House Appropriations panel target of lobbyist wining and dining
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House Appropriations and Finance Committee members have been special guests at two events at The Bull Ring steakhouse in downtown Santa Fe. Continue Reading
Bills to strip pensions from corrupt public officials languish
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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
Bills to fund public-works projects moving toward approval
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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
Compromise on bail-bond amendment passes House
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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
Senate OKs leaner budget, sends it back to House
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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
Driver’s license compromise heads to governor’s desk
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Gov. Susana Martinez has said she will sign the bill, which would end a bitter five-year political battle. Continue Reading
Senate kills recreational marijuana measure
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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
Senate committee stalls DWI, child-abuse bills
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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
Senate OKs proposed constitutional amendment to boost K-12 funding
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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
Lawmakers honor outgoing Rep. Lucky Varela
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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
It’s a crisis, our children are hungry
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We have an obligation to make sure every child is fed – and without them having to choose between 1st-hour reading or eating in the cafeteria because their bus may have been late. Continue Reading
Budget concerns cast cloud over session in final stretch
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Ever-shrinking revenue projections caused by plummeting oil and gas prices have cast dark clouds over the budget and forced lawmakers to deal with the possibility of deep cuts. Whispers about the need for a special session are growing louder every day. Continue Reading
Schools, lawmakers grapple with feeding kids breakfast
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Some say as it works now, Breakfast After the Bell disrupts learning time and creates a mess in classrooms. They would like to see the breakfast served before the first bell, preferably in the cafeteria. Continue Reading
Senate OKs 10-day timeout for young athletes with head injuries
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Players would be required to sit out at least 10 days after being diagnosed with a concussion if the bill becomes law. The current wait is seven days. Continue Reading
It’s time to create a transparent ethics commission
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Some want less transparency in the Ethics Commission’s operations. I believe one of the pillars of ethical conduct is transparency. Continue Reading