b"The GOP should pick up this seat in the Rio Rancho and2023 WPMA State Report Albuquerque NW area. Two senior GOP individuals haveOREGON Fuels Association Reportalready announced their intention to run for the new seat: former County Commissioner Jay Block and former state Senator Candace Gould. The GOP could very likely flip a couple of Senate seats, making the Senate more balancedWELCOME with the help of a few conservative democrats.News Around New Mexico: TO Health Care: Health insurance premiums for public employees in New Mexico have operated in a deficit.SUMMER!The state is currently $120 million in the red. It has kept premiums flat even though medical costs have soared. The state is now asking cities and counties to cover these costs with no consideration regarding their budgets evenTracey Anderson though the state has mishandled the funds. State Legisla- OFAtors are demanding an explanation from the GovernorsExecutive Director The sun appeared to issueoffice and are asking the State Auditor to get involved.a welcometo the most be-The powerful (LFC) Legislative Finance Committee isloved of all seasons in Oregon, also seeking to find answers. Summer! Some of us held theTax Rebate: All New Mexico taxpayers will be receiv- belief that it was holding outing a tax rebate from the state. These rebates are possiblein solidarity with the Oregon because of the $2.8 billion dollar surplus provided bySenate Republicans but it is now Oil & Gas revenues. Each taxpayer will receive $500, orhere, celebrating the beginning $1000 for married couples. Rebate checks should startof a new chapter for Oregonians arriving in late June. which was long in coming. Clash at Chaco: Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, a OregoniansNative American from New Mexico verbally clashed with Native American activists regarding the Interior'sNow Have Choiceban on drilling within a 10-mile radius of Chaco Canyonat the PumpCultural National Historic Park. Haalands trip to ChacoOregons long 2023 legislative was canceled when a large group of Navajo land allot- session has been one with multiple ment owners blocked the road, upset with the Bidentwists and turns, including the administration's recent decision to enshrine drilling inlengthy Republican walkout on the area for the next 20 years. Protestors held up signsthe Senate side, beginning in go home no trespassing on allotee land. The Navajoearly May. This walkout denied Nation's frustration is this ban will stop oil and gas rev- quorum and was a direct objection enues to land allottee owners, severely limiting potentialover the statutory requirement income for Navajo landowners.that each bill include a bill sum- US Supreme Court Decision on Wetlands: The USmary that meets a readability test, ensuring any person with Supreme Court voted to strip federal agencies of authorityan 8th grade reading level over millions of acres of wetlands. The ruling impactscould understand it. While not New Mexico by significantly expanding the ability oftypically an issue prior to this farmers, homebuilders, and other developers to dig up orsession, it did coincide with the fill wetlands near rivers. New Mexico Governor Michellepassage of House bills regard-Lujan Grisham is directing her administration to identifying abortion and gun control, regulatory gaps that can be filled at the state level.effectively delaying final votes The Governor along with the Biden administration willon these issues, as well as HB continue to find regulatory gaps to work around the2426, allowing choice forSupreme Courts decision. self-service at the pump. Court Rules Against Navajo Nation in WaterJust a week short of the scheduled Dispute: The Supreme Court ruled against the NavajoJune 25th sine die, the Senate Nation in a dispute involving water from the drought- Republicans returned to the stricken Colorado river. The Biden administration hadfloor and in the late afternoon of said that if the court were to come down in favor of theJune 21, 2023, history was made Navajo Nation, the federal government could facelawsuits from many other tribes.SWPMA News / Scholarship 202327"