Welcome to New Mexico Black Caucus
PRESIDENT'S CORNER
Supreme Court Decisions Cause Concern
On Thursday, June 29, 2023, afterthe Supreme Court struck down affirmative action in college admissions, saying race cannot be a factor. Many people of color questioned the Court’s decision.
When people like Heman Sweat tried to attend law school, race was the primary barrier to his admission to the University of Texas. When Medger Evers could not attend law
school at the University of Mississippi School of Law, race was the primary barrier that prohibited his admission.When Barbara Jordan, a woman who became a member of Congress, was forced to become a member of the inaugural class at Texas Southern University, a Black college hastily created by the Texas legislature to avoid having to integrate the University of Texas, race was a barrier to where she could obtain her education.
WE NEED YOU IN 2023!
Membership Renewal
Our Black Caucus, with the help of every member, is helping to develop strong policies for the benefit of every person in New Mexico. We look forward to your continued participation in the great work of the New Mexico Black Caucus where we are helping to build a state guided by strong collaborations.
Donations and Dues
Thank you for your generous donations and/or dues which enable us to achieve our purpose and goals.
Happy Fourth of July!
Caucus Monthly Meetings
July 27, 2023 at 6:00 PM via Zoom
(Submit ideas on matters you would like to see the Caucus address at meeting)
__________________________________________
Caucus Elections
July 27, 2023
* Looking for your talents to keep a great organization on the move.
All positions opern.
Upcoming Event
Colson Whitehead - Pulitzer Prize winning Author
Colson Whitehead, two-time Pulitzer Prize winner and bestselling author of “Harlem Shuffle” and “The Underground Railroad”, will be in conversation with Albuquerque poet Hakim Bellamy at the KiMo, July 27, 2023.
State and National News
ABQ City Council & School Board Elections Open
NM Officials Respond to Supreme Court Redistricting Decision
Supreme Court kills Plan to Erase Student Debt
Democratic applicants needed to fill open seats
Supreme Court kills Plan to Erase Student Debt
NM Officials Respond to Supreme Court Redistricting Decision
Supreme Court kills Plan to Erase Student Debt
By MARK SHERMAN - Associated Press
A sharply divided Supreme Court has ruled that the Biden administration overstepped its authority in trying to cancel or reduce student loans for millions of Americans. Conservative justices were in the majority in Friday’s 6-3 decision that effectively killed the $400 billion plan that President Joe Biden announced last year. Borrowers are on the hook for repayments that are supposed to resume by late summer. The court held that the administration needs Congress’ endorsement before undertaking so costly a program and rejected arguments that a bipartisan 2003 law dealing with student loans provided the authority Biden claimed. Read more
NM Officials Respond to Supreme Court Redistricting Decision
NM Officials Respond to Supreme Court Redistricting Decision
NM Officials Respond to Supreme Court Redistricting Decision
By Nicole Maxwell,
The U.S. Supreme Court rejected on Tuesday an attempt to exempt state legislatures from federal judicial review for redistricting issues.
The Supreme Court rejected the “independent state legislature theory” in the Moore V. Harper (2003) case on a 6-3 vote.
The theory states that state legislatures have “exclusive and independent authority” to draw federal congressional maps” based on the U.S.
New Mexico gets $675 million to Expand Broadband
Reproductive Groups Worry about Merger of Catholic-based Hospital
NM Officials Respond to Supreme Court Redistricting Decision
By Nicole Maxwell, Jun 27, 2023 12:00 am
New Mexico will receive $675 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to expand broadband access across the state.
“It is no accident that this funding made up the largest percentage of the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law; broadband projects are incredibly expensive and a vital part (of) every aspect of our lives,” Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said in a press release Monday. “This funding empowers New Mexico to continue to bridge the digital divide and create equal opportunities for our residents.
Reproductive Groups Worry about Merger of Catholic-based Hospital
Reproductive Groups Worry about Merger of Catholic-based Hospital
Reproductive Groups Worry about Merger of Catholic-based Hospital
By Susan Dunlap, Jun 30, 2023 12:05 am
The American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico and Bold Futures sent a letter to Jim Heckert, chief executive officer of Gerald Champion Regional Medical Center, expressing concern about the proposed merger of the Alamogordo-based hospital with Catholic-based Christus Health.
The ACLU-NM and Bold Futures outline several concerns regarding the proposed merger which, according to the letter, is set to take place July 1.
Legislators hear about importance of Water Infrastructure
Reproductive Groups Worry about Merger of Catholic-based Hospital
Reproductive Groups Worry about Merger of Catholic-based Hospital
By Hannah Grover, Jun 28, 2023 12:05 am
Elephant Butte Irrigation District Manager Gary Esslinger showed legislators a graph on Tuesday depicting the amount of water released and stored in Elephant Butte Reservoir over the decades.
“The graph that you see here is what is represented as a hydrographic, hydrologic history of the (Rio Grande) Project,” he said. “You can also call it a climate change pattern. You can also call it a living water testimony.
Upcoming Events
Coloson Whitehead and Hakim Bellamy
Colson Whitehead, two-time Pulitzer Prize winner and bestselling author of “Harlem Shuffle” and “The Underground Railroad”, will be in conversation with Albuquerque poet Hakim Bellamy at the KiMo, July 27, 2023.
Legislative Goals
Bennie Hargrove Gun Safety Act - Passed 2023
Bennie Hargrove Gun Safety Act - Passed 2023
Bennie Hargrove Gun Safety Act - Passed 2023
The legislation to provide alternative methods for children to testify who have been abused, other than being in the same room as their abuser, traumatizing these children again and again.
Civil Rights Act - Passed 2021
Bennie Hargrove Gun Safety Act - Passed 2023
Bennie Hargrove Gun Safety Act - Passed 2023
Permitting an individual to bring a claim against a public body or person acting on behalf of or under the authority of a public body for a violation of the individual's rights, Privileges or immunities arising pursuant to the Bill of Rights of the Constitution of New Mexico.
Black Education - Passed 2021
Bennie Hargrove Gun Safety Act - Passed 2023
No Discrimination for Hair - Passed 2021
Creating Department Liaison; creating an advisory council; providing powers and duties; requiring racial sensitivity and anti-racism training or professional development for school personnel.
No Discrimination for Hair - Passed 2021
Moratorium on Private Jails - Failed 2021
No Discrimination for Hair - Passed 2021
Prohibiting discipline, discrimination or disparate treatment in schools treatment in schools based on the hair or culture headdress of a student.
Moratorium on Private Jails - Failed 2021
Moratorium on Private Jails - Failed 2021
Moratorium on Private Jails - Failed 2021
Help ensure that previously incarcerated individuals had access to voting after they completed their prison sentences.
Capping Interest Rates
Moratorium on Private Jails - Failed 2021
Moratorium on Private Jails - Failed 2021
Legislation to act on capping interest rates so low income families could have access to financial resources at reasonable rates.