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2/25/18 Meeting – Issues and Actions

AAEV 2/25/18:  Speaker Issues and Actions

  • Kris: “Write down the first word that comes to mind in response to the words, ‘Susan Herrera.’” All responses were positive. ACTION ITEM: Vote for Susan Herrera for State House of Representatives in the primary on June 5. The primary winner wins the election, because there are no Republican/other party candidates running.
  • Cedar (in absentia): Abortion was finally decriminalized in this session. HB 75 and 76, which focused on abortion in the second trimester and were the focus of our action steps this past month, did not make it out of the Rules Committee. Democratic legislators defeated a bill requiring parental notification for minors seeking abortion. Thank you to everyone who called Debbie Rodella on these measures. NOTE: My search showed that Rodella voted Nay on Parental Consent but Yea on Prohibiting Abortion after 20 Weeks.
  • Lee: Getting out the Democratic vote this fall is critical. ACTION ITEM: Organize ourselves to go door-to-door to educate people and get out the vote.
  • Karen (in absentia): On Sunday, April 22, at 2pm at the Community Center, Dana Millen will speak on the New Mexico Health Security Plan, including how the plan will work and be financed and who will be covered for what services; and answer any questions and concerns. ACTION ITEM: Save the date and attend.
  • Cindy E.: Fund-raising for Susan Herrera. ACTION ITEM: AAEV will organize fund-raisers in the next two months. Each of us can donate individually at susanherrera.com.
  • Cedar (in absentia): Oil and gas drilling dangers: The NM Environmental Department’s (NMED) oil and gas drilling are among the weakest in the US. There is a methane “hot spot” over the San Juan Basin—the largest such anomaly in the country and determined to be mostly related to natural gas wells venting and coal mining in the Four Corner’s area, yet the NMED proposes that nothing be done about this health risk and global warming contributor. Additionally, the BLM has shortened the protest period on drilling leases from 30 to 10 days and will no longer be required to consider the effects of climate change as part of the permitting process. (At a time when NM has jumped from 5th to 3rd in the nation in oil production.) Finally, following a recent brine well collapse in Carlsbad, the lease holder responsible has “moved on” and left the cleanup to taxpayers. ACTION ITEM: Christine will ask Cedar for next step suggestions. Members asked how the relationship between the Obama-era moratorium on methane extraction figures into this; and also suggested hooking up with a progressive group in the Four Corners area.
  • Marcia: From her own personal experience getting to know Susan Herrera when they shared the LANL Foundation building some years ago, Marcia discussed Herrera’s strengths including her work in education, including public education around LANL, early childhood education with the First-Born Project, and programs to teach teachers how to teach science. Also pointed to Herrera’s emphasis on jobs and economic development, renewable energy, sustainable health systems, and protection of land and water. ACTION ITEM: Vote for Susan Herrera for State House of Representatives on June 5.
  • Stan: The six members of the Jemez Electric Co-op’s Solar Committee, including several from our group, met with officials on the Jemez Board. Our group was impressed that the board is willing to listen to appeals for investment in renewable energy and appears to want to help in that effort. They explained why they put off one renewable plan from investors in Chicago and are reportedly looking at three smaller renewable contracts. A number of electric co-ops are pushing against Tri-State. Our representatives, including Stan, Rob Stout, Chuck, and Robert?—can help them change. ACTION ITEM: Stay tuned.
  • Sheena: At a recent candidate’s forum people got together very quickly and wrote a great, new anti-herbicide memorial. Debbie Rodella, however, pushed a simple and less effective memorial that was passed in the House and tabled in the Senate. But we now have a good memorial that can pass in next year’s session. Alternatively, we can get groups together and take the proposal to the DOT to show them how much support it has. It’s clear that the measure is well supported. ACTION ITEM: Stay tuned.
  • Gaia: Proposed the idea of starting a “Friendship Bench” project in Dixon. The Friendship Bench program is a project started in Zimbabwe that trains community members to listen to, support, and offer helpful advice to people struggling with depression and other mental health problems while sitting comfortably on a sensitively-placed bench in the community. ACTION ITEM: Fundraising to make a mosaic bench; Gaia will then help local kids to make it with beautiful tiles. Weekend training by mental health professionals to train community members. Once program is in place, outreach will be needed to spread the word to the community that it is available.
  • Candace: We have a new generation working hard to change our culture of gun violence. There will be a March for our Lives led by these inspiring young people on March 24 in Washington DC and Albuquerque. Not sure about Santa Fe. ACTION ITEM: If there is a march in Santa Fe, team up and attend. If not, make signs and take a stand in Rinconada by the Impeach sign. Candace will send out email with further information.
  • Sheena: At the Rio Arriba County Democratic Party Ward/Precinct Nominating Convention on Saturday, several of us elected Dee to represent us in electing Democratic candidates for upcoming statewide elections at the Pre-Primary Convention in Albuquerque on March 10. We got together with Chimayo and NM Resistance folks. ACTION ITEM: We need one person to be the go-between between NM Resistance and us. Note: Becky initially served in this capacity and is no longer able to.
  • Shelby: We need to change the narrative when talking about gun violence: It is not about the second amendment. Nothing in the second amendment says you can have any gun you want. Additionally, we cannot allow second amendment talk to supersede our right to be safe in going about our business. ACTION ITEM: Call out the NRA for what it is: it’s about selling warfare. Make support for the NRA toxic for any legislator. Find out how all our representatives stand and vote on this issue. (Rodella is rated 100% by the NRA.) Shelby will find that out what our legislators did.
  • Becky: Freepress Action Fund (FreePress.net) is promoting a Congressional Review Act (CRA) that would overturn the FCC’s unpopular repeal of Net Neutrality protections. One more Senate vote is needed by May 21 and 75 House votes to pass this CRA resolution before the neutrality repeal becomes law. ACTION ITEM: Go to https://www.battleforthenet.com/onemorevote/ or https://act.freepress.net/signup/internet_one_more_vote to sign up for action on Tuesday Feb 27. Additional action items were mentioned in recent email to AllMembers.
  • Becky: The Steering Committee is looking for new/additional members. (No longer obligated to lead a general meeting.) ACTION ITEM: Please volunteer if you have a desire to contribute in this manner. So far, Dee, Candace, and Cindy Alford have agreed. Thank you!