardson. "Our enforcement will be tougher, our communities will have more timely and accurate information and most important, our children will be safer."
In the fall of 2003, during The Special Session dedicated to sex offense issues, Governor Richardson created the Sexual Predator Act and the Sex Offender Management Board, an entity composed of diverse experts in this field to address issues such as strengthening our Sex Offender Act.
"New Mexico will now have a tough and realistic sex offender tracking system with lifetime registration every 90 days for the worst offenders. We've also added crimes to the registration list, we have increased penalties to put real teeth in the enforcement and we have added notification of employers, a provision which we call Marissa's Law, named after Marissa Mathy-Zvaifler the young woman who was killed in 2003 by a convicted sex offender," said Governor Richardson.
By signing this law New Mexico will be in compliance with federal law and allowing New Mexico to obtain its full share of federal grant monies. There will be approximately 350 thousand dollars for this grant cycle.
Governor Richardson also signed HB 713, a bill to outlaw the distribution of "date rape" drugs and protect innocent victims of an insidious sexual assault.
"By signing this law our statutes will be clear... giving one of these drugs to an individual without their knowledge for the purpose of committing a sex crime is now a third degree felony," said Governor Richardson. "This type of predatory criminal activity has spread quickly across the country and New Mexico is no exception."
Governor Bill Richardson signed bills to ensure that victims of violent crime, domestic violence and sexual predators have a right to justice.
"Enforcing victim rights is enforcing justice," said Governor Richardson. "A victim should not be traumatized a second time as they proceed through the criminal justice system. Victims have suffered enough."
HB 692, sponsored by Representative Sheryl Williams Stapleton provides:
At every hearing, the judge and the prosecutor must make sure that the victim's rights are honored, or they may have to reschedule the hearing; If rights were violated, or the victim has a safety concern, the victim can now speak for themselves at the hearing; Ensures that victim rights can no longer be compromised away due to inconvenience.
HB 555, sponsored by Representative Gail Beam provides tools for the victim to actually collect lost money from the offender.
"I said earlier that we were not going to look victims in the face and tell them we could not get the job done. With the passage of these two bills, I can look victims in the eye and say that we have delivered on that promise," said Governor Richardson.
These bills reinforce the rights of victims to participate in the justice process.
Governor Richardson also signed SB 415, sponsored by Senator Mary Jane Garcia, that closes a loophole in the laws designed to protect children from sexual predators on the internet.
Currently sexual predators who cruise the Internet and chat rooms for children may not be prosecuted if the child they are attempting to lure turns out to be a police officer posing as a sexually vulnerable victim.
"Recently, the DA did not prosecute a man who was sexually explicit with what he thought was a 12-year-old girl. The man was arrested in a city park when he came for a planned meeting with whom he thought was a twelve-year-old girl. Instead he was met by the undercover officer and arrested. I am sad to say, this man was released. I am here today to say that will never happen again," said Governor Richardson.
HB 440 - Medical Documentation of Domestic Violence, sponsored by Representative Danice Picraux:
"Immediately following a domestic violence incident, too often in the emergency rooms of our hospitals the evidence is lost and the case can never be won," said Governor Richardson. "From now on, with the action I am taking today, the victims will have the records they need to get the justice they deserve."
HB 440 requires medical personnel to document the nature of injuries received from a domestic violence incident in a patient's file. The bill does not require medical personnel to report such incidents, in fact, the bill specifically states that the documentation of the abuse is confidential and may only be released with the written consent of the victim or by court order. If the patient reports domestic violence, or if medical personnel suspect that the patient is a victim of domestic violence, then they must provide the patient with a referral to services of domestic violence.
The bill also provides victims with the evidence they need in court proceedings such as requests for Orders of Protection or self-petitioning for legal resident status.
Senate Bill 233 and Senate Bill 91, which amend the Children's Code: Increasing Protection and Accountability for the Welfare of Our Children
"Today, we will insure that those we trust to take care of our kids can be trusted and that their backgrounds are thoroughly checked," said Governor Richardson.
Senate Bill 91 corrects a loophole that could potentially expose our children in need to danger. The FBI requires state agencies to have legislative approval before conducting national-level criminal background checks. Until now, the Children, Youth and Families Department only had approval to conduct FEDERAL background checks on those who work in juvenile justice facilities, childcare workers and prospective foster and adoptive parents.
Now, hundreds of juvenile probation and parole officers, and social workers -- people who all have direct contact with children, will also undergo complete local law enforcement and FBI background checks.
Senate Bill 233, sponsored by Majority Leader Michael Sanchez, makes some much-needed updates to the state's Children's Code, by giving children 14 and over the ability to have a voice in how their custody situations are handled by getting the opportunity to have an attorney.
"Giving teenagers more of a say-so in what happens with their lives means a better chance at happiness and success," said Governor Richardson.
GOV. RICHARDSON, REP UDALL ANNOUNCE OUTDOOR RECREATION GRANTS
Governor Bill Richardson and U.S. Representative Tom Udall announced recently that federal funding totaling $535,000 dollars has been allocated by the State Parks Division to three New Mexico communities to improve their park and recreation facilities. The State Parks Division has selected applications from Cloudcroft, Lovington, and Aztec under the Land and Water Conservation Fund state grants program that the Division administers in conjunction with the U.S. National Park Service.
“Since 1965, the Land and Water Conservation Fund stateside program has funded recreation projects across New Mexico,” said Governor Richardson. “This year’s projects will improve the health and the quality-of-life for thousands of New Mexicans. Unfortunately, the Bush administration proposes to eliminate funding for the LWCF stateside program in FY06. Ending this incredibly popular conservation program will hurt all fifty states and thousands of American communities.”
“Funding for LWCF grant projects like these is vital in keeping New Mexico communities modern and constantly improving," Representative Udall said. "If Congress enacts the president's budget, we’ll close the door on improving safe, accessible places for people to play, relax and stay healthy. Congress should reject this outrageous budget cut and instead should increase support for the LWCF program."
The three projects were selected by the New Mexico State Parks Division and the State Park Advisory Committee and then approved by National Park Service, which oversees the LWCF program nationwide. Projects to be funded include:
· Aztec -
Florence Park Tennis/Basketball Court
Improvements, $75,000. The City will make improvements to existing tennis courts to include resurfacing and installation of basketball goals for multi-use at Florence Park.
· Cloudcroft -
Zenith Park Tennis/Basketball Court
Improvements, $60,000. The Village will resurface existing tennis/basketball courts at Zenith Park.
· Lovington - Chaparral Park Outdoor Swimming Pool, $400,000. The City will construct an outdoor swimming pool at Chaparral Park.
The Land & Water Conservation Fund stateside program has been instrumental in shaping New Mexico's outdoor recreation landscape. Since 1965, New Mexico has received $38.5 million through this program, which has funded over 1,200 projects around the state, including outdoor recreation and fitness areas, swimming pools, tennis and basketball courts, trails, playing fields, playgrounds, campgrounds, picnic areas, golf courses, rodeo arenas, and open space. State agencies, municipalities, counties, schools and Native American tribes are all eligible to receive funding under the stateside LWCF program. State and local grant recipients of LWCF funds must provide a 100 percent match to federal funds.
President Bush’s proposed budget for FY06 requests zero funds for the stateside LWCF program. Congress funded the stateside LWCF program at $92 million in federal fiscal year 2005. New Mexico received $1.05 million of these funds. In addition to $535,000 allocated to the three community grants selected, State Parks used the balance of these funds for park development at Eagle Nest Lake State Park (Colfax County) and the new Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park (Dona Ana County).

[vfguenley]

Support Tom Udall, US Congress
http://www.tomudall.house.gov/display2.cfm?id=8579&type=Home

http://www.issues2000.org/House/Tom_Udall.htm

[vfguenley]

Look for a new re-elect Senator Jeff Bingaman website, up and running soon, for information on where to volunteer and where to make donations.

Re-elect Jeff Bingaman US Senate, to a fourth term;
http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodi...l?index=B000468

http://bingaman.senate.gov/

http://www.tourbus.com/Jeff-Bingaman-news.html