Deborah Martinez

Some Critically Ill Residents Could End Up Paying More for Health Care

Deborah Martinez — Thu, 23 May 2013 13:54:18 +0000

Some critically ill New Mexicans could end up paying more for their health care this year.

Almost 16 hundred New Mexicans are slated to be shifted out of a state high risk medical insurance pool into a new federal health coverage plan on July 1st. That's because the federal government is cutting funding for the state program to just over 12 million dollars.

But the new plan would cost more for the patients, many of whom suffer from HIV/AIDS, cancer, and diabetes -chronic diseases that are often quite expensive to treat.

New Mexico Will Get Hybrid Health Exchange

Deborah Martinez — Fri, 17 May 2013 23:40:01 +0000

UPDATE: Exchange board chairman J.R Damron said Monday that New Mexico will focus on having a state-run insurance exchange ready for small businesses this fall and will use a federally operated exchange to offer insurance coverage to individuals for the next year.

Report: Jobs Package Will Do What Cutting Taxes Can't

Deborah Martinez — Tue, 14 May 2013 23:08:29 +0000

New Mexico continues to be sluggish in its recovery from the recession and according to a new report, the state lacks over 100,000 jobs.

Long-Term Housing Project Expands With Historic Santa Fe Inn

Deborah Martinez — Fri, 10 May 2013 23:59:04 +0000

Moving into a new home is an exciting event, but for people who have experienced homelessness, the joy is especially poignant. In Santa Fe, the renovated Stage Coach Motor Inn is preserving its classic nicho and viga architecture and working to preserve a sense of permanency for some new tenants.

Mark Olson can't seem to get the smile off his face, and he has a lot to be thankful for - not so previously.

Long-Term Housing Project Expands With Historic Santa Fe Inn

Deborah Martinez — Fri, 10 May 2013 16:52:50 +0000

Moving into a new home is an exciting event, but for people who have experienced homelessness, the joy is especially poignant. In Santa Fe, the renovated Stage Coach Motor Inn IS preserving its classic nicho and viga architecture ... and working to preserve a sense of permanency for some new tenants. KUNM's Poverty and Public Health reporter Deborah Martinez has the story.

(amby beep beep of wheelchair):

Mark Olson can't seem to get the smile off his face, and he has a lot to be thankful for.

Last-Minute Bill Increases Corporate Tax Credits

Deborah Martinez — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 20:40:43 +0000

This year's 60-day session of the New Mexico State Legislature is over, with some surprises revealed in the final hours.

Human Trafficking Bill Signed

Deborah Martinez — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 17:07:21 +0000

House Votes Down Teacher Merit Pay, Sends $5.9B Budget To Gov's Desk

Deborah Martinez — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 23:11:49 +0000

The House passed the Senate version of a budget bill today that includes raises for public employees. But the measure leaves out teacher merit pay, one of Governor Susana Martinez's initiatives, and she has threatened to veto the plan.

Students Lobby Lawmaker On Oil And Gas Bills

Deborah Martinez — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 17:03:54 +0000

With less than two weeks left in this Legislative session, lobbyists and citizens are flocking to the Roundhouse in Santa Fe for a chance to speak to lawmakers about issues they care about. KUNM's Deborah Martinez reports on how that process plays out in the hallways.

Lawmakers Eye New Poll On Marijuana Laws

Deborah Martinez — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 15:33:27 +0000

Several bills aimed at reducing penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana are scheduled for hearings this week in Santa Fe. Advocates are using a new poll to illustrate that a majority of New Mexicans favor the idea.

RETA Bill Makes It Through NM House

Deborah Martinez — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 18:18:30 +0000

The House of Representatives today approved a bill that establishes a fund to expand the state's development of solar and wind power.

House Bill 242 would provide general fund money to the quasi-government agency known as the New Mexico Renewable Energy Transmission Authority, or RETA. Sponsor Bill McCamley is a freshman Democrat from Doña Ana County:

"We are capable of producing a lot more power, we are capable of doing more in wind and solar in this state, which would be very good for our economy and very good for our environment. We just don't have those

Same-Sex Marriage Bills Dies In Committee

Deborah Martinez — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 14:56:49 +0000

Sen. Heinrich On Immigration And Gun Safety

Deborah Martinez — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 15:46:03 +0000

New Mexico's congressional delegation is on a two-week break, and KUNM's Deborah Martinez recently sat down with US Senator Martin Heinrich to discuss hot topics in Washington. Here is part two of her interview with Senator Heinrich, on immigration reform and gun safety.

US Sen Martin Heinrich Tackles Sequestration

Deborah Martinez — Sat, 16 Feb 2013 02:03:21 +0000

U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich addressed a joint session of state legislators in Santa Fe Friday about several challenges facing him and his Congressional colleagues.

Compromise Gun Background Check Bill Could Reach House Floor This Week

Deborah Martinez — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 00:52:01 +0000

The momentum is picking up for legislation that would tighten background checks on gun sales, and it could be brought to the floor of the House this week. The compromise bill has some Republican lawmakers' and the governor's support.

GOP Senator Introduces Bill To Help Homeless

Deborah Martinez — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 13:13:35 +0000

New Mexico's homeless programs that help people get a fresh start could get a funding boost if a legislative bill wins approval in Santa Fe.

Senate Bill 50 is sponsored by Albuquerque Republican Sander Rue. He says as a member of the Mortgage Finance Authority interim committee, he wanted to do something to help homeless people and families hit hard by the recession.

Road Work Ahead, If New Proposal Passes

Deborah Martinez — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 00:52:11 +0000

A bill that would provide money for incomplete road construction projects is moving through committees at the Roundhouse. The measure is concurrent with a study showing New Mexico's roads and bridges are in poor condition.

Gay Marriage Ballot Proposals Pass House Committees

Deborah Martinez — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 11:29:46 +0000

Lawmakers on the House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee have approved a resolution that would let voters decide if same-sex marriage should be legal in New Mexico.

Immigrants Rally For Reform In Santa Fe

Deborah Martinez — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 12:03:51 +0000

Dozens of immigrants and supporters of their cause rallied at the state capitol today. They applauded the national movement by Congress and the President towards immigration reform, and they spoke in favor of New Mexico's law that grants driver's licenses to undocumented immigrants.

Congressman Ben Lujan Part 2: VAWA, Debt Ceiling

Deborah Martinez — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 23:41:22 +0000

We've been hearing from Third Congressional District Congressional Representative Ben Ray Lujan this week. KUNM's statehouse reporter Deborah Martinez visited with him at his office, and she has part two of her interview.

3rd District Congressman Ben Lujan on Immigration Reform, Guns

Deborah Martinez — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 11:27:57 +0000

Congressman Ben R. Lujan is spending some time in his district that includes the northern and eastern parts of the state. Tuesday he'll address state legislators. he also dropped by the studio to talk with our statehouse reporter Deborah Martinez. Here's part one of that interview.

Compromise In Sight On Licenses?

Deborah Martinez — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 00:33:43 +0000

Several bills have been introduced at the state capitol that would change the law granting driver's licenses to undocumented immigrants. It's unclear whether the governor, who has supported all-out repeal in the past, now wants to compromise.

PRC Reform Bills Introduced In House And Senate

Deborah Martinez — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 12:28:41 +0000

Now that voters have approved constitutional changes to the state's Public Regulation Commission, lawmakers have introduced bills that will spell out exactly how PRC reform will take place.

Santa Fe Buys Back More Than 200 Guns In Initial Round

Deborah Martinez — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 16:51:11 +0000

Santa Fe police bought more than 200 guns from people who withstood sub-freezing weather in a long line last weekend. City leaders hailed the first of several planned gun buyback days as a success.

Here's how the program works: Gun owners voluntarily turn in their guns and get paid up to $300 per weapon, no questions asked. Police Chief Ray Rael said as a result of the day's haul, three highly lethal assault weapons were taken in and another was a stolen assault rifle. Others included relics and high-capacity handguns.

Legislative Preview: Education

Deborah Martinez — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 17:59:54 +0000

Legislation dealing with education will be a hot topic for state lawmakers when they convene their 60-day session next week. Teacher pay, holding failing kids back, and charter schools are among measures to be debated.

Lawmakers Eye Public Funding of Campaigns

Deborah Martinez — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 23:06:21 +0000

Almost four-million dollars in PAC money was spent on last month's election, some state lawmakers are making election reform a top priority in the upcoming legislative session.

Many In State Senate Hope For Civility This Upcoming Session

Deborah Martinez — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 13:53:52 +0000

Legislative budget hearings are underway at the state capitol this week, as lawmakers get ready for next month's 60-day session in Santa Fe. Here is the second of two legislative preview articles - this time a look at the new state senate.

New Mexico House Set To Battle Governor Over Budget

Deborah Martinez — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 15:09:12 +0000

Next month marks the start of a 60-day session of the New Mexico State Legislature. The House of Representatives is gearing up for new leadership and newly elected members.

The November election brought new faces to the state legislature - 21 of them, including 16 new House members. Representative Larry Larrañaga is a 19-year veteran Republican from Albuquerque's northeast heights. He notes there will be fundamental changes in committees and a new Speaker of the House - the body's most powerful position:

Santa Fe Mayor Leads Coalition to Ensure Funding of Los Alamos

Deborah Martinez — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 11:56:12 +0000

A group of elected northern New Mexico officials is lobbying the region's Congressional delegation for funding for Los Alamos National Laboratory. But some longstanding environmental groups are wary of their purpose.

The group calls themselves the Regional Coalition of LANL Communities, representing seven cities and counties from Santa Fe north to Taos, and the pueblo of Ohkay Owingeh.

State Engineer Makes Agency's Budget Request to Legislative Finance Committee

Deborah Martinez — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 15:39:24 +0000

New Mexico's State Engineer made his agency's budget request to the Legislative Finance Committee on Tuesday. The requested money would help reduce the state's backlog of water rights adjudication, and deal with current and future droughts.