Republican joins Dems to advance House bill on open primaries
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A proposed constitutional amendment to allow all registered voters to vote in major-party primary elections advanced Saturday when one Republican sided with Democrats. Continue Reading
Roundhouse operator has helped keep sessions running for 32 years
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Don’t know who your representative is? Martha Canon is ready to help. She’s the longest-serving employee for the Legislative Council Service, which keeps the Roundhouse running smoothly. Continue Reading
Proposed amendment to give lawmakers a salary clears House committee
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New Mexico is America’s last holdout, the only state that doesn’t pay its legislators a base salary. Continue Reading
Senate panel to debate competing driver’s license bills Tuesday
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A state Senate panel will hear four proposals Tuesday that aim to make New Mexico driver’s licenses compliant with the federal Real ID Act. Continue Reading
Bill to create ethics commission clears committee without opposition
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After two high-profile political scandals in New Mexico in the last 10 months, 2016 may be the year the Legislature sends a proposed constitutional amendment for a state ethics commission to voters. Continue Reading
House panel kills bill that aimed to expand state’s voter pool
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State Rep. Javier MartÃnez came up one vote short Friday of keeping alive a bill to expand the pool of voters in New Mexico. Continue Reading
Leave driver’s licenses alone; issue an optional REAL ID card
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It’s now the job of state lawmakers in Santa Fe to do what we can to help New Mexicans get the documents they need to travel by air. Continue Reading
Poll: Support for legalizing marijuana widespread in NM
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More than 60 percent of New Mexicans support legalizing, regulating and taxing marijuana, according to results of a statewide poll released Thursday. Continue Reading
GOP lawmakers endorse bill to rehire retired cops
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Republicans on a House committee closed ranks Thursday evening to move ahead a bill that would allow retired police officers to return to work for up to five years while still collecting their pension benefits. Continue Reading
Charter school supporters tout ‘options’ at Roundhouse rally
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The rally came at a time when New Mexico charter schools are coming under increased scrutiny for both academic achievement and financial practices. Continue Reading
Senator blasts committee leader over slow process of confirming Martinez’s appointees
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One state senator criticized another for laziness and lethargy in holding confirmation hearings for appointees to state boards and commissions. Continue Reading
Perceptions of cronyism hurt state’s bottom line, report says
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The perception that government in New Mexico has a high level of cronyism is one factor dampening private investment in the state, according to a report released last week. Continue Reading
GOP license bill clears House; faces Senate opposition
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A major sticking point is the Republican plan to create driving privilege cards for undocumented immigrants, who currently can apply for a regular driver’s license. Continue Reading
State budget pain grows worse as oil price slides
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The crash in energy prices has torn a monster hole in the state of New Mexico’s budget. Continue Reading
Defense attorney group warns against tough-on-crime agenda
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As the New Mexico Legislature spends much of its time debating bills that would create more crimes, increase prison time and, in some cases, take sentencing decisions out of the hands of judges, other states are moving in the other direction. Continue Reading