The Pew Charitable Trusts - State and Consumer Initiatives from New Mexico

States Prepare to Launch New Health Law

Debates over Medicaid expansion got most of the attention, but states enacted dozens of other laws that will affect how millions of Americans receive health care next year.

Drones, Fences and Sensors Influence Immigration Debate

Border security is a big part of the immigration overhaul. But who will define it?

Legislation Would Take State Mineral Revenue off Chopping Block

Proposals in Congress would save tens of millions of dollars in mineral payments to states from sequestration’s sweeping cuts.

After Years of Defeats, Immigrants Win Big State Victories in 2013

Arizona’s immigration crackdown is a fresh memory for many, but now many states are passing immigrant-friendly laws. Find out what is driving the change.

Maryland Repeals Death Penalty, Sixth State in Six Years

Maryland became the sixth state in as many years to repeal the death penalty. But the fate of the state’s five remaining death row inmates is up to Governor Martin O'Malley.

Vote by Mail Election in Albuquerque, New Mexico

The city of Albuquerque is holding a special election to amend the city charter that will be conducted entirely by mail, and the early returns show some problems with the process.

The 5 States Most Vulnerable to Sequestration’s Education Cuts

Automatic federal budget cuts will slash more than $1 billion in K-12 education dollars this year, paring everything from Title I money for low-income students to school improvement initiatives.

How New Mexico Legalized Gay Marriage – For 8 Hours

For eight hours in 2004, same-sex marriage was legal in New Mexico. Nearly a decade later, the state is still dealing with the fallout.

New Mexico State of the State Address 2013

SANTA FE, New Mexico -- Jan. 28 -- Following is the prepared text of Gov. Susana Martinez's (R) 2013 State of the State Address:

Issue To Watch: School Testing

A number of states are pushing to up the stakes on reading tests for younger students and assign letter grades to schools.

New Mexico Governor Renews Fight Against Driver’s Licenses For Undocumented Immigrants

Governor Susana Martinez has renewed her fight against a law that allows undocumented immigrants in New Mexico to receive driver’s licenses.

Issue To Watch: Gun Regulation

Gun legislation moved to the top of the list for many state lawmakers after the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut in December.

Falling Short on Dental Sealants: New Mexico

How well is New Mexico protecting kids from tooth decay?

Best of #StateReads: Why New Jersey’s Trains Flooded but New York’s Stayed Dry

This week’s extraordinary journalism about state government, tagged to #StateReads on Twitter.

States Get More Time to Decide If They Will Run Their Own Health Insurance Exchanges

Only a few new states have opted to build and operate their own insurance exchanges. More are taking a wait and see approach.

The Impact of the Fiscal Cliff: New Mexico

Federal and state finances are closely intertwined, and the fiscal cliff’s tax and spending provisions will have consequences for states.

In Palin Ruling, Alaska Supreme Court OKs Personal Email for State Business

The Alaska Supreme Court on Friday said state officials may use personal email accounts to conduct official business, but some emails sent from private accounts may be subject to open records law.

Still Risky: Checking Accounts in New Mexico

Checking accounts, the most widely used financial product in America, contain hidden risks that can harm consumers. Three of the 12 largest banks nationwide offer checking accounts in New Mexico and hold 45 percent of all deposits in the state. Here’s what consumers in New Mexico may be paying.

How Governors Govern Higher Ed

Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell and Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett are the latest governors to play a role in resolving crises at their state universities.

Natural Gas Growth Adds Strain to State Regulators

To keep pace with a surge of natural gas drilling, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources is looking to triple its staff of well inspectors. In many other states, inspection teams remain small while wells go unchecked.

Widening Gap Update: New Mexico

New Mexico failed to consistently pay its full annual pension contribution from 2005 to 2010. The pension system was 72 percent funded in fiscal year 2010 and faced an $8 billion funding gap. Most experts agree that a fiscally sustainable system should be at least 80 percent funded. The state also had a $3 billion bill for retiree health care costs, only 5 percent of which was funded, slightly below the 8 percent national average in 2010.

Former GOP Govs Show Rift in Party

Ideological rigidity is forcing Republicans to become independents, the former GOP governor of California says, while the former GOP governor of New Mexico wins the nomination to run for president under the Libertarian label.

Courthouse Costs Engender Controversy

Many courthouses around the country are in dreadful physical shape. But spending the money to replace them can be a politically dicey proposition.

GOP Governors Examined as Potential Running Mates

Several Republican governors have already taken their names out of consideration for the second spot on the national ticket.

What Do Record Low Natural Gas Prices Mean for States?

Newly abundant and cheap natural gas has slashed home heating bills for many Americans. But in some states, the continued price drop has thinned state budgets and shifted energy production.

States Try to Help Veterans Find Jobs

With U.S forces out of Iraq and combat troops slated to leave Afghanistan in 2013, states are readying for an influx of returning troops who will be looking for work.

New Mexico State of the State Address 2012

SANTA FE, New Mexico - Jan. 17 - Following is the prepared text of Gov. Susana Martinez's (R) 2012 state of the state address: Thank you. Lieutenant Governor; Senate President Pro Tem; Mr. Speaker; Democratic and Republican leaders; esteemed members of the New Mexico legislature; honorable me

New Mexico Legislators Look to Curb Charter School Costs

Some lawmakers in New Mexico say publicly funded, privately run schools are taking advantage of the state's rules to get more education funding than public schools.

Election Websites: New Mexico

Being Online Is Still Not Enough provides state-by-state reviews and analysis based on detailed criteria of election websites for all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

In Texas, Proposition 6 Would Tap Trust Fund for More Education Dollars

Facing $4 billion in cuts to their schools over the next two years, Texas voters will decide next week whether to authorize dipping deeper into the state's $25 billion education trust fund to make up some of the difference.

States Retool Food Stamp, Benefits Systems

A number of states used to make food stamp recipients pass a fingerprint test. Now all but one has stopped, to save on staff time and ease the burden on the clients.

Several States Quick to Opt for No Child waivers

TODAY'S TAKE: Connecticut, Oregon, New Mexico and Wisconsin immediately said they would seek waivers from key requirements of the No Child Left Behind law, an option announced by the president on Friday (September 23).

New Mexico to Debate Immigrant Licenses

TODAY'S TAKE: A special legislative session that begins today (September 6) in New Mexico will focus on redistricting, but lawmakers also will debate whether illegal immigrants should be given driver's licenses.

Pentagon Cuts Have Military States Worried

The federal debt-reduction deal contains at least $350 billion - but perhaps as much as $950 billion - in defense spending cuts over 10 years. Some states see serious problems for their military-dependent economies.

New Mexico Board to Rule on Cap-and-Trade

ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT BEAT: After a court ruling, cap-and-trade could be rejected in New Mexico ... Alaska plans massive dam to meet renewable energy goals ... California court allows plastic bag ban, and more energy and environment news.

States Prepare Timelines for Missed Debt Deadline

TODAY'S TAKE: States are calculating how long it will take before a political impasse over the federal debt ceiling begins to affect their bottom lines. Some are preparing backup plans, including the furlough of thousands of workers.

Crackdown on Illegal Immigrant Drivers Now Nationwide

TRANSPORTATION BEAT: New Mexico and Washington, the last two states that still issue driver's licenses to illegal immigrants, both recently stepped up efforts to make sure that license holders actually live in their states.

Fate of Florida Commuter Rail Line Up to Governor

TRANSPORTATION BEAT: Florida's governor weighs the arguments for a commuter rail line ... California regulators deal with the unintended consequences of a clean fuel requirement … Minnesota drivers could be caught in traffic if a budget is not passed on time, and other transportation news.

As Shuttle Program Ends, States Step Up Roles in Space

With NASA focused on deep-space missions, the federal government is increasingly turning to private companies to handle more routine flights. Now, states are competing to lure the space entrepreneurs-and the high-tech jobs they promise-to their new or refashioned launch facilities.

Budget Cuts Hitting Poor in Unusual Ways

SOCIAL POLICY BEAT: As more legislatures finish their budgets, programs that help the poor in Kansas and Florida are among those getting scaled back or eliminated altogether.

Welfare Rolls Up, Benefits Down in Some States

SOCIAL POLICY BEAT: Some states are scaling back welfare benefits just as more of their residents are seeking them, a new report says.

Measuring Transportation Investments: New Mexico

May 2011 report, Measuring Transportation Investments: The Road to Results, found considerable differences among the 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Children's Dental Health: New Mexico

New Mexico meets five of the eight policy benchmarks aimed at addressing children’s dental health needs, one fewer than in 2010. The rates paid to dentists by Medicaid did not keep pace with rising dental fees, and fell below the benchmark.

Abuses in Delaware Weatherization Program Revealed

ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT BEAT: Delaware's troubled energy efficiency efforts ... a deal to remove protections for wolves ... Iowa leads in wind power and other energy and environment news.

A Three-Year College Degree in Ohio?

EDUCATION BEAT: Ohio governor wants colleges to offer three-year degrees ... Idaho ends its legislative session after approving three controversial education bills ... Oregon lawmakers want the governor to double as school superintendent and other education news from state governments.

First Session a Mixed Bag for New Mexico's Martinez

TODAY'S TAKE: Susana Martinez, New Mexico's new Republican governor, lost a high-profile debate over her proposal to bar unauthorized immigrants from obtaining drivers' licenses. But Martinez notched other victories in the Democratic-controlled Legislature, on proposals to limit film tax credits and increase DNA collection from criminal suspects.

Governors Target Rules at Businesses' Behest

Newly elected Republicans - and some Democrats - have made rethinking regulations a top priority. That has environmentalists and consumer advocates nervous.

New Mexico State of the State Address 2011

SANTA FE, N.M. - Jan. 18 - Following is the prepared text of Gov. Susana Martinez's (R) 2011 state of the state address: Lieutenant Governor; Senate President Pro Tem; Mr. Speaker; Democratic and Republican leaders; esteemed members of the New Mexico legislature; honorable members of the judiciary; former governor

New Mexico's New Governor Blocks Carbon Reduction Plan

ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT BEAT: Climate-change skeptic Susana Martinez revokes global warming regulations ... Texas to accept other states' radioactive waste ... a department of growth leadership for Florida, and other energy and environment news.

A Pardon For Billy the Kid?

A potential pardon for 19th-century outlaw Billy the Kid has ignited a debate over frontier history in New Mexico. Governor Bill Richardson is considering a petition brought forward by an Albuquerque attorney and must make a decision by Friday night. Public opinion seems to support the pardon.