Author: gpabqmetro

Starting a new blog post for Gateway Green Alliance webinars and other GP webinars from Green Parties across the country.

TONIGHT! 6:30 p. m. MDT Legalized Marijuana: FOLLOW THE MONEY

Legal pot is a $30B industry. That’s a lot of money…

Register on Zoom or Facebook.

Register on Zoom for Webinar. Join these knowledgeable people at 6:00 p. m. MDT

May 4th is the anniversary of the Kent State shootings. The National Guard murdered four young people protesting the war in Việt Nam.

Please join us Wednesday, March 15, 6:00 p. m., at 1111 Carlisle SE ABQ. Pizza potluck (vegan and vegetarian available) to start. Delegate selection for GPNM Annual Meeting, GPAMA Officer Election, Candidates for Public Office, Announcements, other business. Call-in, log-in option available. Let us know if you need a ride.

UPDATE and ALERT!: HB 347 (Petition Requirements) and HB 171 (Create Office of Peacebuilding) were tabled in committee. SB 53 (Storage of Radioactive Waste) and SB 180/a (Election Changes) are on the schedule for House Judiciary, Friday, March 10. Please contact your representative and request passage (vote for) of SB 53 and amendment of SB 180 to remove increased signature requirements for minor party and write-in candidates. Thank you!

From Green Council:

1. Please contact members of the HGEIAC right away and ask them to support HB 347. This bill states the petition signature requirements for candidates without regard to party affiliation. The numbers are fair and reasonable, e.g., 1000 for statewide office, 500 for congressional district, etc. A vote is expected Monday afternoon (February 20th) as it was added to the end of the schedule. Contact information is below.

Representative D. Wonda Johnson dwonda.johnson@nmlegis.gov 505-986-4433
Representative Natalie Figueroa natalie.figueroa@nmlegis.gov 505-986-4255
Representative Martin R. Zamora martin.zamora@nmlegis.gov 505-986-4211
Representative Janelle Anyanonu Janelle.Anyanonu@nmlegis.gov 505-986-4464
Representative John Block John.Block@nmlegis.gov 505-986-4220
Representative Gail Chasey gail@gailchasey.com 505-986-4777
Representative Dayan Hochman-Vigil dayan.hochman-vigil@nmlegis.gov 505-986-4327
Representative Charlotte Little Charlotte.Little@nmlegis.gov 505-986-4254
Representative William “Bill” R. Rehm bill.rehm@nmlegis.gov 505-986-4214

Topic: House Government, Elections, & Indian Affairs STARTS at 0830,
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81850374006
Or One tap mobile :
US: +12532050468,,81850374006# or +12532158782,,81850374006#
Webinar ID: 818 5037 4006

2. There are multiple bills aimed at creating some sort of open primary system or putting that question to the voters. The Joint Resolutions would put the question to voters in the form of a constitutional amendment. Note that SJR 7 would institute ranked-choice voting for the general election but does not indicate requirements for obtaining a ballot position for the primary. Based on progress to date, SB 73 (amended) is probably most likely to get through the Senate; it is unclear if it will get through the House. Soft support from Green Council.

SJR 7 OPEN PRIMARIES & RANKED CHOICE VOTING, CA in SRC, not scheduled
HJR 12 OPEN PRIMARY ELECTIONS, CA to be heard Monday Feb 20 in HGEIAC (just before HB 347)

SB 73 PRIMARY ELECTION VOTING REQUIREMENTS passed two comminttees, goes to full Senate
HB 54 BALLOT REQUESTS FOR OPEN PRIMARY ELECTIONS in HJC, not scheduled

Note, SB 175 had cleaner language than SB 73, but 73 was the one that made it out of the first committee.

¡OJO! SB 180 ELECTION CHANGES has some items in it like making home addresses of candidates confidential and creating electronic petitioning; however, it would DOUBLE the petition signature requirement for minor parties. It is in the Senate Judiciary Committee but not scheduled. We would want the party about signature requirements removed.

3. Other bills to support even if not perfect
   HJR 1 Independent Redistricting Commission, CA to be heard Monday, Feb 20, 1:30 p. m.
   House Judiciary Committee
   Please click the link below to join the webinar:
   https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81793611432
   Or One tap mobile :
   US: +12532050468,,81793611432# or +12532158782,,81793611432#
   Webinar ID: 817 9361 1432

HJR 4 ENVIRONMENTAL RIGHTS, CA still in first committee, not scheduled.
SJR 6 ENVIRONMENTAL RIGHTS, CA still in first committee, not scheduled.

SB 243 PLASTIC WASTE REDUCTION ACT c/s (committee substitute) prohibits retail establishments from using single-use plastic checkout bags. In STBTC, not scheduled yet.

SB 165 LOCAL CHOICE ENERGY ACT is generating controversy, in SJC, not scheduled. This gives municipalities, counties, and tribes the option of becoming a local energy provider subject to rules and standards. Customers would having option of remaining with the other utility provider in service. In SJC, not scheduled yet.

HB 100 WAITING PERIOD FOR FIREARM SALES imposes 14-d waiting period. In HJC, not scheduled yet.
HB 101 LARGE-CAPACITY MAGAZINES & ASSAULT WEAPONS c/s has a lot of exceptions but a step forward. In HJC, not scheduled yet.

4. Oppose HB 98 REINSTATING QUALIFIED IMMUNITY. This is still in first committee, not scheduled.

Join us for a for march to mark the second anniversary of the UN Treaty to Prohibit Nuclear Weapons. Starting location is MORNINGSIDE PARK, 299 Morningside SE (Morningside & Lead Ave.). Meet at one o’clock p. m. on Sunday, March 5, 2023. Look for the yellow banner! See flyer for more information.

VFP-ABQ meeting on Monday, February 13, 5:30 p. m. MST on Zoom

Join local peace activists and hosts, Veterans for Peace-ABQ, to welcome Alternative Radio’s David Barsamian. Call-in information and Zoom link are below:

+1 312 626 6799, Meeting ID: 893 2142 1597

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89321421597

GPAMA recommendations and comments. Please contact the legislators in the committees. Committee links will take you to contact info.

SUPPORT:

HJR1 Independent Redistricting Commission, CA

There are a few minor issues, but we want an independent commission.  This legislation would put the question to voters.

–In House Judiciary Committee, contact info at link. https://www.nmlegis.gov/Committee/Standing_Committee?CommitteeCode=HJC

HJR4 ENVIRONMENTAL RIGHTS, CA

Puts right to clear and healthy air, water, soil, and environments in Bill of Rights more specifically and extensively than Article 20, Section 21. This could use a boost.

–In HEENRC
https://nmlegis.gov/Committee/Standing_Committee?CommitteeCode=HENRC

SB99 RENT CONTROL PROHIBITION

Repeals the prohibition on rent control. Being heard NOW in Senate Health & Public Affairs

https://nmlegis.gov/Committee/Standing_Committee?CommitteeCode=SHPAC

oppose:

HB98 Reinstatement of Qualified Immunity

Removes the section in the NM Civil Rights Act that states that persons acting under color of public authority shall not enjoy the defense of qualified immunity for causing deprivation of constitutional rights, privileges, or immunities.

–In HOUSE CONSUMER & PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
https://nmlegis.gov/Committee/Standing_Committee?CommitteeCode=HCPAC

Want amended:

HB86 VOTER EDUCATION AND ELECTIONS TASK FORCE

The proposed task force excludes anyone who is not a D or R from membership. Independents and other party-affiliated voters should be part of the task force.

–to be heard in House Consumer & Public Affairs Feb 2nd
https://nmlegis.gov/Committee/Standing_Committee?CommitteeCode=HCPAC

There are several marches or rallies in January 2023:

MLK Commemorative March, Saturday, January 14, 10:00 a. m. from University & MLK NE (UNM) to Civic Plaza in downtown Albuquerque

Stop the War Machine, (UNCONFIRMED), Saturday, January 14, 11:00 a. m. to 1:00 p. m., San Mateo & Gibson SE. Close Gitmo demonstration. Note: protest was Friday, January 13th.

Stop Rio Rancho Compressed Natural Gas Storage Facility, Friday, January 20, noon to 1:00 p. m., in front of NM Gas Co. office, 7120 Wyoming NE, Albuquerque

Women’s March, Sunday, January 22, 2023, noon to 2:00 p. m., at UNM Bookstore, Central & Cornell. Civic Plaza (338 Marquette Ave. NW) in ABQ.

And the Concentration and Control of World Capital

Join the VFP-ABQ Chapter meeting to hear Peter Phillips, former Director of Project Censored and Editor of Censored, for this presentation and discussion, Monday, January 9, 2022, 5:30 p. m. MST. on Zoom.

Check out the GP Eco-Action Webinar on Plastics, recorded in November 2022 with Beyond Plastics organizer, Alexis Goldsmith. Is plastic the new coal?

The FBI raided the homes of members and officers of the Uhuru Movement and the African People’s Socialist Party in July 2022. There is an expectation of indictments in early 2023. Meet four people who were targeted in a virtual meeting on January 9, 2023, 5:00 p. m. MST. You must register to attend.