New Mexico State Senator Dede Feldman's Blog

Urgent: Contact Governor to Sign MY Two Health Care Reform Bills

Two of the only health care reform bills to pass the legislature are now on the Governor's desk-awaiting either his signature-- or veto by March 5.  The bills, which I sponsored, focus on health insurance reform (Senate Bill 226) and the creation of a "Healthy New Mexico" task force to confront the primary cost drivers in the system-chronic diseases (Senate Bill 129).

Call the Governor's Office at 505- 476-2200, write him at Gov. Bill Richardson, Office of the Governor, 490 Old Santa Fe Trail, Room 400, State Capitol Building, Santa Fe, NM 87501, fax him at 505-476-2226   or e-mail him through the Governor's web site ate www.governor.state.nm.us.

SB 226,  "Insurance Defense & Maximum Coverage," gives a little more edge to consumers vis a vis health insurance companies by making it harder for the companies to reject applicants with pre-existing conditions because the waiting period had elapsed, or the consumer made an inadvertent mistake on his or her application.  Under the new law applicants must be deliberately fraudulent in order to get turned down.  The bill also increases the maximum amount of yearly coverage permitted by the companies for some policies from $50,000 to $100,000.  Feldman worked with the Public Regulation Commission and the companies on this one. 

SB 129, the Healthy New Mexico Task Force, will mobilize the state against chronic diseases like diabetes, asthma and obesity through a coordinated plan for prevention, case management, and primary care.  Vermont started a plan several years ago like this called the Vermont Blueprint for Health" and they are making progress with some very inexpensive, common sense steps, while cutting health care costs.  $50,000 for this purpose is already included in the "Junior" budget bill.

The Governor is also holding office hours on Thursday Feb. 21 from 2-5 for ordinary citizens to voice their opinions on these and other bills. Any help you can give is greatly appreciated.

Last Thursday Morning Live at the NM State Senate: This Is Why Our Sessions Should be Web Cast

Thursday was the last day of the NM Senate, and the drama unfolding on the floor was proof positive that Sen. Mark Boitano's memorial to have sessions web cast live over the internet should go into effect immediately.  Boitano himself (who was absent that day) could have tuned in to see the departure of two of the Senate's most interesting characters, Joe Carraro and John Grubesic, a filibuster mounted by the environmentalists, and, finally, two of the Democratic leaders break down in tears just after the session went "sine die."  But that was only after the Senate passed a slew of controversial bills in rapid succession, including a cap on campaign contributions and an independent agency for public defenders.   

The environmental community aimed the filibuster, organized by Sen. Cisco McSorley, at killing two bills opposed.  One was sponsored by Sen. David Ulibarri, a new Senator from the Grants area appointed upon the resignation of Sen. Joe Fidel last year.  The bill would have cleaned up abandoned mines from the last boom, but only at the expense of bringing in new uranium operations, which would then pay the cost of the clean up with a relatively small fee on their production.   The bill passed at the very last minute on "concurrence"  (which is when the Senate verbally approves amendments made to it in the House).  Not so for the other bill opposed by conservationists and fiscal conservatives-the "TIDDs" bill for SunCal on the West Side.  The bill would have meant the shift of about $650 million in tax revenue to the huge development over the next 10 years to pay for infrastructure usually paid for by the developers themselves. Sun Cal had hired about 11 lobbyists to work this one, but the FIR, or the "Fiscal Impact Statement", was over 12 pages long.  This gave me enough concern to join in the filibuster myself.  I was just a relief pitcher, though, and was soon replaced by Sen. John Grubesic and then, Sen. Cynthia Nava, who read an impassioned statement about how disappointed she was in the session.  She said that the Senate Finance Committee had not even heard the bill to change the public school funding formula, which she and others had worked on for years, and she feared that, as a result, the state was subject to a lawsuit.   

Her disappointment echoed my own.  The Finance Committee also did not hear the Governor's health care bill, and refused to release a bill for a Health Care Authority, something that Rep. Danice Picraux and I had constructed as a Plan B, in case all else failed  (which it certainly did).  And, far from addressing universal coverage, the legislature actually reduced anticipated funding of Medicaid by $10 million, leaving thousands of eligible kids without medical care and over $30 million in federal funds on the table.

As the floor and the gallery began to overflow with family, friends and staff, Sen. Michael Sanchez officially gaveled the session to a close.  Thereafter, a series of awards were given to the departing senators and, surprise, to Sen. McSorley, who half-seriously remarked that "the vote on this award" must have been taken before his actions on closing day. For the final close, President Pro-Tempore Tim Jennings, with his young son Zeph at his side, extolled the virtues of the Senate  (which had earlier been called a "dysfunctional family" by departing Grubesic) --its independence, dignity, even handedness, and ability to represent the people better than any other branch of government.  As he began to break down with exhaustion, pride, and sadness, he praised the Majority Leader-Sen. Sanchez-- to whom he then handed the mike.  It was then Sen. Sanchez's turn to get emotional, as he recalled former Sen. Manny Aragon's tears on closing days of yore.

Also ...The 100th Bill Party

Every year there's a giant party for staff and legislators at the session called the 100th bill party, hosted by the lucky legislators who sponsored the 100th bill introduced in the Senate and the House.  Well, this year, I got caught, sponsoring the 100th bill in the Senate (it was to extend the solar tax credit-and did not pass) with Rep. Ken Martinez's number up in the House.  The party was a great feed on the last Friday night of the session, with music provided by the very popular Daren Cordova, and his family.  It was great, especially for the staff, who provide countless hours of service during the session doing everything from printing bills, keeping the official journal to emptying waste baskets and cleaning the bathrooms.  I'm usually too exhausted to party during the last week of the session, but my goal this time, since I was the hostess, was to dance with my janitor of ten years-- Eddie Lopez (no, not that Eddie Lopez) and discreetly, leave early.  Well, imagine my surprise when I got to La Fonda, surveyed the dance floor, only to see that Eddie, now wearing a big black cowboy hat, was the best dancer on the floor! Hmmm, this could be tricky. And I thought I was going to be doing him a favor.  Darn-I should have continued that UNM Community College class in County Western Dancing. While I was thinking of what to do, Eddie came over and asked me to dance. All I can say is that it was an aerobic activity, and a well-earned lesson in humility.

"Short" session of the 2008 legislature coming to a close

Dear Friends, Neighbors and Constituents

With only four days to go, the "short" session of the 2008 legislature is getting shorter by the minute.  We've accomplished our main task, which is coming up with a budget for state services and capital improvements around the state. The budget weighs in at $6 billion-a 6.5% increase in spending. This year we had far less money to work with, and although budget makers did their best, I am disappointed with the plan that we sent to the governor the other day.

Salary increases for public school teachers, college faculty, and state employees averaged only 2%, with a small "bump" for educational assistants to 3%-- some of the most underpaid personnel in our schools.  Medicaid, the federal/state program which provides health insurance for low-income people got far less ($10 million) than expected-in this year of health care reform.  This means that we'll loose the anticipated federal funds to provide nearly 10,000 more children with medical services.

As Chairperson of the Senate Public Affairs Committee, I have been very busy with all the different health care proposals, as well as some controversial issues like domestic partners and stem cell research, which have drawn overflow crowds. While the measure to allow stem cell research is still alive in the House, it appears that the bill giving domestic partners equal civil rights as married couples has failed.

The verdict is still out on the Governor's proposal to set up a hybrid public-private system to take us to universal health care.  As the clock ticks, the "Health Solutions" bill is still bogged down in the House.  In case it doesn't make it through the session, I have sponsored a measure to create a Health Care Authority (Senate Bill 225) composed of businesses, doctors, and health policy experts to come back to the legislature next year with a comprehensive plan for accessible, affordable health care. I'm not giving up on universal health care.  I'll be fighting for it as long as I'm here.

Meanwhile, one insurance reform measure I sponsored (SB 226), which will give consumers a little more leverage vis a vis insurance companies, seems poised to pass the House today.  But it is "small potatoes" compared to the kind of health insurance reform you said you wanted-- to curb discrimination against pre-existing conditions, and address rising premiums.

I am happy to report that my bill to create a task force to mobilize New Mexico against chronic diseases like diabetes, obesity, asthma, and others has fared well.  I have been able to include $50,000 to get this off the ground next year in one of the budget bills, and I am hopeful that it will not be vetoed.  Wellness, prevention and disease management is a MUST if we are to cut costs (and heartbreaks) in the medical area.  This was one of your priorities on the questionnaire; so, if you still feel that way, encourage the Governor to not veto Senator Feldman's funds for this purpose.

Unfortunately, ethics and campaign finance reform has taken a back seat this session.  The voluntary public financing bill has died in the House for lack of funds.  The ethics commission is stalled there as well, and a bill to limit campaign contributions is making slow progress through the Senate.

Back on the home front, I have been successful in inserting funds for local schools, libraries, open space, sidewalks and other neighborhood improvements in the capital outlay budget, and I am optimistic that the Governor will sign the bill, since we got it up to him in time to override any vetoes.

Thanks again to those of you who wrote, called, visited or e-mailed me during the session. Most of all thanks to those who completed my survey and sent additional comments.  I'm listening. I hope some of you get a chance to check out my blog at http://senatorfeldman.typepad.com where I'll be posting additional comments at the end of the session. Check out my website, too at www.dedefeldman.com where you can sign up for my electronic newsletter, if you have a connection.

Thanks again for the opportunity to serve you.  I appreciate your continued confidence and promise to continue to work hard for you.

Respectfully,
State Senator, District 13   

A Break in the Action before the Final Push… Early Warnings on Health Care, Special Session

I'm back home for a day off today before the big endgame in the legislature.  Here's what's happening as of Feb. 3.  The House has sent the budget over to the Senate, with several big omissions.  In spite of all the talk about moving to universal health care, the proposed budget doesn't even hold the line on Medicaid funding.  The federal-state program is $10 million short just to retain its present enrollment.  This could mean that, rather than adding 9,000 new children to the rolls, as the administration has proposed in "Health Solutions", we end up dropping 10,000.  Wow.  That's significant. Remember, the federal government pays 75% of the cost of covering these kids in New Mexico.  We'd give that up, though, to save $10 million.
 
If there was one thing that everyone on all the health task forces that I've served on in my 12 years here seemed to agree upon was that we should be maximizing the federal match. I've asked the Senate Finance Committee to restore the funding, but I'm not optimistic.  There's a basic level of mistrust between the finance guys in the legislature and the human services department on the Medicaid projections.  Not a good sign.

The other thing that everyone seems to agree on is that we need to focus on retaining and recruiting doctors, nurses and other health care professionals in New Mexico-especially, if more people are to have coverage.  But the House did not fund the request for about $1.5 million for that purpose, as the Governor had proposed. I've got a bill for $1.8 million for this purpose that I'll continue pushing for in the Senate Finance Committee… but it's frustrating, particularly when I've been listening for six moths now to opponents of health care reform who basically say we can't expand coverage at all because we don't have the providers.  Oh well, as the say, "Gusty Winds May Exist."

Meanwhile, the big enchilada, the "Health Solutions" bill has been amended to exclude any mandates for coverage either from employers or individuals, and has been referred to another committee.  It's now unclear whether it will survive the House - widely seen by proponents as the better bet.

This kind of gridlock may be typical for this stage of any session, and I remain optimistic on that count, but I wouldn't be too surprised to start hearing calls for a special session from the fourth floor this week.
 
On a more optimistic note, I was pleased to pass my SB 129 through the Senate, which calls for a mass mobilization against chronic diseases in New Mexico, starting with a task force to come up with a strategic plan to manage these diseases.  This will help cut our health care costs in the long run, through a common sense approach.  You can call the house committees to which it is referred in support, if you have a minute.  You can track this, and other bills, through the legislative web site at www.nmlegis.gov.

Obama mania hit Santa Fe on Friday, and I was part of history, getting stuck in the largest traffic jam to ever hit the City Different, and joining the huge crowd to hear Obama speak at the Santa Fe Community College. The logistics weren't so great, but Obama's performance was masterful.  The atmosphere was like a rock concert, but I would not describe him as a rock star - maybe a graceful prizefighter, or fine writer, whose controlled prose and movements hung together artfully. Biggest applause lines: support for art, music and, yes, poetry (this was Santa Fe, after all); a requirement for community service for student loans, and thankful that - whatever happens on Super Tuesday -- George W. Bush's name will not be on the November ballot.   I'm proud to be an Obama supporter. 

From the floor of the NM Senate…

This week marks the midway point in the 2008 legislative session, an the roundhouse has become a world unto itself, with most of us rarely leaving the building. We are moving through some controversial issues both in my committee( Senate Public Affairs) and on the floor.  But the heavy duty issues are going very slowly.  The Governor’s big health care reform bill, “Health Solutions” has yet to make it out of its first House Committee, and ethics and campaign reform measures have just recently been introduced.  It seems that the Governor didn’t send down “messages” to make the bills germane in this short session ‘til way late.  Tomorrow is the last day to introduce legislation.  Barring a big flood tomorrow it looks like we have a little less grist for the mill this time as a result of a new rule which requires that interim committee and Governor’s bills be introduced only in chamber.  But it still seems like we have miles to go.

The Senate Finance Committee Chair, Sen. John Arthur Smith, is doing his part to restrain requests for funding.  Everytime I pass his desk he says, “We have no money; we have no money… and we’ll have even less next year. “  He is especially discouraging when it comes to universal health care, which he sees as too expensive for New Mexico to even think about.   Too bad-- that’s been my highest priority for the past ten years, and with this goal at the top of the Governor’s agenda—it seems almost within reach.

Nevertheless, I have been working on all the health care proposals in good faith, both in the Public Affairs Committee and in a workgroup of Democrats and Republicans formed to find a compromise.  Right now it seems a little discouraging, but I am giving it the ole collge try.  We have got to come up with a program, given the skyrocketing health care premiums and the huge number of uninsured in the state.  Unfortunately, there are many who feel the present system is too difficult to change and who cling to their own plans.  Here’s hoping they don’t come down with a major illness.

Today—Tuesday—was an exciting day on the floor, as we debated our first major bill—embryonic stem cell research.  The bill, which would trigger research at UNM using embryos destined to be discarded, passed narrowly 20 to 18.  I supported it.  Kudos to Sen. John Ryan, and the bipartisan coalition that passed it in search of cures for Parkinson’s, Alzheimers,  and other diseases. Now it’s on to the House where the bill will face the same stiff opposition from the Catholic Church and other religious groups, who have flooded our in-boxes with e-mail, and our phones with calls from the East Side of the state. Stay tuned.

Another controversial bill legalizing domestic partnerships has made its way over from the House hit the Public Affairs Committee this afternoon.  Emotions were high, as proponents from the gay, senior and disabled communities told of their inability to make important medical decisions for their long time partners, and opponents cited Scripture and decried immoral behavior.  I had my hands full containing six preachers in a room full to the brim, without my trusty egg timer, which I use to allow each side equal time.

To make a long story short (and, not every Senator wants to do this),  the bill passed this committee on a party line vote, with all Democrats voting for it, and all Republicans voting against it.  We have certainly not heard the last about this one.

Obama Wins My Support for Feb. Election: Here’s Why

Senator Feldman (middle) at Santa Fe Obama rally

I cast my vote in the Democratic Caucus by absentee ballot this weekend, and after much agonizing, I voted for Barak Obama.  Now, obviously, I have more in common with Hillary Clinton, not just as a woman, but as a hard worker, a pragmatist, a policy wonk (o.k. I admit it) and a fighter for health care and children.  But as much as I like Hillary, I’ve always believed that real change comes from the bottom up—not the top down.  Obama offers the kind of leadership that can inspire young people and disenchanted 60s types, energize our democracy, moderate partisanship and restore faith in government.    

Face, after eight years of Republican leadership, our country is now like a car that’s broken down, by the side of the road, as events around the globe pass us by.  The occupants can look under the hood and debate the right way to fix the engine.  Maybe there’s even one among them that can figure out how to make the technical fix, eventually.  But what we need is a charismatic coach that can convince all of the occupants to get out and push—pronto. 

That’s Barak Obama.  We haven’t seen anything like him since Robert F. Kennedy.

Health Care Reform Debate Goes to House Committee this Week; Senators Wait in the Wings

There are now four major health care reform bills in the hopper in the House and Senate-with more to come. The Gov's bill, Health Solutions, is, of course, the big banana.  It's a hybrid public-private plan with 98 pages of insurance reforms, a health care authority and mechanisms for coverage (i.e. mandates for individuals and employers).  The Health Security bill is a different approach resembling Medicare on a state level, and it has many supporters.  For the second year in a row, Dr. JR Damron, a Santa Fe radiologist and former Republican gubernatorial candidate, has proposed the Health Exchange,  essentially a state brokerage to simplify the selection of private insurance policies.  Rep. Danice Picraux and I have suggested another version of a Health Care Authority to present a plan for universal to the legislature for debate during next year's long session. There's also a bill to plan for electronic claims submission by '09 and a plan for electronic medical records by '10.

There's more to come, including insurance reforms to prevent insurance companies from denying preexisting conditions and raising the price when subscribers get sick.  I've introduced some funding to retain and recruit health care professionals and a task force to plan for chronic disease management, and thus control rising medical costs. Those are important pieces of the puzzle regardless of what happens elsewhere.

It's a health policy wonk's dream, and I plead guilty to that charge… but for most legislators it's complex, arcane, scary stuff, and almost any excuse will do to put it off, tune out or beg off. That leaves fertile fields for those who'd like to preserve the status quo-and they are beginning to plow old grounds with claims that reform will "drive insurance companies from the state," "enslave doctors," ( this from the Rio Grande Foundation) and "create huge waiting lines" for urgent operations.   Refuting these bogus claims takes valuable time "off message," and diverts attention from the major fact of 430,000 people without insurance in NM, premiums rising at four times the price index, and studies repeating the conclusion that doing nothing is more costly than taking action.

It will take real citizen involvement, focus and leadership to move this issue forward.  But today's a good day-and I have faith.

The House Health and Government Affairs Committee will be tackling the bills this week in Room 309, and it should be a good show. Look out for amendments and substitutions.  Check out the legislative web site at www. legis.state.nm.us for more details.   Meanwhile the Senators have been caucusing and reviewing the proposals.  Stay tuned when they swing into action the following week. 

Health Coverage for the Uninsured A Top Priority in My Poll - Tough Health Insurance Reforms, Mandates OK'd

Sen. Dede Feldman (D-Bernalillo) is releasing the results of a survey that she sent to 5,000 of her constituents in late December.  Feldman represents District 13, which covers the near North Valley of Albuquerque, including Old Town and parts of the Westside and near-Heights.  "Representing the concerns of my district is my first priority, said Sen. Feldman, "and while this survey is not strictly scientific, it gives a strong indication of where my constituents want me to go."

Over 400 of her constituents have returned the detailed, ten-question survey as of Jan. 13th, with results still coming in.  This year, the results focused on two main issues-health care reform and ethics and campaign finance.

Among the results:
Health Coverage for the uninsured was the first priority for state funding, followed closely by Medicaid funding for uninsured children already eligible for the federal-state program.  Money to increase the state's education funding formula was third, with funding for more pre-kindergarten programs fourth.

Asked about the most important elements of health care reform, respondents prioritized increasing prevention and chronic disease management programs (first), recruiting and retaining health care professionals (second), and instituting a Medicare-style health insurance program for all New Mexicans (third).  The last choice of respondents was maintaining the present health care insurance system. 

Specifically,
* 91% want HMOs and insurance companies to devote a minimum of 85-90% of their revenues to medical care and not administration and profit
* 88% want to forbid insurance companies from refusing coverage to individuals with pre-existing conditions
* 88% want to restrict premium hikes based on health status and experience to no more than 10% rather than the current 20%
* 68% want to require employers to provide insurance coverage for their employees or pay a fee to the state so workers could purchase insurance on their own
* 57% approve of a mandate that all New Mexicans must carry insurance (with premium assistance for those who cannot afford policies)

To pay for health care reform:
85% of respondents favored increased taxes on soft drinks
77% favored contributions from hospitals and other health care facilities, which would no longer be paying for indigent and charity patients
66% favored payroll taxes like Medicare 
57% said they did not want a Gross Receipts Tax increase to pay for health care reform.

Respondents spoke out strongly for ethics and campaign reform, with 98% in favor of requiring lobbyists to disclose their clients and compensation, 97% favoring a limit on campaign contributions, 92% favoring open legislative conference committees, 89% favoring an ethics commission, and 81% favoring pubic financing for statewide offices.

Following a continuation of the Governor's Task Force on Campaign Finance Reform and Ethics, several of these measures are expected to be on the Governor's cal during the short session.

In other results:
* 83% said they were supporters of the Rail Runner
* 83% were opposed to tax breaks for the Desert Rock Coal Plant now proposed for the Navajo reservation
* 92% wanted tax credits for heating, cooling and energy efficient appliances
* 82% wanted cars sold in New Mexico to meet California emission standards by 2011
* 74% opposed tax credits for uranium mining
* 75% wanted increased penalties for gang crimes and gang recruitment

(Reminder - If you received the survey but have not returned it, please send it in as soon as you can.  You can view the survey at http://www.dedefeldman.com/Newsletters/2008/FeldmanNews07FF.pdf )

New Mexico Health Care Update

The Administration has finally rolled out a discussion draft of its universal health coverage bill, “Health Solutions, ”and it weighs in at 92 pages.  It’s chock full of details on insurance reforms and requirements, as well as the composition and function of the proposed health coverage authority.  The draft is available at the Governor’s web site under “new initiatives,“ and you can also link to it HERE.  The administration is welcoming comments, too before Jan. 3. E-mail  rubyann.esquibel@state.nm.us.

It’s still a mystery to me how the Gov. intends to get this one through the legislature, given that he’ll be on the campaign trail and not in Santa Fe to address the skepticism of the minority and key Senators that we can afford this in a slim budget year.   Which is a shame.  This is as close as we’ve come to real health care reform in over ten years.  I spoke about this and the whole process (I’ve been in deep) in a speech I gave to the Public Health Association on Dec. 7, called  “So Close but Yet So Far.” It gives a pretty good background (maybe more than you want to know) and you can link to it HERE.  Meanwhile, here are a few tidbits:

“First the good news: we are so much closer today—in both New Mexico and the nation to health care reform than we have ever been since the early ‘90s. Health care is now at the top of the domestic agenda and every presidential candidate, whether Democratic or Republican, has a plan to achieve universal—or almost universal coverage.  According to Celinda Lake, and other pollsters, 72% of the American public in principle favors providing access to quality affordable health care even if it means raising taxes.

Skyrocketing insurance premiums are the major concern.  And the concern will intensify in the next ten years, as premium hikes vastly outstrip wage hikes.  The average family premium now is about $12,000 per year, and is will DOUBLE in the next ten years…

The centerpiece of the task force’s activities was a study by Mathematica (a health consulting firm) which had this conclusion:   ‘Looking at it five years from now, it will cost only incrementally more to implement a universal health care system for New Mexico than it will cost to do nothing and let the number of uninsured New Mexicans increase every year.”

On Tuesday I presented the Health and Human Services Committee recommendations to the budget makers on the LFC.  Earlier in the day they had heard from Human Services Secretary Pam Hyde that Medicaid would need an additional $141 million in general fund rather than the 87 million she had requested in Oct.   The thought of grappling with—and especially funding—a complete system redesign—all in a short, 30 day session seemed to throw the chairman, and many of the members over the edge.  To say that the reception was frosty—would be an understatement.     Nevertheless, we will see plenty of attempts this session to begin the march toward universal coverage.  There will be several bills to establish a health care authority—from the Medical Society, the Health Care For All Campaign, the Administration and others.  The Health Security Plan’s advocates intend to introduce their bill as does, Dr. J.R. Damron, who has a plan for a Health Insurance Exchange. There also will be bills on insurance reform, electronic records, billing and IT, as well as transparency and cost controls. It will be quite interesting, by the way, to see which of these bills will be declared germane, and thus up for debate in a short session where the agenda is usually limited to budget and revenue items. On Tuesday I presented the Health and Human Services Committee recommendations to the budget makers on the LFC.  Earlier in the day they had heard 

All in all, the upcoming session will be a health policy wonk’s dream.   But the bad news is—with the fiscal forecast becoming gloomier by the day, the resolute opposition of the minority party to almost any change, and relations between the Legislature and the Governor’s office strained by the demands national political campaign this dream may turn into a nightmare of professional protectionism, bureaucratic infighting and paralysis brought on by special interests protecting their own purse.

We are So Close and yet So Far…and remember there are 400,000 New Mexicans caught in the crossfire. People without insurance do not have lobbyists in Santa Fe, so we need your activism to help bring us closer to affordable, quality health care for all New Mexicans.

In conclusion, I recently heard Ron Pollack, Director of Families USA, speak to Con Alma, about health care reform, and he said something that I feel was right on point for where we are today in New Mexico.  He said this:

“Too often health care reformers go home when their exact plan, their top choice is not adopted by the task force, the committee or the legislature.  But that leaves the status quo in place as the second choice.  We need to make a virtue out of our second choices—choices that can transcend partisanship and ideology and move us forward.”

We can’t leave the status quo in New Mexico—not when we have come this far—that’s why I’m asking for your help in finding that second choice—whether it is a health care authority that can move us forward, meaningful insurance reforms, prevention or cost avoidance measures. As difficult as I think this will be, this is our opportunity, and I hope you will join me in seizing it in Santa Fe come January.”

Hot off the Press... A Visual and Verbal Treat about One of Albuquerque's Sacred Spots

Bearing Witness:  25 Years of Refuge is a delightful collaboration between North Valley artist Margie O'Brien and local writer and teacher Lou Liberty. Bearing Witness has 68 pages of art, poetry and prose and a foreword by VB Price. It sells for $30; a limited edition is available for $50. 
 

It's  just been released in time for the Rio Grande Nature Center's 25th Anniversary, and will debut with a book signing Saturday Nov. 10 at the Rio Grande Nature Center State Park at 6:00 p.m. 

Seventeen of the original watercolors will be on sale at the Nature Center through Dec. 1.  This is sure to stir your heart strings, if you're at all called to the outdoors, right in our backyard, as I am.

Other book signings:
Nov. 11 (Sunday) at Bookworks at 3pm

Nov.18 at Acequia Booksellers at 3pm,

Nov. 27 at Page One at 7pm.