Stewart Plan to Help Educators Better Teach Reading to Young Children Funded in Budget
Senate Majority Whip Mimi Stewart on Thursday announced that the Fiscal Year 2021 Budget passed by the Legislature included $875,000 to start an important, voluntary professional development opportunity in the summer for teachers who teach reading to younger students.
Early Literacy Summer Professional Development Program Receives $875,000
Senate Majority Whip Mimi Stewart on Thursday announced that the Fiscal Year 2021 Budget passed by the Legislature included $875,000 to start an important, voluntary professional development opportunity in the summer for teachers who teach reading to younger students.
“When a child learns to read, the world opens up to them,” Stewart said. “Having taught reading myself for years, though, I know that students and educators face many hurdles. By creating this unique literacy education learning opportunity for teachers, we will help teachers master the most up-to-date techniques so that more of our kids can succeed.”
The funding is the result of Stewart’s SB 74, which called for teaching scientifically based strategies and that incorporate ongoing assessment into literacy education training. The professional development outlined in SB 74 must also support teachers working with English-language-learners and prioritize teachers in elementary schools with a high number of at risk students.
“By supporting teachers with a smart, scientifically based approach to literacy education, we will be helping them to teach and helping our students to learn,” Stewart said. “And by prioritizing teachers working with at-risk populations, this program reflects our state’s commitment to helping all students.”
Stewart Bill to Stop Wildlife Trafficking in New Mexico Passes Legislature, Headed to Governor for Signature
Sen. Mimi Stewart’s Wildlife Trafficking Act passed the House of Representatives on Tuesday and is now headed to the governor to be signed into law. Passage of the bill has an increased urgency this year as the devastating outbreak of COVID-19, a lethal strain of the coronavirus, has been linked to the sale of wildlife in a market in China.
Urgency for Ending Illegal Animal Sale Increased by Coronavirus Outbreak Linked to Wildlife in Market
Sen. Mimi Stewart’s Wildlife Trafficking Act passed the House of Representatives on Tuesday and is now headed to the governor to be signed into law. Passage of the bill has an increased urgency this year as the devastating outbreak of COVID-19, a lethal strain of the coronavirus, has been linked to the sale of wildlife in a market in China.
“Wildlife trafficking is having devastating impacts on animals and human communities,” Stewart said. “We cannot ignore the fact that the illegal sale of wildlife is driving species to extinction and creating dangerous outbreaks of disease that are killing hundreds of people around the world.”
Specifically, SB 75 makes it easier to crack down on the sale of endangered species and their parts—such as certain shark fins or rhinoceros tusks. The bill also creates civil penalties for wildlife trafficking, with fines not to exceed $10,000 or three times the value of the items trafficked—whichever is greater.
“Traffickers are in the business they’re in because they want the money,” Stewart said. “Stiff financial penalties will hit them where it hurts. We need to take the profit out of killing endangered species.”
The Wildlife Trafficking Act only deals with the intentional sale of these animal products. Possession is not affected by the legislation. As a result, New Mexicans who may own antiques or heirlooms that contain ivory or other animal parts covered by the bill will not be impacted.
“This bill is narrowly focused on the cracking down on the multibillion-dollar wildlife-trafficking black market,” Stewart said. “The goal of the Wildlife Trafficking Act is to crack down on an industry that is quickly and illegally killing off endangered species around the world.”
Wildlife trafficking is an issue in New Mexico because the El Paso Port of Entry is one of the top places for trafficked materials to enter the United States. Illegal goods then pass through New Mexico as they are distributed and sold illegally around the country.
Hard Work Pays Off as Bill to Protect State Workers Passes Legislature, Heads to Gov
After two hours of late-night debate, the Senate just after midnight Wednesday, passed HB 364, the first-ever and much-needed update to the state’s Public Employee Bargaining Act so that state workers have the support they need to keep New Mexico running.
Collaboration of House, Senate & Stakeholders Yielded Revised Bill to Benefit Employers, Employees
After two hours of late-night debate, the Senate just after midnight Wednesday, passed HB 364, the first-ever and much-needed update to the state’s Public Employee Bargaining Act so that state workers have the support they need to keep New Mexico running.
“Public employees—from teachers and truck drivers to sanitation workers and police officers—deserve the best possible process to negotiate fair wages and safe workplaces,” Stewart said. “By amending the Public Employees Bargaining Act in this way, we are streamlining processes and respecting workers. That makes sense for public employees, their employers and all New Mexicans.”
Although the final bill is a huge win for the state, it did not have an easy time making its way through the legislative process. Originally introduced as SB 110 by Sen. Mimi Stewart, that bill was tabled in Senate Judiciary Committee last week, but was brought off the table and passed by the committee after input from and negotiations with stakeholders including the New Mexico Association of Counties, Municipal League, school districts, school boards and school superintendents.
“Unions are always ready to come to the table to reach agreements that move workers forward,” Stewart said. “I am incredibly grateful to the Association of Counties, the Municipal League and education leaders like Santa Fe Public Schools Superintendent Veronica Garcia for also sitting down and working in good faith to make this bill better so that it benefits all parties.”
The process took another turn when SB 110 was unexpectedly referred to a third Senate committee at the last minute—a highly unusual political move. Fortunately, House members Rep. Sheryl Williams-Stapleton, Rep. Christine Trujillo and Rep. Daymon Ely stepped up and introduced HB 364, identical to the revised SB 110, and it easily passed through the House of Representatives.
Senators then carefully reviewed HB 364 through their committee process—avoiding by floor vote another political attempt to assign the bill to unnecessary committees. The full Senate then debated HB 364 for several hours before passing it, 24-17, early Wednesday.
“Never under estimate the power of workers and their allies in the Legislature when we come together to make positive changes,” Stewart said. “Like all New Mexico workers know, hard work pays off. And that’s just what happened with this important bill to improve the Public Employee Bargaining Act.
HB 364/SB 110 is the first update to the PEBA since it became law in 2003. It makes the following key improvements:
“Concerted Activity” Protection: HB364/SB 110 adds this critical legal language to PEBA to protect activities like talking with co-workers about wages or working conditions; circulating a petition asking for better hours; participating in a refusal to work in unsafe conditions; joining with co-workers to talk directly to the employer or to the media about problems in the workplace.
Labor Board Restructuring: HB364/SB 110 creates a timeline and process for streamlining the labor board structure in the state. Currently there are 52 local labor laws and boards.
Fair Elections: Under HB364/SB 110, unions will have equal access to employees to allow fair information to ensure that employees hear from both sides in a workplace election.
Misuse of Public Funds: HB364/SB 110 ensures that the state doesn’t use taxpayer funds to support union-busting activities.
Dues Deduction Reform: HB364/SB 110 changes the PEBA to make it consistent with the Janus v. AFSCME decision regarding union dues.
Bargaining Protection: HB364/SB 110 guarantees the right of parties to bargain changes except where parties have executed a “clear and unmistakable waiver” to bargain certain issues.
Duty of Fair Representation: HB364/SB 110 standardizes guidelines for members to take action against their union if they feel they haven’t been fairly represented.
HB 364 now heads to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to be signed into law.
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A retired teacher, Senate Majority Whip Mimi Stewart has served two years as chair of the Legislative Education Study Committee. Prior to becoming a state Senator, Stewart served 20 years in the New Mexico House of Representatives, where she chaired the Education Committee. Stewart lives in Albuquerque. Learn more at www.mimistewart.org and follow her on Twitter @Sen_MimiStewart and on Instagram @mimistewart9.
Stewart Bill to Protect Public Employees Passes Judiciary, Headed to Full Senate
SB 110, Sen. Majority Whip Mimi Stewart’s revised bill to improve and update the Public Employees Bargaining Act to help public employees better negotiate contracts with the state, passed the Senate Judiciary Committee on Friday. The revisions to the bill will level the playing field to help public employees better negotiate contracts with public sector employers.
Negotiations Produced Revived Bill, Strengthens Worker Protections
SB 110, Sen. Majority Whip Mimi Stewart’s revised bill to improve and update the Public Employees Bargaining Act to help public employees better negotiate contracts with the state, passed the Senate Judiciary Committee on Friday. The revisions to the bill will level the playing field to help public employees better negotiate contracts with public sector employers.
“Public employees—from teachers and truck drivers to sanitation workers and police officers—deserve the best possible process to negotiate fair wages and safe workplaces,” Stewart said. “By amending the Public Employees Bargaining Act in this way, we are streamlining processes and respecting workers. That makes sense for public employees, their employers and all New Mexicans.”
The bill had originally been tabled in the Senate Judiciary Committee this week, but was brought off the table by a vote of the committee after input from and negotiations with stakeholders including the New Mexico Association of Counties, Municipal League, school districts, school boards and school superintendents.
“Unions are always ready to come to the table to reach agreements that move workers forward,” Stewart said. “I am incredibly grateful to the Association of Counties, the Municipal League and education leaders like Santa Fe Public Schools Superintendent Veronica Garcia for also sitting down and working in good faith to make this bill better so that it benefits all parties.”
SB 110 is the first update to the PEBA since it became law in 2003. It makes the following key improvements:
“Concerted Activity” Protection: SB 110 adds this critical legal language to PEBA to protect activities like talking with co-workers about wages or working conditions; circulating a petition asking for better hours; participating in a refusal to work in unsafe conditions; joining with co-workers to talk directly to the employer or to the media about problems in the workplace.
Labor Board Restructuring: SB 110 creates a timeline and process for streamlining the labor board structure in the state. Currently there are 52 local labor laws and boards.
Fair Elections: Under SB 110, unions will have equal access to employees to allow fair information to ensure that employees hear from both sides in a workplace election.
Misuse of Public Funds: SB 110 ensures that the state doesn’t use taxpayer funds to support union-busting activities.
Dues Deduction Reform: SB 110 changes the PEBA to make it consistent with the Janus v. AFSCME decision regarding union dues.
Bargaining Protection: SB 110 guarantees the right of parties to bargain changes except where parties have executed a “clear and unmistakable waiver” to bargain certain issues.
Duty of Fair Representation: SB 110 standardizes guidelines for members to take action against their union if they feel they haven’t been fairly represented.
“Public employees make our state work,” Stewart said. “We need to ensure that the Public Employees Bargaining Act works for them. The common-sense updates provided by SB 110 protect our employees and our state.”
SB 110 now heads to the full Senate for a vote.
Bill to Re-instate Solar Tax Credit Heads to Full Senate for Vote
Sen. Mimi Stewart’s legislation to re-instate the solar tax credit in New Mexico, which Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has listed among her legislative priorities this session, is now headed to the full Senate for a vote after passing the Senate Finance Committee on Friday evening.
Sen. Mimi Stewart’s legislation to re-instate the solar tax credit in New Mexico, which Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has listed among her legislative priorities this session, is now headed to the full Senate for a vote after passing the Senate Finance Committee on Friday evening.
“Solar energy is clean, renewable energy that allows families to heat their homes and cook their meals without hurting the natural environment,” Stewart said. “The solar tax credit will help more New Mexico families invest in solar—which is an investment in our state’s future.”
SB 29, which Stewart is cosponsoring with Rep. Matthew McQueen, specifically allows for New Mexico taxpayers who install a photovoltaic energy system in their home, small business or small farm after January 1, 2020, to apply for a tax credit up to 10 percent of the cost of the system they installed. The tax credit would not exceed $6,000 per household and the annual budget cap for the credit is $8 million. The credit will be available to consumers for 8 years, sun-setting in 2028.
“Making solar energy more affordable for New Mexicans makes sense,” Stewart said. “Families, farmers and small-business owners want to invest in clean, renewable energy. This straightforward tax credit will help them do that.”
New Mexico previously had a similar solar tax credit, but it expired at the end of 2016 and the Legislature has not re-instated it. Stewart sponsored legislation last session to reinstate the solar tax credit, but, despite support, it didn’t make it to the governor’s desk to be signed into law.
“It’s time to put the solar tax credit back in place,” Stewart said. “This investment in solar energy will allow thousands more New Mexicans to install solar energy systems. That means lower energy for bills for them and more jobs in the clean-energy economy.”
Stewart Bill to Stop Wildlife Trafficking in New Mexico Headed to Final Vote in House
Sen. Mimi Stewart’s Wildlife Trafficking Act is headed to its final vote by the full House of Representatives after it passed the House Judiciary Committee 10-2 on Saturday. Passage of the bill has an increased urgency this year as the devastating outbreak of COVID-19, a lethal strain of the coronavirus, has been linked to the sale of wildlife in a market in China.
Urgency for Ending Illegal Animal Sale Increased by Coronavirus Outbreak Linked to Wildlife in Market
Sen. Mimi Stewart’s Wildlife Trafficking Act is headed to its final vote by the full House of Representatives after it passed the House Judiciary Committee 10-2 on Saturday. Passage of the bill has an increased urgency this year as the devastating outbreak of COVID-19, a lethal strain of the coronavirus, has been linked to the sale of wildlife in a market in China.
“Wildlife trafficking is having devastating impacts on animals and human communities,” Stewart said. “We cannot ignore the fact that the illegal sale of wildlife is driving species to extinction and creating dangerous outbreaks of disease that are killing hundreds of people around the world.”
Specifically, SB 75 makes it easier to crack down on the sale of endangered species and their parts—such as certain shark fins or rhinoceros tusks. The bill also creates civil penalties for wildlife trafficking, with fines not to exceed $10,000 or three times the value of the items trafficked—whichever is greater.
“Traffickers are in the business they’re in because they want the money,” Stewart said. “Stiff financial penalties will hit them where it hurts. We need to take the profit out of killing endangered species.”
The Wildlife Trafficking Act only deals with the intentional sale of these animal products. Possession is not affected by the legislation. As a result, New Mexicans who may own antiques or heirlooms that contain ivory or other animal parts covered by the bill will not be impacted.
“This bill is narrowly focused on the cracking down on the multibillion-dollar wildlife-trafficking black market,” Stewart said. “The goal of the Wildlife Trafficking Act is to crack down on an industry that is quickly and illegally killing off endangered species around the world.”
Wildlife trafficking is an issue in New Mexico because the El Paso Port of Entry is one of the top places for trafficked materials to enter the United States. Illegal goods then pass through New Mexico as they are distributed and sold illegally around the country.
SB 75 now heads to the full House of Representatives for a vote before going to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to be signed into law.
Stewart Bill to Stop Wildlife Trafficking in New Mexico Passes Senate, Headed to House
Sen. Mimi Stewart’s Wildlife Trafficking Act is headed to the House of Representatives after it passed the Senate on Saturday by a vote of 22-9, bringing New Mexico one step closer to stopping the trafficking of endangered species and animal parts, which primarily enter the state through the El Paso Port of Entry.
Sen. Mimi Stewart’s Wildlife Trafficking Act is headed to the House of Representatives after it passed the Senate on Saturday by a vote of 22-9, bringing New Mexico one step closer to stopping the trafficking of endangered species and animal parts, which primarily enter the state through the El Paso Port of Entry.
“Right next door to us, El Paso is one of the top-five ports of entry for wildlife trafficking in the nation,” Stewart said. “Much of that contraband is moved through New Mexico as it’s distributed, illicitly, around the country. We’re better than that. With up to 100 elephants a day being killed globally for their tusks, New Mexico needs to do its part to stop wildlife trafficking.”
SB 75 makes it easier to crack down on the sale of endangered species and their parts—such as certain shark fins or rhinoceros tusks. The bill also creates civil penalties for wildlife trafficking, with fines not to exceed $10,000 or three times the value of the items trafficked—whichever is greater.
“Traffickers are in the business they’re in because they want the money,” Stewart said. “Stiff financial penalties will hit them where it hurts. We need to take the profit out of killing endangered species.”
The Wildlife Trafficking Act only deals with the intentional sale of these animal products. Possession is not affected by the legislation. As a result, New Mexicans who may own antiques or heirlooms that contain ivory or other animal parts covered by the bill will not be impacted.
“This bill is narrowly focused on the cracking down on the multibillion-dollar wildlife-trafficking black market,” Stewart said. “The goal of the Wildlife Trafficking Act is to crack down on an industry that is quickly and illegally killing off endangered species around the world.”
Stewart Bill to Stop Wildlife Trafficking in New Mexico Headed to Full Senate for Vote
Sen. Mimi Stewart’s The Wildlife Trafficking Act is headed to the Senate floor for a vote after it passed the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday, bringing New Mexico one step closer to stopping the trafficking of endangered species and animal parts, which primarily enter the state through the El Paso Port of Entry.
Sen. Mimi Stewart’s The Wildlife Trafficking Act is headed to the Senate floor for a vote after it passed the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday, bringing New Mexico one step closer to stopping the trafficking of endangered species and animal parts, which primarily enter the state through the El Paso Port of Entry.
“Right next door to us, El Paso is one of the top-five ports of entry for wildlife trafficking in the nation,” Stewart said. “Much of that contraband is moved through New Mexico as it’s distributed, illicitly, around the country. We’re better than that. With up to 100 elephants a day being killed globally for their tusks, New Mexico needs to do its part to stop wildlife trafficking.”
SB 75 makes it easier to crack down on the sale of endangered species and their parts—such as certain shark fins or rhinoceros tusks. The bill also creates civil penalties for wildlife trafficking, with fines up to $25,000.
“Traffickers are in the business they’re in because they want the money,” Stewart said. “Stiff financial penalties will hit them where it hurts. We need to take the profit out of killing endangered species.”
The Wildlife Trafficking Act only deals with the intentional sale of these animal products. Possession is not affected by the legislation. As a result, New Mexicans who may own antiques or heirlooms that contain ivory or other animal parts covered by the bill will not be impacted.
“This bill is narrowly focused on the cracking down on the multibillion-dollar wildlife-trafficking black market,” Stewart said. “The goal of the Wildlife Trafficking Act is to crack down on an industry that is quickly and illegally killing off endangered species around the world.”
Bill to Re-instate Solar Tax Credit Passes First Committee
Sen. Mimi Stewart’s legislation to re-instate the solar tax credit in New Mexico, which Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has listed among her legislative priorities this session, passed the Senate Corporations and Transportation Committee on Monday, by a vote of 7-2.
Sen. Mimi Stewart’s legislation to re-instate the solar tax credit in New Mexico, which Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has listed among her legislative priorities this session, passed the Senate Corporations and Transportation Committee on Monday, by a vote of 7-2.
“Solar energy is clean, renewable energy that allows families to heat their homes and cook their meals without hurting the natural environment,” Stewart said. “The solar tax credit will help more New Mexico families invest in solar—which is an investment in our state’s future.”
SB 29, which Stewart is cosponsoring with Rep. Matthew McQueen, specifically allows for New Mexico taxpayers who install a photovoltaic energy system in their home, small business or small farm after January 1, 2020, to apply for a tax credit up to 10 percent of the cost of the system they installed. The tax credit would not exceed $6,000 per household and the annual budget cap for the credit is $10 million. The credit will be available to consumers for 10 years, sun-setting in 2030.
“Making solar energy more affordable for New Mexicans makes sense,” Stewart said. “Families, farmers and small-business owners want to invest in clean, renewable energy. This straightforward tax credit will help them do that.”
New Mexico previously had a similar solar tax credit, but it expired at the end of 2016 and the Legislature has not re-instated it. Stewart sponsored legislation last session to reinstate the solar tax credit, but, despite support, it didn’t make it to the governor’s desk to be signed into law.
“It’s time to put the solar tax credit back in place,” Stewart said. “This investment in solar energy will allow thousands more New Mexicans to install solar energy systems. That means lower energy for bills for them and more jobs in the clean-energy economy.”
SB 29 now goes to the Senate Finance Committee for consideration.
Stewart Bill to Help Educators Better Teach Reading Unanimously Passes Education Committee
The Senate Education Committee on Monday unanimously passed Sen. Mimi Stewart’s bill to create a voluntary professional development program to help teachers better work with students learning to read.
SB 74 Creates Voluntary Professional Development, Targets Young At-Risk Students
The Senate Education Committee on Monday unanimously passed Sen. Mimi Stewart’s bill to create a voluntary professional development program to help teachers better work with students learning to read.
“When a child learns to read, the world opens up to them,” Stewart said. “Having taught reading myself for years, though, I know that students and educators face many hurdles. By creating this unique literacy education learning opportunity for teachers, we will help teachers master the most up-to-date techniques so that more of our kids can succeed.”
SB 74 directs the Department of Education to develop an early reading initiative for the state. The bill also appropriates $3 million for the department to create a voluntary professional development program to help New Mexico teachers improve their literacy education skills. The legislation says that the initiative must be scientifically based and must incorporate ongoing assessment. The professional development component must also support teachers working with English-language-learners and will priorities teachers in elementary schools with a high-number of at risk students.
“By supporting teachers with a smart, scientifically based approach to literacy education we will be helping them to teach and helping our students to learn,” Stewart said, “and by prioritizing teachers working with at-risk populations, this program reflects our state’s commitment to helping all students.”