NMPolitics.net (https://nmpolitics.net/index/author/heath-haussamen/page/295/)
While Gov. Bill Richardson says he’ll carefully review the budget bills awaiting his action, he told the Albuquerque Journal that he is concerned about “excessive cuts to state agencies” and “dramatic cuts to Medicaid and other services.” Continue Reading
On a vote of 31-9, the Senate has approved a bill that would make deep cuts to state government. The bill now heads to the House for a vote on whether to concur with several amendments. Continue Reading
The Senate has voted to uphold an amendment to add a requirement that staff compile a list of at least $150 million in potentially cutable capital outlay projects to a bill that would make widespread reductions in state government. But that came only after tensions erupted over some serious allegations made against Senate leaders. Continue Reading
The New Mexico Senate voted this afternoon to add a requirement that staff compile a list of at least $150 million in potentially cutable capital outlay projects to a bill that would make widespread reductions in state government. Now, the body is considering a second amendment that would use that money to reduce cuts to state agencies and avoid education cuts. Continue Reading
The Las Cruces Sun-News continued its profiles of upcoming city council races today, taking a look at the District 5 contest between incumbent Gil Jones and challenger Gill M. Sorg. “It’s experience vs. independence,” the article’s headline states. Continue Reading
The House approved late Thursday a newly reworked budget bill that makes deep cuts – 7.6 percent – to most state agencies, but smaller cuts to education, including trimming less than 1 percent from the budgets of K-12 schools. Continue Reading
The Las Cruces Sun-News profiled earlier today one of three city council races on the ballot in the Nov. 3 election. Discussion in the District 3 race between incumbent Dolores Archuleta and challenger Olga Pedroza has centered primarily on the economy and neighborhood improvements, the newspaper reported. Continue Reading
UPDATED: House Bill 17, which would implement some $220 million in cuts to most state agencies, public education and Medicaid, contains an interesting provision related to the state’s district attorneys. Continue Reading
House Bill 17 would implement some $220 million in cuts to most state agencies, public education and Medicaid, but it wouldn’t require the governor to trim his staff of hundreds of exempt employees. Instead, it states that he is “encouraged” to do it. Continue Reading
The State Investment Council has learned that Gary Bland, who resigned Wednesday, pressured investment firms to hire certain placement agents, Land Commissioner Pat Lyons says. Continue Reading
The primary bill aimed at addressing the state’s massive budget shortfall – legislation that includes cuts to education and Medicaid – was unveiled late Wednesday and passed the House Appropriations and Finance Committee on a vote of 11-6. Continue Reading
The state’s top investment officer, Gary Bland, resigned Wednesday in a letter to Gov. Bill Richardson. His resignation comes in the middle of a pay-to-play scandal involving state investments that’s the subject of federal and state criminal investigations. Continue Reading
UPDATED: During a discussion today about whether lawmakers should voluntarily reduce their per diem, Sen. Richard Martinez accused some of abusing the system. He didn’t name names but did give a few hints about who he might be referring to. Continue Reading
Lt. Gov. Diane Denish plans to meet with school superintendents on Thursday to urge them to cut energy use in their districts. Continue Reading
“Few here are willing to discuss, much less confront, the fact that we now have recurring expenditures which are exceeding recurring revenues by about $1 billion,” says state Rep. Joseph Cervantes, D-Las Cruces. Continue Reading