NMPolitics.net (https://nmpolitics.net/index/category/news-and-analysis/page/106/)
The Senate majority leader’s blunt declaration — “This vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president” — was taken as the starkest exhibition yet of the obstructionism that has characterized the Kentucky senator’s stance toward President Obama and congressional Democrats. Continue Reading
Plenty of political observers faulted Jeb Bush’s performance as a candidate, often coming off as awkward on the campaign trail. Continue Reading
There are serious challenges to diversifying New Mexico’s economy: the bulky and complicated structure of the gross receipts tax laws, schools, public infrastructure and the workforce among them. Continue Reading
New Mexico lawmakers ended their 30-day session Thursday with high-profile compromises to boast about but still clashing over priorities in a state with a declining population and the nation’s highest unemployment rate. Continue Reading
A change in state law that would allow better distribution for an overdose reversal drug known as Narcan passed the Legislature late Wednesday night. Continue Reading
A leading state Senate Democrat is blasting Republican leaders in the Legislature for leaving a bill hanging that could have increased funding for the state’s K-12 public schools by about $100 million a year. Continue Reading
Lyft, a ride-booking company and competitor of Uber, could return to New Mexico if a bill that passed the Legislature during its last hours Thursday morning becomes law, says a sponsor of the measure. Continue Reading
For a 30-day session — one during which shifting economic forecasts necessitated a rewrite of the fiscal year 2017 budget — the session of the New Mexico Legislature that ended Thursday was arguably productive. From driver’s licenses to the state’s finances, Democrats and Republicans worked together to find compromise. Continue Reading
Many Democrats have said tough-on-crime bills sought by Republican Gov. Susana Martinez are politically motivated and meant to distract voters from New Mexico’s economic woes, as all 112 seats in the Legislature are up for re-election this year. Continue Reading
Members of Attorney General Hector Balderas’ staff walked out in protest Tuesday when a committee voted to exempt teens from prosecution in cases of “sexting.” That was on the minds of senators when they ejected Balderas’ staffers from the Senate floor Wednesday. Continue Reading
The $855,000, if the bill is signed by the governor, would build a new gate at the Santa Fe’s airport. Continue Reading
A larger unknown is what will happen when lawmakers convene in January 2017 to craft a budget for fiscal year 2018. “There is no fat left, there’s no lard left, there is nothing but bone left. So, if the economy doesn’t turn around, we have more unpleasant work left,” said Sen. Gerald Ortiz y Pino. Continue Reading
Pope Francis delivered a stirring message on Wednesday in Ciudad Juárez — a city recovering from years of its own death and destruction at the hands of warring rival drug gangs and law enforcement. The pope’s message held audiences captive on both sides of the river. Continue Reading
Sen. Daniel Ivey-Soto, D-Albuquerque, said Wednesday he is getting a bum rap over this week’s sudden death of a proposed amendment to the N.M. Constitution to create a state ethics commission. Continue Reading
The measure would allow 17-year-olds to vote in the primary if they will turn 18 before the general election. Continue Reading