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Key Conservation Issues

Although many issues affect the health of our environment and communities, you will notice that only a handful are discussed here. They are the main issues addressed by the legislation included in this year’s Scorecard. As we add the votes and scores from past and future years, we will also add more information on other issues.

Air Quality

Air quality is a significant and growing concern in New Mexico. Experts link exposure to air pollutants to many adverse health effects, including exacerbation of asthma symptoms, diminished lung function, birth deformities, cardiovascular disease and childhood cancer. As many New Mexico families understand all too well, one of the most common health conditions caused or …
Read more about Air Quality »

Effective Government

Effective government (or “good government”) refers to the way in which elected officials exercise their political authority to serve their constituencies. Good governance, with respect to the environment, requires that decisions are made and implemented using legitimate (legal), transparent, participatory, responsive and equitable processes to achieve effective policies that protect New Mexico’s communities and natural resources. …
Read more about Effective Government »

Energy & Climate Change

Relying on oil, coal, and natural gas for the bulk of our energy needs is ultimately a losing proposition. Fossil fuels will peak and run out someday. In the meantime, they’re becoming increasingly less efficient and more environmentally harmful to extract. Burning them perpetuates so many problems (water, soil and air contamination, habitat destruction, oil …
Read more about Energy & Climate Change »

Environmental Justice

One of the greatest tragedies of “economic progress” is the wildly disproportionate burden of environmental hazards suffered by low-income communities, especially those of color. Certain communities suffer staggering health problems simply because they lack the power to fight back against polluting industries. Most Americans would immediately recognize this as unfair. Unfortunately, these communities also lack …
Read more about Environmental Justice »

Land

Acequias & Land Grants Acequias are community ditches or irrigation canals that are essential to northern New Mexican agricultural tradition and culture. Any proposed legislation that has the potential to positively or negatively impact acequia function or culture — usually pertaining to land use or water law – will be included in this issue category. …
Read more about Land »

Water

In the desert, more than most places, we are constantly reminded that without a clean, sustainable supply of water, we couldn’t survive. The challenge of meeting the growing demands for water with the same limited supply, and how we meet that challenge, is likely to define the future of our Land of Enchantment. Most New Mexican …
Read more about Water »

Wildlife & Habitat Conservation

The Land of Enchantment’s color palette is overflowing, from red rocks and vivid sunsets to rich green bosque and deep blue sky. We have it all: majestic mountains, lush valleys, stunning mesas and scenic desert landscapes. New Mexicans have a profound appreciation of the breathtaking beauty of our state and know that we are lucky to call it …
Read more about Wildlife & Habitat Conservation »

Bills

Topics:

  • Air Quality Air Quality
  • Effective Government Effective
    Government
  • Energy & Climate Change Energy &
    Climate Change
  • Environmental Justice Environmental
    Justice
  • Land Land
  • Water Water
  • Wildlife & Habitat Conservation Wildlife & Habitat
    Conservation

Priority Bill # Title Sponsors Topics CVNM
Position
Year
HB 4 Voting Rights Protections   more Gail Chasey
D. Wonda Johnson
Raymundo Lara
Javier Martínez
Katy M. Duhigg
Support 2023
HB 188 Economic Transition Division   more Anthony Allison
D. Wonda Johnson
Kristina Ortez
Angelica Rubio
Linda Serrato
Support 2023
SB 9 Create Legacy Permanent Funds   more Steven P. Neville
Peter Wirth
Support 2023
SB 418 Oil & Gas Act Changes   more Leo Jaramillo
Support 2023
SB 520 Clean Future Act   more Mimi Stewart
Support 2023
HB 42 Public Health and Climate Resiliency   more Kristina Ortez
Reena Szczepanski
Elizabeth Thomson
Elizabeth Stefanics
Support 2023
HB 121 Water Right Lease Effective Date   more Christine Chandler
Susan K. Herrera
Peter Wirth
Support 2023
HB 174 Underground Injection Fund   more Meredith A. Dixon
Nathan P. Small
Oppose 2023
HB 184 State Game Commission Changes   more Matthew McQueen
Crystal R. Diamond
Support 2023
HB 185 Enviro Standards for Appliances & Fixtures   more Kristina Ortez
Patricia Roybal Caballero
Support 2023
HB 218 Low-Income Public Utility Rates   more Cynthia Borrego
Derrick J. Lente
Kristina Ortez
Angelica Rubio
Mimi Stewart
Support 2023
HB 261 Expand Unlawful Taking of Big Game   more D. Wonda Johnson
Kristina Ortez
Gregg Schmedes
Support 2023
HB 276 Oil & Gas Permit Applications   more Christine Chandler
Andrea A. Romero
Support 2023
HJR 8 Legislative Salaries, CA   more Joy Garratt
Susan K. Herrera
Kristina Ortez
Angelica Rubio
Debra M. Sariñana
Support 2023
SB 9/a Create Legacy Permanent Funds, floor amendment   more Steven P. Neville
Peter Wirth
Support 2023
SB 53 Storage of Certain Radioactive Waste   more Jeff Steinborn
Matthew McQueen
Patricia Roybal Caballero
Debra M. Sariñana
Support 2023
SB 56 Distributed Generation Facility Supply Cap   more William P. Soules
Support 2023
SB 164 Future Oil & Gas Lease Royalty Rates   more Harold Pope
Bill Tallman
Debra M. Sariñana
Support 2023
SB 439 Leg. Approval for Certain Land Purchases   more Crystal R. Diamond
George K. Munoz
William E. Sharer
Oppose 2023

Know the Score > Take Action

Say ‘thanks’ … or, ‘no thanks’!

Tell your Legislators that you ‘know the score’

One of the best ways to influence the voting records of your elected officials is to communicate regularly with them. If your legislators scored well, it’s important to thank them and to support them. If you feel you weren’t well-represented by your legislators’ votes, it’s important to hold them accountable by letting them know what you think about their votes. The Scorecard is your key to staying informed on your legislators votes and getting in touch with them.

Communicate with the Governor and your Legislators

Whether you’re congratulating them on their score or expressing your disappointment, be direct, courteous and polite.
The most important part is letting them know that you are paying close attention to how they vote or, in the case of the Governor, what actions she takes on legislation that affects our air, land, and water.

Calling your legislator directly and sending letters through regular mail remain by far the most effective ways to communicate with your legislators.

The Governor and Lieutenant Governor can always be contacted at the State Capitol. Except during the legislative session, state legislators should be contacted in their home districts, as listed on the current Legislators page.

To find your House District number and Representative, visit our map here.

To find your Senate District number and Senator, visit our map here.

Join the Conservation Voters Movement!

We take on tough fights to protect New Mexico, but these efforts in the State Capitol and around the state require financial resources. We can only win when we work together. Please join other New Mexicans in becoming a Conservation Voter today!

Join Conservation Voters New Mexico today
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