Friends and Comrades-

Lots going on in the legislature right now! Let's get to it:

Frankly, there are so many bills moving through the legislature right now, it's tough to keep track of everything. Here's a few bills we're focusing on the their current status:

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Today, starting at 1:30, the House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee will be hearing HB 169, Public Expression Protection Act. This important bill will significantly increase protections against SLAPP lawsuits, which are often used to intimidate and curtail constitutionally protected speech. This is a long overdue bill in NM, which has some of the weakest anti-SLAPP protections in the country. Please contact the members of the committee and attend the hearings to support this bill!

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SB 216(Legalizing Rent Control) is currently in the Senate Health and Public Affairs Committee and is not scheduled for a hearing as of this writing.

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HB 128(Local Solar Access Fund) passed out of the House Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources Committee and now goes on to the House Appropriations and Finance Committee. You can sign up to help support this bill with Public Power New Mexico at this link.

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Finally, please be aware of HB 137(Strategic Water Supply Act,) which we and other allied groups are urging a NO vote on. This a dangerous bill that will risk the health of New Mexican by allowing wastewater from oil and gas exploration to be used for potentially dangerous purposes. It is being heard this morning by the House Agriculture, Acequias, and Water Resources Committee. Please contact them at this link and urge them to vote NO on HB 137!

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Are you looking to beef up your organizing skills and support out chapter's continuing efforts for Santa Fe's working class? Then please consider running in our upcoming chapter elections! These elections will take place at our February General Meeting and we need good, committed people to run!

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If you are a member in good standing, you can nominate yourself or another member of the chapter to run by emailing our Nomination Committee at [email protected].?

Our friends at Burrito Brigade Mutual Aid have been doing amazing work feeding free breakfast to dozens every Sunday morning, along with distributing sleeping bags and other cold-weather essentials to the unhoused.?

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If you'd like to get involved you can contact Burrito Brigade at [email protected]. If you would like to pitch in with resources, you can donate to our mutual aid fund.

Our Reading Group has rescheduled its final reading of Four Futures, by Peter Frase. Please join us for a discussion of this fascinating book that examines possible outcomes after the inevitable fall of capitalism.

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The first meeting will discuss the Introduction and chapter 1 of the book. It will take place Sunday, January 19 at 4pm at CHOMP Food Hall.

DSA depends on support from ordinary members, rather than corporate funding or grants. As we ramp up our campaigns to take on the millionaire and billionaire class in New Mexico, any donations you can provide will go a long way.