NMPolitics.net (https://nmpolitics.net/index/tag/2016-legislative-session/page/4/)
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Nora Espinoza, who is running for secretary of state, would prohibit expenditures to defray “normal living expenses” for the candidate and his or her family members. Continue Reading
Once again, the state Senate has confirmed its status as the graveyard for ethics legislation. Continue Reading
We are the only state that expects the Legislature to approve a capital outlay bill without any system for planning, vetting or selecting projects. Continue Reading
And the people aren’t ready, yet, to rise up and make him. Continue Reading
Security crews denied ordinary people access to the gallery of the House of Representatives on opening day, when Republican Gov. Susana Martinez gave her State of the State speech. In response, Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez proposed prohibiting reserved seating during joint meetings of the House and Senate. Continue Reading
House Appropriations and Finance Committee members have been special guests at two events at The Bull Ring steakhouse in downtown Santa Fe. Continue Reading
With only days left in the session, the tough talk about strengthening a law on taking pensions from corrupt public officials has quieted. Bills that would do so have yet to make it to the floor of either chamber. Continue Reading
On Monday the House of Representatives passed — with only one dissenting vote — a $166 million bill for projects all over the state. And the House Ways and Means Committee unanimously recommended a bill already passed by the Senate that would authorize $186 million in projects. Continue Reading
Assuming the Senate gives a final OK to the legislation, the proposed constitutional amendment would be on the November ballot, letting voters decide whether to approve it. Continue Reading
The Republican-led House is expected to concur and pass the budget on to Gov. Susana Martinez, who can line-item veto specific spending items before signing it into law. Continue Reading
Gov. Susana Martinez has said she will sign the bill, which would end a bitter five-year political battle. Continue Reading
New Mexico won’t follow the lead of Colorado and other Western states that have legalized marijuana as a recreational drug — at least not this year. Continue Reading
A bill that would have allowed repeat DWI offenders’ sentences to be increased and a bill that would have increased punishment in some child-abuse cases did not pass the Senate Public Affairs Committee during its Sunday meeting. Continue Reading
In a near party-line vote, state senators on Sunday night approved a proposed constitutional amendment that would increase funding for the state’s K-12 public schools by about $110 million annually starting next year. Continue Reading
Luciano “Lucky” Varela, who is retiring from the Legislature at the end of the year, was a presence — often a fierce one — on finance committees. Continue Reading