Here’s a look at today’s headlines:
The local Philanthopic Educational Organization chapters AG and BR announce their first Nancy Champlin P.E.O. Scholarship. The scholarship will be awarded to a local Grant County High School senior girl who wishes to pursue higher education in the fall of 2015. Applicants must have a 3.4 GPA or higher to apply. Applications can be obtained from all Grant County high school guidance offices. Application deadline is April 1st. P.E.O. is an international philanthropic educational organization helping women pursue higher educations through grants, loans, and scholarships.
At the end of the legislative session:
Despite the uphill battle of getting bills passed in the Senate, there was some bipartisan support on bills that will now head to Gov. Susana Martinez. Those bills included:
- HB 2 – the FY-2016 budget, which maintains fiscal responsibility while funding some of the state’s most important priorities at the highest levels. Among other things, the budget calls for more spending on education than ever before to improve New Mexico’s schools; increased funding into programs and initiatives to protect children; and more money into economic development programs to help diversify the state’s economy.
· SB 233 – a worker’s compensation bill to cap the time someone could receive benefits at a reasonable level. This was a commonsense proposal to ensure people can receive worker’s compensation, but also protect our small businesses.
· HB 213- legislation that would require child-proof packaging for all nicotine liquid products used in e-cigarettes.
· HB 101- legislation that toughens penalties for soliciting child prostitution.
· HB 174 – legislation that will require cell phone and pager companies to issue Amber Alerts to their customers.
· SJR 19 – a gaming compact that will allow several American Indian tribes to continue operating casinos for another 22 years. The agreement promotes accountability and transparency and gives New Mexico’s tribes the tools they need to grow and thrive.
