New Mexico State Senator Dede Feldman's Blog

From Santa Fe.... News of the Weird from the Senate Health and Human Services Committee.

01/29/2006

From Santa Fe.... News of the Weird from the Senate Health and Human Services Committee.

Here's a story you won't get from the mainstream media: the strange tale of chiropractic treatment for non-humans ( Senate Bill 202, sponsored by Sen. Pete Campos). 

Yes, chiropractors are now treating dogs, cats, cows and other non-humans.... This is a trend I missed somewhere, what with all the talk of minor problems like the lack of health care insurance for a quarter of  New Mexico's humans, and the alarming high school drop-out rate in my district.

But obviously the huge cry for adjustments, tension release and good energy flow was loud enough for the Governor to give this bill a massage, over other trivialities like eminent domain, lobbyist reform and other matters. But hold your horses (so to speak), the canine chiropractors were cutoff at the pass by a posse of veterinarians who appeared before the committee with hypothetical horror tales of improperly diagnosed parvo, West Nile virus and Mad Cow disease. Quickly, the discussion became eerily reminiscent of the more mundane scope of practice disputes, which have appeared aplenty before this committee i.e. the psychologists vs. the psychiatrists, or, say, the optometrists vs. the ophthalmologists.

In the end, the committee tabled the bill (there were no non-humans there to protest, after all) and encouraged both sides to continue talking so that non-humans might receive chiropractic treatment with the proper supervision from their vets.   

Medical Marijuana

01/24/2006

From Sen. Dede Feldman, Chairman, Senate Public Affairs

The Lynn Pierson Medical Marijuana bill passed the Senate Public Affairs Committee unanimously.

      The Medical Marijuana Bill returned to the Senate today, with largely the same cast of characters appearing before the Senate Public Affairs Committee, both opponents and supporters. The bill was sacrificed in a last minute dispute over impact fees last year, and it was immediately apparent that the delay had taken its toll on the proponents, many of whom were ill with life threatening diseases.  That they returned at all is a tribute to their dedication and courage—and their ability to take political movidas in stride.
      
Take for example Erin Armstrong, a magnificent, articulate young woman who was diagnosed with cancer at age 18.  She has been through hell and back, yet she walks with a dignity and grace that takes your breath away. She was back this year to say that the doctor had discovered a new mass in her neck that needed a biopsy.  But she had  postponed her appointment so she could testify before our committee.  She wanted to ask us to allow her every option to relieve her nausea and to explore with her doctor when she went to discuss her treatment.

Kathryn DuBonet was also back—four desperately needed pounds lighter—proud of surviving AIDs for another year ( that makes 18), yet anxious for an answer from the legislature on what she said now was “truly a life and death situation.” “I don’t know what it’s like to not feel nauseous,” she said.

The DAs and the FOP were there as well, as usual, but they didn’t win the day with their arguments about federal law and bad behavior.  The committee, a year ago, had given their hearts – and their votes—to the patients who stood to benefit from what has become, over the years, a well thought-out Medical Marijuana program.

The Lynn Pierson Medical Marijuana bill passed the committee unanimously.

A Remembrance of Carol Kinney, Civic Leader

                                                            A Remembrance of Carol Kinney, Civic Leader

Remarks by Senator Feldman at a Memorial Service held Jan. 22, 2006 at the Hispanic Cultural Center

        Where to begin to talk about Carol Kinney’s five decades of community involvment?

       Shall we start with her lifelong dedication to the League of Women Voters…. her bipartisan spirit that encouraged debate and involvement—no matter where it led-- a spirit that led her in 1995 to support me, a liberal Democrat and environmentalist running for the Albuquerque City Council?   
Or shall we mention her years in Los Alamos during the ‘60s where she was the backbone of the Girl Scouts—an organization whose mentoring of young women has created generations of women  ( like her own daughters) who make a difference in their communities?  An organization that looks very modern today as we talk about giving kids something to say yes to, something that will substitute for gangs and drugs…

Most of us here in Albuquerque didn’t realize that Carol had been a Los Alamos County School Budget Commissioner, the president of the Los Alamos Hospital Board, the wife of a State Legislator and Regent, and the Chair of the Citizen’s Committee that planned the transfer of federal property to Los Alamos residents.  But it makes sense, in retrospect.   
Of course, I--  and many of us-- I think, will always think of Carol as Albuquerque’s grandest, most hospitable, generous First Lady, when she was married to Harry Kinney, who served as Mayor-- twice.   Her gatherings, her meetings, her parties were community events—community builders--in the best sense of the word.  At that time, as even more recently, her parties were not just functions—they were fun—for her as well as others.

        I’ll never forget how I saw Carol in the street one day where we were gossiping and laughing together at some current event, when she suddenly turned, looked at her watch and said with a laugh…. “Gotta go, got 200 people arriving at my house in 10 minutes.”

        Carol’s service to the NM Symphony and the SF Opera mixed freely during the 1980s with her involvement with the Nature Conservancy, the Rio Grande Nature Center and of course, her love of politics.

        I remember working with her for one mayoral candidate in 1989—Pat Baca.  At a stressed-out campaign meeting during the run-off campaign  (Baca lost to Louis Savedra, you’ll remember) Carol exuded an air of calm amidst our coffee stained, haggard staff.  Of course, who wouldn’t exude an air of calm when dressed in a formal evening gown a dashing coat and an elegant corsage?    Carol, of course, was going to the symphony—and why not combine that with a down-and-dirty campaign committee meeting?  It’s all public life,  It’s all public service.   

        Carol Kinney was a Ctizen first…..and  during the past ten years,  as she was joined by her magnificent companion Alan Levine… she became an important ally, with me, to restore public confidence and engagement in our democracy through campaign finance reform.  She saw it as an issue that cut across parties, classes and encouraged what she valued most—good government and participation in public life based on the idea that each person should have an equal voice, an equal chance to influence public policy based, not on money or fame, but on one’s willingness to get involved, to vote, to work for a cause, or to try and make things better. 

        An that’s what Carol did--- she got involved. She used her energy, her humor, her wit to support, Republicans, Democrats, children,  to organize the June Music Festival, to help refurbish the Governor’s mansion, to celebrate UNM’s centennial, to gather citizens who loved the bosque together to form the Friends of the Rio Grande Nature Center and get funding to establish one of our state’s finest parks.

        And she really enjoyed it.  I remember one time I had a Matanza in my back yard, not far from Carol’s house,  It was a campaign event and   I borrowed her chairs, as usual—remember, here was a woman prepared for big events—and at the party, she mentioned that Alan liked to play the accordion, socially, and next time, maybe he could participate.  Well, nothing to it….we called Alan-- who had stayed home,  and … in minutes,  he was strolling amongst the neighborhood crowd, playing broadway show tunes, along with the Garfield mariachi band and the Duranes Elementary School chorus. Carol was delighted.   

        I often feel that in today’s world there are too many consumers, too many media hounds, and not enough real citizens like Carol who genuinely loved pubic discourse, who took risks, who reached across party lines, who stayed curious and open as long as she lived -- never giving up on the community which surround and supports us all.

        Carol, I miss you already… Thank you for being my constituent, my friend and my role model.   
       

For Immediate Release Monday Jan. 16, 2006

Contact; Sen. Dede Feldman   220-5958

Wage Hikes, Campaign Finance Reform, Support for Medicaid and Teachers Are Priorities in 2006 Feldman Constituent Poll

When constituents in Dede Feldman’s Senate District 13 in Albuquerque are asked what to do with the state’s surplus revenue, the answers don’t involve spaceports or tax cuts, but revolve around health care and education
. 
As of the day before the session, the Albuquerque Democrat has gotten 423 constituent responses to her annual questionnaire, which was sent to 4,250 voters in the North Valley, West Side and near Heights.  Results are still coming in.

“It’s not a scientific survey but it gives me a feel for what people are thinking,” said Feldman.  “And a 10% response rate is not bad for a survey of this type.”

Fully funding the state’s Medicaid program was the top priority for the state’s surplus revenue, followed by funding a $109 million salary package for New Mexico teachers.  Eliminating waiting lists for services for the disabled, the elderly and children who are medically fragile was the third priority.

87% of respondents favored raising the minimum wage, with the suggested amount averaging $7.70.

Campaign finance reform proposals received high marks with 94% wishing to ban campaign contributions to the Treasurer, Auditor, AG, Land Commission and Secretary of State from those who do business with those offices.  A ban on gifts to public officials by those financially interested in the outcome was favored by 95%; requiring disclosure of expenditures by independent groups was favored by 96%.

87% of respondents favored public financing of state campaigns.

Opinions on whether the State Treasurer and Auditor should be elected or appointed were divided with 52% favoring appointment and 48% favoring election.

To improve the status of New Mexico’s children in “The Year of the Child,” respondents’ priorities included:  Providing health care insurance for all children under age 5 (#1); Supporting public education with adequate funding (#2); Providing physical education classes in elementary schools (#3); and Getting junk food out of the schools (#4).

To increase the number of New Mexicans covered by health care insurance, 85% of respondents want to expand Medicaid, 89% favor tax credits for small businesses that do not offer insurance, and 85% favor increased funding for indigent care.

Over 77% favor a universal health care system for all New Mexicans.
In safety related issues, 94% favor graduated penalties for repeat domestic violence abusers, 91% favor stricter anti-methamphetamine measures, and 92% want substance abuse treatment programs.

For Feldman, the most significant findings of the survey are the high degree of support for universal health care insurance and campaign finance reform.  “I think it reflects what’s been going on in the state this year, and how hungry people are for some real reforms,” she said.

For more information on the survey call Sen. Feldman at 220-5958.
                      
 

24-Hour, Toll-Free Suicide Help Line Goes Live, Statewide at 1-866-HELP-1-NM

24-Hour, Toll-Free Suicide Help Line Goes Live, Statewide at 1-866-HELP-1-NM

Governor Bill Richardson today announced the creation of New Mexico’s first toll-free, 24-hour suicide help line (1-866-435-7166). This line is designed to support New Mexicans who need immediate help, especially teenagers. This is part of the Governor’s “Year of the Child” agenda to keep our children safe, healthy and well educated.

At an Albuquerque news conference Monday Jan. 9th, Senator Dede Feldman, an advocate for suicide prevention programs for years, cheered the advance by thanking the volunteers who will be at the other end of the line. “With a shortage of psychiatrists and with 1 in 10 high school students attempting suicide each year – peer-to-peer counseling is very important,” she said.

Agora Crisis Center has operated an Albuquerque help line for 35 years with support from the University of New Mexico’s student government and Psychology Department. With the more than $200,000 of additional funding from the New Mexico Department of Health, announced today by Governor Richardson, the Crisis Center has made this number toll-free and expanded it to 24 hours a day. The center will also spend additional time marketing and promoting the line statewide.

The help line grew out of a Youth Suicide Prevention Task Force created by Governor Richardson that developed recommendations for reducing the devastation caused by suicide in our communities. Governor Richardson and Senator Feldman supported $520,000 in suicide prevention funding for the Department of Health during last legislative session, and both will be requesting more funds this year. The Governor will also be asking cell phone companies to allow users to call the toll-free number without being charged. Teens who use cell phones will not have to pay for the long distance call to the toll-free help line: 1-866-435-7166 or 1-866-HELP-1-NM.

For more information go to www.agoracares.org .

         

For Immediate Release:      
Wednesday Dec. 28, 2005

Contact: Sen. Dede Feldman   220-5958:   242-1997:    1-505-829-3085
                                                                                                
    
                                          Off-Highway Vehicle Law Goes into Effect Jan. 1, 2006
      
      That new all-terrain vehicle, dirt bike or snowmobile that appeared under the tree on Christmas Day, will have to meet new requirements according to a state law that goes into effect on New Year’s Day.

      Registration fees for the popular vehicles will go up to $17 for two years, and riders will have to pay a user fee on state lands that will be set by the New Mexico Tourism Department. Proceeds from the new fee, which has not yet been set but which is capped at $30, will go into a Trail Safety Fund to develop safe new trails and tracks on state land.  Non-residents will pay $17 in registration for a 90-day permit.

      According to the new law, sponsored by Sen. Dede Feldman and Rep. Bobby Gonzales, during the 2005 session, riders under 18 will have to wear helmets and eye protection and complete a safety training course, offered by an organization certified by the new Off Highway Vehicle Safety Board.  Riders under 10 years must be supervised by a parent, guardian or instructor at all times and must ride only appropriately sized vehicles.  All riders must abide by noise and speed limitations near houses, and not drive under the influence of alcohol.  Riders under 18 may not carry passengers.
 
      Riders who break the law are subject to a misdemeanor penalty and may have to attend a safety course as well.

      “Once this program is up and running, it will pay off big time by saving young lives,” said Sen. Feldman, who pushed for the measure for two years.  Feldman says that over 60 New Mexicans have been killed on ATVs over the past ten years, many of them inexperienced, untrained children who were not wearing helmets.  “Another little girl was killed just this summer,” she said. “It’s just heartbreaking.”

      Appointments to the Trail Safety Board, made by several different state departments as well as by the Governor, are currently being finalized. They will include local law enforcement personnel, OHV dealers and enthusiasts, health professionals, environmentalists, representatives of nine state departments, the US Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management.