Gallup Sun

NON-ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES CLOSE IN-PERSON SERVICES FOR TWO WEEKS

SANTA FE — During her Nov. 13 press conference, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham laid out a plan to close certain businesses for two weeks starting Nov. 16.

The governor said businesses deemed “non-essential,” and nonprofits, are required to cease in-person services until Nov. 30.

Non-essential businesses include barbershops, salons, and gyms. Food and drink establishments have been instructed to halt on-site dining, but can offer curbside and delivery services.

Houses of worship can operate at either 25 percent of the maximum occupancy or 75 people at any time, whichever number is smaller. Lujan Grisham said New...

While widespread distribution is still months away, pharmaceutical giant Pfizer announced that New Mexico would be one of four states to participate in a pilot delivery program for the distribution of its COVID-19 vaccine, though this does not mean the state will receive doses of the vaccine before other areas.

Pfizer announced earlier this month that a preliminary analysis found that the vaccine was over 90 percent effective in preventing illness.

New Mexico—along with Rhode Island, Texas and Tennessee—will take part in the pilot program, which will not include any early distribution of the vaccine.

“The four states included in this pilot program will not receive vaccine...

Seeks to Secure Adequate Funding to Improve Agency’s Mission

SANTA FE— New Mexico Department of Veterans Services Secretary Sonya L. Smith who was appointed to the position in October, testified before the New Mexico Legislature’s Legislative Finance Committee Nov. 16, seeking approval of the agency’s proposed $4.9 million budget for fiscal year 2022.

Secretary-Designate Smith testified that the amount is needed to carry out the vision for the agency’s mandate of assisting the state’s approximately 154,000 veterans and their families.

“Our veterans deserve our agency’s very best efforts—especially after dealing with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic,”...

SANTA FE — The Office of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Nov. 12 announced her new chief of staff would be Matthew L. Garcia, as John Bingaman will step down to pursue other opportunities.

Bingaman served in the role since the outset of the administration,

Garcia previously served as the governor’s general counsel, leading the administration’s legal representation and strategy. Prior to that, he worked as one of the state’s top civil rights attorneys; earned his law degree from the University of New Mexico as well as a master’s degree from Harvard Kennedy School in Cambridge, Mass. He also completed a Fulbright Fellowship at the Helsinki School of Economics.

Bingaman...