LWV New Mexico Programs
| Standing Committees: | Action Committee • Education Committee • Fair Districts for New Mexico • Health Care Committee • Immigration Committee • JEDI: JUSTICE, EQUITY, DIVERSITY, INCLUSION • Environment Committee |
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| Recent Studies and Programs: | Nuclear Power Issues • Tribal Law • Nuclear Waste Storage • History and 100th Anniversary • Others (Judicial Selection, Transfer of Federal Public Lands, Health Care, Charter School Regulation, Reducing Alcohol-Related Deaths, Land Use, Mental Health Care Services) |
Standing Committees:
Action Committee
League Government Positions
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The Action Committee tracks legislation during legislative sessions and keeps an eye on potential legislation throughout the year. LWVNM may lobby in support of or in opposition to specific pieces of legislation provided that LWVNM has a position at the state-wide or national level that is relevant. The Action Committee coordinates the lobbying activities of several of the other LWVNM committees. To join the Action Committee, please contact Richard or Barbara. LWVNM needs individuals able to track bills via the legislative website and keep others updated on their progress, and those willing to "lobby from their living room". People who are able to attend committee meetings in Santa Fe or on Zoom at short notice are also needed.
To receive regular updates, please join the Action mailing list. The Action committee also has regular meetings during the legislative session, open to all members, to discuss bills we're supporting or opposing.
Education Committee
LWVNM Education PositionCo-Chairs: Meredith Machen and Eileen VanWie.
The Education Committee follows developments in federal and state policies year around and advocates based on our position.
Fair Districts for New Mexico
LWVNM is spearheading Fair Districts for New Mexico, a coalition of many organizations advocating for districting reform in New Mexico.
The LWVNM has an Advocacy Statement on Redistricting.
Health Care Committee
LWVNM Healthcare Positions(Judy Williams, Dick Mason, Akkana Peck)
The Health Care Committee keeps track of ongoing developments in health care legislation and advocates for or against health care related bills in the legislature based on our positions.
See also the national LWV Health Care Reform (HCR4US) website.
Immigration Committee
LWVNM Immigration PositionChair: Meredith Machen.
The Immigration Committee follows developments in federal and state policies year around and advocates based on our position.
JEDI: JUSTICE, EQUITY, DIVERSITY, INCLUSION
(Coordinator: Irene Epp;
Membership: Rebecca Álvarez, Katie Christianson, Brittany Dutton-Leyda,
Donna Sandoval, Joanna Velasquez)
JEDI is dedicated to ensuring that the LWVNM is always welcoming and actively supports full participating membership from all parts of New Mexico society, especially those not traditionally affiliated with the LWVNM JEDI fosters activist membership in the LWVNM that opens doors to dynamic, nonpartisan participation in civic life - leading to improvements in justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in all dimensions of policy and law in New Mexico.
Environment Committee
League Natural Resource Positions(Co-chairs: Barbara Calef and Judy Williams)
The Natural Resources Committee follows current developments in the state related to natural resources year-round and advocates on the basis of our position.
Recent Studies and Activities
Nuclear Issues (2023)
This study, begun in 2023 and led by Karen Douglas, looked at nuclear power, on which the national position is unclear. We were unable to reach consensus on a position to be recommended at the LWVUS Convention in 2024, but we do have a set of Summaries of the LWVNM 2023 Nuclear Issues Study which other Leagues may find useful.
The study focused on efforts to evaluate the advantages/disadvantages of commercial nuclear power as a major contributor to clean energy in the United States and promote reliance on factual information sources when formulating future energy policies. The study reviewed the experiences in nuclear energy production worldwide, and evaluated international successes that could be applied domestically and address barriers to U.S. adoption of these measures. The study was envisioned as being expedited with a goal of encouraging concurrence by other state Leagues and LWVUS.
For more information, see the Nuclear Issues Study page.
Tribal Law (2021-2023)
At the April 2021 State convention, LWVNM proposed a one-year study of the pros and cons of codifying federal Indian law at the state level, considering what is the best option for preservation of tribal sovereignty. The study was adopted at convention with unanimous approval. The first objective of this study is to educate ourselves as a League about the complexities of enforcing federal Indian law as well as the complexities of tribal sovereignty. The second objective is to identify possible legislative solutions for supporting tribal sovereignty and tribes at the state level. The third objective is to develop a position for advocacy. All League members are invited to participate in the study.
The study period was extended in 2022. The study was initially led by Rebecca Álvarez and was completed in 2023 by Judy Williams.
More details: LWVNM Tribal Law study.
Nuclear Waste Storage
Spent nuclear fuel from the 99 commercial nuclear reactors in the US is currently being stored in 74 locations in 34 states. Two sites are currently being considered for interim storage: Andrews County, TX, which is about 10 mi from Hobbs, NM; and the Eddy Lee Energy Alliance, halfway between Carlsbad and Hobbs.
Originally conceived as a study, the Nuclear Waste Storage committee has become an advocacy committee for safety in nuclear waste storage, based the LWVUS national positions.
Nuclear Waste Storage Study links.
Karen Douglas, Chair
History and 100th Anniversary
2020 is the LWV's 100th Anniversary. LWVNM celebrated its 100th Anniversary with a gala at the Capitol in February 2020. We will be celebrating Women's Vote Centennial with a car parade in Santa Fe on Sunday, August 23, 2-3 pm, and virtually with other organizations on August 26, 4-7 pm. For more information, contact the Special Projects committee.
Broadband
The LWVNM hosted the Broadband page for the LWV Rural Caucus, which successfully advocated for a Digital Equity position at the 2022 LWV National Convention, and we support broadband for all as part of our high-speed internet position.
Older Studies
- Judicial Selection (2019-2022): The LWVNM study of the qualification and selection of judges of the lower courts of New Mexico, begun in 2019, was ended in 2023. In the 2023 Legislative session, League member/State Representative Christine Chandler introduced HB 113, Magistrate Court Changes, that would amend the eligibility requirements for persons seeking election as Magistrate Judges. Passage of this bill would have made the study unnecessary. The bill did not make it fully through the legislative process, but LWVNM could advocate accordingly through our current Administration of Justice position, and the study leader, Suzanne Ronneau, has left the state.
- Transfer of Federal Public Lands (2017-2019): a two-year study of the pros and cons of transferring ownership of federal public lands to the state. The study was led by Barbara Calef and resulted in a new Transfer of Federal Public Lands position, which was taken to the National Convention and adopted by LWVUS as a national position.
- Health Care (2017-2019): A mini-study that looked at issues like transparency in pricing, cost-shifting and "surprise billing", bankruptcies as a result of health care costs, and the effects that might arise from a repeal of the ACA. The study was led by Akkana Peck and resulted in minor changes to our existing Healthcare position.
- Charter School Regulations (2017-2019): reviewed how charter schools are regulated and what impact their authorization has on the sufficiency of funding for traditional public schools. The study was led by Meredith Machen, and resulted in additions to our Education position.
- Reducing Alcohol-Related Deaths (2011-2013): Alcohol-related damage is not confined to the highway. The highest number of alcohol-related deaths in New Mexico is due to chronic liver disease. This study, led by Jan and Olin Bray, LWVCNM, resulted in a new Alcohol position.
- Land Use (2011-2013) The study committee created an extensive new policy on Natural Resources, which now incorporates the Water position. The study was done by Lee Lockie, Barbara Calef and Judy Williams.
- Mental Health Care Services: The committee, led by Shelly Shepherd, LWVCNM, examined mental health services provided by counties in New Mexico. The study resulted in a set of recommendations, but no revisions in the existing position.
Some older studies are described in our Program History.